CARE | RUBBER,SILICONE 2012.06.01
Care & Maintenance Recommendations for Apollo Scuba Equipment Rubber & Silicone Components
Rubber is a natural product and some deterioration can and should be expected after a period of time. Please check all rubber components on your scuba equipment prior to use.
Please use this information guide as your reference to the care and maintenance of all rubber components on your scuba equipment.
HP and LP Hoses should be checked for:
Leaks
Cracks or scarring
Rust or dents on the hose couplings
Bulges
Slower than normal filling of the submersible pressure gauge
Should you notice any of the above DO NOT USE THE SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Return your scuba equipment to an Apollo Authorized Service Center for inspection. In addition, when the hoses are used for over 3 or 4 years, may need to be changed depends on the direction or and storage.
Regulator 1st Stages, Primary 2nd, Octo, Bio-filter and Bio-micro should be checked for:
Air leaks around port plugs
Air leaks from the hose swivel joint on the primary or secondary regulator
Air leaks anywhere from the Bio Filter
Air leaks between the first stage and the cylinder valve
Damage to the mouthpiece
Should you notice any of the above? DO NOT USE THE SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Return your scuba equipment to an authorized Apollo dealer for inspection.
Have your Scuba Equipment serviced by an Apollo Authorized Service Center on an annual basis or more frequently if the Equipment has high usage to minimize the possibility of equipment failure.
Drysuit Valves should be checked for:
Continual inflation or deflation of inlet valve
Continual deflation of main exhaust or ankle valves
Water entry in to the suit around the valve
Stiffer than normal inlet valve
Stiffer than normal exhaust valve
Should you notice any of the above? DO NOT USE THE DRY SUIT. Return your scuba equipment to an authorized dealer for inspection. Have your Dry suit serviced by an Apollo Authorized Service Centre on an annual basis or more frequently if the Dry suit has high usage to minimize the possibility of equipment failure.
Fins, Masks and Snorkels should be checked for:
Cracked boot pocket
Cracked Fin Blade
Cracked mask or fin strap
Deterioration of the Mask Flange including, cracks, splits and deformation
Snorkel Valves Diaphragms - Clean and in place
Should you notice any of the above? DO NOT USE EQUIPMENT. Return your scuba equipment to an authorized dealer for inspection.
Bio Fins are made from natural rubber and thus have a natural aging and deterioration process. Apollo impregnates the fins with special ingredients to help prevent the deterioration of the fins. After some use you may notice a white residue on the fin, the Bio Fin is designed to do this and is part of the process to help reduce the fins natural deterioration. Don't bend rubber while keeping. That becomes cause of the deterioration.
Natural rubber tends to get surface cracks after a period of time. This is a normal aging process for rubber products.
Do not use UV sprays or other lubricants. While these products may be suitable for synthetic rubber, oils from these type of products are harmful to natural rubber.
In some cases Fins made of rubber with white or lighter color may interact with dirt and cause red or pink discoloration on the surface of the fin . Discoloration is permanent and cannot be removed.. Methylobacterium located in the air by wind out of the soil is bred by the water and its scale produce red pigment. Fungus itself is low toxicity and it does not affect to physical properties itself.
Spring strap hardware is stainless, not stain proof. Over time salt water can get trapped in screw threads making it difficult to remove. To maintain cosmetic appeal and keep hardware serviceable, occasionally remove screws for fresh water rinse and brush to remove any build up. You can lubricate the screws. Oils can deteriorate rubber, take care to avoid direct contact with fin.
Masks and valves are made from Silicone rubber, don't leave after using oil products such as sunburn oils, shampoos etc. That becomes cause of the deterioration.
BCD should be checked for:
Continual inflation or deflation of inflator valve
Continual deflation of the exhaust valves
Leaks around or from the inflator valve
Leaks around or from the exhaust valves
Leaks from the bladder
Correct and safe function of the tank band assembly
Should you notice any of the above? DO NOT USE THE SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Return your scuba equipment to an authorized Apollo dealer for inspection.
Over a period of time the bladder on a BCD deteriorates due to Ultraviolet light and Ozone impregnating the material and lining of the BCD which can then harden the material and then cause leaks. Apollo does not recommend that BCD'S over 10 years old are used. Please note that the BCD bladder is not repairable.
Have your Scuba equipment serviced by an Apollo Authorized Service Centre on an annual basis or more frequently if the equipment has high usage to minimize the possibility of equipment failure.
Second Hand Scuba Equipment:
If you purchase second hand Apollo scuba equipment have it overhauled and serviced by an Apollo Authorized Service Center to minimize the possibility of equipment failure. Please note that parts are not always available for older models of Apollo Scuba Equipment.
Equipment cleaning and Storage:
After diving wash all equipment in clean water
Dry the equipment out of direct sunlight
Ensure that the equipment is 100% dry before storage
Store scuba equipment in a dark area away from direct sunlight and florescent lighting.
Do not bend Drysuit zips when storing
Do not bend regulator hoses when storing
If you are unsure that your Apollo Scuba Equipment is in 100% operational condition then DO NOT USE THE SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Take your scuba equipment to an authorized Apollo dealer for inspection.