Regular price
£55.00 GBP
Sale price
£55.00 GBP
Regular price
Oyster Diving
Cylinder Inspection and Service for Safe Diving
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Cylinder inspection and service
A cylinder that is out of test is a cylinder no dive centre will fill, and that tends to be discovered on the morning of a trip rather than the week before. Visual inspections and hydrostatic tests both run on fixed cycles, and both are worth diarising rather than remembering.
We inspect, test, clean and service cylinders in-house at our own dive centre. Exterior, valve and threads on a visual, pressure testing where a hydrostatic is due, oxygen cleaning for enriched air use, and valve servicing or replacement where needed.
It runs alongside the rest of our Oyster servicing work, so a cylinder can go in at the same time as your regulator.
On this page
- Visual cylinder inspection of exterior, valve and threads
- Hydrostatic pressure testing
- Oxygen cleaning for enriched air and oxygen service
- Valve servicing and replacement
- Carried out in-house at our UK dive centre
- Guidance on cylinder care and handling included
Visual and hydrostatic are different tests on different cycles
A visual inspection happens more frequently and checks condition. A hydrostatic test happens less often and proves the cylinder can still safely hold pressure. Passing one does not cover you for the other, and fill stations check both.
Why cylinder testing matters
No test, no fill
Any reputable fill station will refuse an out-of-date cylinder, and rightly so. The practical consequence of letting a test lapse is usually a wasted day at the start of a trip.
Internal corrosion is invisible from outside
Cylinders corrode internally, particularly if water has got in through a wet fill or a cylinder has been stored empty. A visual inspection catches that before it becomes a structural problem, which is the entire reason the inspection cycle exists.
Oxygen service is not optional for nitrox
If your cylinder is used for enriched air or oxygen, it needs to be cleaned to oxygen service standard and kept that way. Contamination in an oxygen-rich cylinder is a fire risk, not a performance issue.
Valves wear and are cheap to fix early
Valve servicing is inexpensive compared to replacing a valve that has been left until it seizes or leaks. It is worth doing at the same time as an inspection rather than as a separate job later.
What we do
Visual cylinder inspection
The cylinder is emptied, the valve removed, and the interior and exterior examined along with the neck threads. We are looking for corrosion, pitting, cracking and thread damage, any of which can take a cylinder out of service.
Hydrostatic testing
The cylinder is pressurised under controlled conditions to confirm it still behaves correctly under load and returns to its original volume. This is the test that proves it is still safe to fill.
Oxygen cleaning
For cylinders used with enriched air or oxygen, we clean to remove hydrocarbons and contaminants. Ask for this specifically if your cylinder is going into nitrox service, because it is not part of a standard visual.
Valve servicing and replacement
Valves are inspected, serviced, and replaced where they are beyond economical repair. We will tell you which before doing the work.
Bring the cylinder with some gas in it
A cylinder that has been stored completely empty may have drawn in moist air, which is one of the main causes of internal corrosion. Leave a small positive pressure in it between dives and store it upright somewhere dry.
When your cylinder is due
- At the visual inspection interval stamped or labelled on the cylinder
- At the hydrostatic test interval, which is less frequent than the visual
- Before entering nitrox or oxygen service, for cleaning
- After the cylinder has been stored empty or left unused for a long period
- If it has taken a knock, been exposed to heat, or has visible external corrosion
- If the valve is stiff, leaking or difficult to operate
Not sure what your cylinder is due for? Bring it in and we will read the stampings and tell you.
Service details
| Service | Cylinder inspection and service |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Exterior, interior, valve and neck threads |
| Hydrostatic testing | Pressure tested to confirm safe working condition |
| Oxygen cleaning | Available for enriched air and oxygen service |
| Valve work | Servicing and replacement as required |
| Location | In-house at our UK dive centre |
| Options | Select the service you need when booking |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a visual inspection and a hydrostatic test?
A visual inspection checks the condition of the cylinder inside and out, including the valve and neck threads, and happens on the shorter cycle. A hydrostatic test pressurises the cylinder to confirm it still safely holds and releases pressure, and happens on the longer cycle. Fill stations check both.
How often does a diving cylinder need testing?
Visual inspection and hydrostatic testing run on separate fixed intervals. Check the stampings and labels on your cylinder, or bring it in and we will read them for you.
Does my cylinder need oxygen cleaning for nitrox?
If it is used with enriched air or oxygen, yes. Oxygen cleaning removes hydrocarbons and contaminants that present a fire risk in an oxygen-rich environment. Ask for it specifically, as it is not part of a standard visual inspection.
Can you replace a cylinder valve?
Yes. Valves are inspected and serviced as part of the work, and replaced where they are beyond economical repair. We will tell you the cost before proceeding.
Why should I not store a cylinder completely empty?
An empty cylinder can draw in moist air, and moisture inside a steel cylinder causes internal corrosion. Leave a small positive pressure in it and store it upright somewhere dry.
What happens if my cylinder fails the inspection?
We will explain exactly what failed and why. Some faults are repairable, such as a valve issue. Structural corrosion or cracking usually means the cylinder is condemned, and we would rather find that on a test bench than at a fill station.
Sorting your kit before the season? Book an inspection above, and see our diving cylinders if yours is due for replacement rather than testing.