The Scuba Gear Lab

Dive Computer Maintenance Checklist: Battery, O-Rings, and Calibration


Listen Later

Your dive computer is doing critical decompression math every second you're underwater, yet most divers treat maintenance like an afterthought until something fails. In this episode, Ray Hollister walks you through a complete dive computer maintenance checklist covering battery replacement schedules, o-ring inspection and replacement, sensor calibration, software updates, and the physical care habits that keep your computer reliable for years.

• Replace user-serviceable batteries annually or every 100-150 dives, and always replace the battery compartment o-ring every single time you open it, even if the battery is fine.

• Inspect all o-rings every six months under good lighting, checking for cracks, flat spots, discoloration, and texture changes, and replace them annually regardless of visible condition.

• Verify depth sensor accuracy annually at a known depth (should read within ±1 foot at 30 feet), and run the computer's self-diagnostic routine monthly to catch sensor drift or calibration issues.

• Check for firmware updates every 3-6 months and always update at least one week before a major dive trip, never mid-trip, to avoid bricking your computer when you need it.

• Send your computer for manufacturer calibration and pressure testing every 2-3 years or 300-500 dives, which typically costs $75-150 and includes recalibration, seal replacement, and firmware updates.

Links to any products or resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://thescubagearlab.com/dive-computer-maintenance-checklist.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Scuba Gear LabBy The Scuba Gear Lab