In my previous entry I told you of a little equipment issue that had come about due to poor servicing by my LDS. I have been thinking about this a lot since I noticed it because I really am not sure how exactly I am going to approach it with them. I know exactly what their approach will be, and that will be to: FIRST - make up excuses and say that the earth's gravitational pull was strong that day and that is why it happened, SECOND - tell me it is my responsibility to check the equipment before it leaves the store and THIRD - to take their equipment course.

FIRST - No excuses please when there is a mistake with my "life support equipment". I do however breathe through the reg and the octo before I leave to make sure they "function" but checking for a tight screw...never. Mistakes happen, but when dealing with equipment like SCUBA equipment, your servicing procedures should ensure nothing happens.

SECOND - Do I check the lug nuts on my tires to ensure they have been properly torqued when I leave the garage? Do I make sure the head has been properly secured to the engine block? NO!!! This is a job which, due to it's specialized nature, must be handled entirely by the LDS.

THIRD - I do agree that an equipment course would be worthwhile, but only if it was on equipment that was almost identical (or not unique in any way) to my own equipment. Learning how to service someone else's equipment does me no good. HOWEVER, just because I took a course does not waive any responsibilities of the LDS to service my gear properly. I go back to the tires/lug nuts analogy....no I will not as I should not have to if the mechanic knew what he was doing and was qualified.

What is your view here? How would you approach this? Hopefully you never have to but I look for your thoughts.