Maintaining your scuba gear is imperative and that includes getting your tank inspected regularly, read on for all the prices of visual inspections, hydrostatic test prices and refilling your air.
You should expect to pay between $15-$25 for the first annual inspection, thereon the tank should be inspected every five years. It will then cost $55 (£45) for the hydrostatic tests, prices have gone up over recent years, but it’s worth finding a trusty local shop that takes pride in their work.
Getting your tank inspected regularly is important regardless of the price, it’s part of being a responsible diver and should be done for your own safety.
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How Much Does it Cost to Inspect a Scuba Tank?
It costs between $15-$25 (£10-£20) to get your tank inspected, this covers the visual inspection. After your inspection, you will then be required to get hydrostatic testing every five years which costs $55. This usually includes the air fill too, but some places have an additional charge for air.
Here are the prices broken down:
- Visual Inspection – Visual inspections are required by law in the UK and US and is around $15 for a trained inspector to thoroughly look the cylinder over.
- Air Filled – This is at the shop’s discretion with some companies filling the air for free during service but most dive shops charge $10-$15 (£5-£7.50).
- Hydro Testing – A re-qualification of the hydro testing is the most expensive of checks with it coming to $55 in the US and £45 in the UK for a new hydrostatic test.
- Oxygen Cleaning – If you need O2 cleaning, then this will come at an additional charge. Most O2 cleaning services are $40 (£60).
Read on for more details on the law and how often these checks are expected.
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How Often Does a Tank Need to be Inspected?
In the UK and US visual inspections of scuba tanks should be made both internally and externally every 30 months. Once the first annual inspection has been made, you’re required to get hydrostatic testing every five years.
In the US, federal regulations are not mandated but the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) recommend an annual checkup to be on the safe side. Although as previously mentioned, law in the UK states that you are only required to get a visual inspection every 30 months.
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Who Should Inspect Cylinders for You?
Your scuba tanks should only be inspected by IDEST trained technicians that have undergone their technical certificates for services. When they have checked your cylinder, they will then update the date on the tank and add a sticker to prove your tank is safe.
The inspectors have been trained specially and you should not inspect the tank yourself. With that said, if you notice any corrosion or peculiar marks on any tanks, do not use it and get it checked immediately.
What is a Visual Inspection?
When you first get your scuba tank, it will need to undergo a visual inspection by IDEST trained technicians, they will take the tank and look it over with a trained eye. They’ll be searching for signs of corrosion and also ensure that the valve and threads are safe for use.
Most dangers on tanks occur from the threads and that’s why they take a look at the tank, making sure they inspect it both internally and externally. The inspector can then decide if the tank is fit to undergo a repair or if it needs to be disposed of. Visual inspections are thorough and the training from the IDEST inspectors ensures they are able to spot any hazard signs.
All equipment should be serviced and if repairs are needed then will receive an additional charge, most local dive stores with an IDEST technician will be able to offer a valve rebuild and other repairs for your equipment. With the impact of salt water, it is integral to service all scuba gear.
Aluminum tanks Before 1990 cannot be hydro tested, these scuba tanks will fail visual inspections, the scuba tank will be over its lifespan.
How Much Does it Cost to Hydro Scuba Tank?
People in the US, the UK and most other countries worldwide are required by law to get a hydrostatic test every five years. It will be $55 (£45) to get the hydrostatic test for your hydraulic cylinder.
You can look online or check out your local dive shops that will service and ensure testing on your tank. Contact the same shop for more inspections and services with more details on cleaning, valve rebuilds and test options.
