How to Remove Dried Salts From SCUBA Regulators

For divers, a regulator is your lifeline when on a dive. Without a properly maintained regulator, a dive can be dangerous, even deadly. Therefore, you want to check your regulator's knobs and purging mechanism for salt accumulation. If you notice bubbling from the second stage of your regulator, it's a sign of accumulated salt. A simple douse in warm water will dissolve the salt away, and your regulator will be good as new.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Warm water Bucket Regulator setup Towel Scuba tank
Warm water
Bucket
Regulator setup
Towel
Scuba tank

Step 1

Fill a bucket with water hot enough that you feel comfortable to submerge your hand in.

Step 2

Secure your first stage dust cap on your regulator setup.

Step 3

Immerse the regulator in water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the regulator, then place it on a towel. You will want to turn any knobs on the second stage to both feel and listen for resistance, which could include a salt buildup. If a salt buildup is detected, repeat steps three and four.

Step 5

Connect the regulator back to the scuba tank. Then turn the air valve back on.

Step 6

Submerge the regulator in warm water to check if bubbles emerge.

Step 7

Push the purge valve briefly. Then twist the second stage knobs at least two to three times. Make sure it's still immersed when you're doing this. Once again, check to see if bubbles emerge once you stop pushing the purge valve.

Step 8

Soak the regulator for 10 to 15 minutes. However, if you detect any bubbles, you will want to repeat Step Seven.

Step 9

Take the regulator out of the water. Then turn off the scuba tank. Disassemble the regulator from the tank. Then lay the regulator on a towel to dry.

Tips & Warnings

You may find with excessive salt accumulations that after you have done Step Four, you may need to pour hot, but not boiling water, over the knobs. Then use a towel to carefully turn the knobs. If you still experience excessive bubbling after doing these steps, you should seek assistance from an regulator equipment specialist. They will want to check for possible O-ring problems.

You may find with excessive salt accumulations that after you have done Step Four, you may need to pour hot, but not boiling water, over the knobs. Then use a towel to carefully turn the knobs.

If you still experience excessive bubbling after doing these steps, you should seek assistance from an regulator equipment specialist. They will want to check for possible O-ring problems.

Article Written By Krista Raye

Krista Raye is a Steel Magnolia who began writing professionally in 2009 with eHow, Answerbag and Trails. She has 10 years teaching experience in middle and high schools. Raye holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Bachelor of Science in secondary English education and a Master of Arts in adolescent English education.

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