How frequently should you be servicing your regulator?

We are told we must service our scuba equipment annually including the regulator, buoyancy compensating rig and cylinder. Well, I can forget about servicing the jacket annually and most people can do that themselves so the cost is negligible.

Servicing the regulator annually is a waste of money when the equipment is purchased new, a better option is to look after the regulator yourself including an annual soak in 50/50 vinegar/water solution for 20 minutes before rinsing in fresh water and air drying. Every third year based on the savings, a new regulator may be purchased so a diver keeps up to date equipment.

Servicing costs are expensive in Australia, you can't beget people getting paid for their effort yet with the money coming straight out of your wallet - that is the last thing on your mind. Most of the servicing and inspections can be done by the owner, this involves checking for leaks, measuring the intermediate pressure to ensure seat leakage isn't occurring and making sure the second stage is clean with no build up of scale or slime.