Scuba Mechanics: Equipment Technician Course

Because the sport of diving relates so much to equipment, the first question potential employers always seem to ask is "can you repair equipment?" Unfortunately, many instructors and divemasters have a general idea of how a regulator works but no concept of how one is properly serviced. This puts them at a disadvantage in the job market. The demand by dive facilities and resorts for technicians is high. But individuals with specialized training in the theory and service of SCUBA life support systems and related equipment is low. It is critically important that technicians are properly trained to use standardized procedures in disassembly, inspection, parts repair/replacement, cleaning, assembly, testing, and final adjustment of diving equipment. Manufacturers offer clinics and seminars to dealers for certification to repair their products. (Due to product liability, issuing certifications to work on different individual brands is the manufacturer's exclusive right.) Some seminars are very comprehensibe and involve one or two days, while others may only require a couple of hours. These programs are not designed to train the serviceperson outright. Any potential tehcnicaian must have a certain level of equipment repair knowledge to really benefit. That's where this course fits in: It's an alternative to a long-term, learning by mistakes-type apprenticeship method of acquiring repair skills. The ScubaMechanics Equipment Technician Course (there's also a 3 night, non-technician course for sport divers) is a 5 day, 40 + hour program. Each day includes class lectures, repair workshops and knowledge reviews. At the end of the course a Manufacturer's clinic will be held. Regretably, we are not able to determine which Manufacturer's technician's will be available for any specific course (however, the material covered in the course will provide ample knowledge to repair any brand of equipment - once you receive the rating from the manufacturer). The student will receive the ScubaMechanics Equipment Service Technician Course Workbook, and will be responsible for purchasing the text, "SCUBA GEAR: The Diver's Guide to Equipment" (by Lex Ballantyne, your instructor) and the required tools (available from Dive USA). Topics of Practice and Lecture: Tools of the Trade Regulators Alternate Air Sources Instruments Buoyancy Control Devices Cylinders Valves The Professional Repair Facility Prerequisites: Certified Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor from Nationally recognized Agency.