How To Buy A Regulator

Scuba regulators convert high-pressure air in your tank to air that you can breathe, while under water. They also deliver air to your buoyancy compensator. Some types of regulators have advanced features to aid divers who explore the far depths of oceans, seas and lakes. You should start by first determining the type of diving that you will typically do and then find the appropriate regulator to meet your needs.

Important: Scuba equipment should only be purchased by certified divers, trained properly in its use and maintenance. Certain warnings regarding maintenance and use of these products are attached to the product. Please read all product warnings and instructions carefully.

• Typical dive conditions
• Recreational diving
• Advanced diving
• Elements of a regulator
• Valves
• Fist stage
• Second stage
• Connecting tubes
• Regulator performance
• Ease of use
• Comfort

Typical dive conditions

Recreational diving

• Nearly all regulators are suitable for general recreational diving, either in your favorite lake or shallow ocean waters
• Recreational diving is usually defined as no more than 130 feet in depth and in calm waters

Advanced diving

• More advanced diving demands a better regulator
• More demanding conditions include cave diving, colder-water diving, extended-range deep diving to 198 feet, and diving in rough water
• If you plan on going beyond a casual look under water, spend the extra money on a regulator that will withstand the rigors of more demanding dives

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Elements for a regulator

Valves

Scuba regulators use two valves that automatically open and adjust to external pressure. You don't need your hands to operate a regulator because it opens and closes as it responds to your breathing.

• First stage
• Attached to the tank, the first stage takes the pressure of the cylinder and reduces it to an intermediate or working pressure
• Balanced first stages allow for constant breathing at any depth and as your tank runs low
• Unbalanced first stages require harder breathing to maintain air at lower depths and when your tank begins to run low. Balanced first stages usually outperform unbalanced first stages.
• Piston first stages lose efficiency as you descend and are susceptible to contamination unless these systems are totally sealed
• Diaphram first stages can't lock so it's more precise in vectoring air
• Second stage
• Located at the hose's end along with the mouthpiece, the second stage reduces the pressure in the hose to a breathable pressure
• Balanced second stages typically perform the best
• Many second stages also include an assist, a venturi-like device that gets air into your mouth easier

Connecting tubes

• Regulators come with a hose that attaches to the tank and holds the first stage and second stage, and eventually your mouthpiece
• All regulator first stages have several low-pressure ports to position hoses to the best advantage. These include swivels for mounting so it's critical to use the proper diameter fittings suggested by the manufacturer.
• Look for a larger diameter hose, which is stiffer but more reliable
• Hose lengths are designed to optimize performance
• If a hose is too long, it can push the second stage out of your mouth or get tangled
• Conversely, if a hose is too short the second stage tugs at the corner of your mouth

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Regulator performance

• As the demands of your diving increase, the regulator's ability to deliver air comfortably becomes more crucial
• Manufacturers have increasingly built high performance regulators to meet the rigors of diving, even in models designed for general recreational diving
• High performance regulators will give you better results between servicing

Ease of use

• Adjustable regulators
• Many regulators use one or two diver-controlled adjustments on the second stage
• These come in either switches used to prevent free flow when the regulator is not in your mouth and dials to change breathing resistance
• The advantages of adjustable regulators are being able to set them between servicing and the option of adjustments to maximize performance as your diving conditions change
• Non-adjustable regulators
• Some regulators do not feature adjustment options
• The benefits are simplicity and ease of use

Comfort

• More advanced designs have led to more comfort in regulator performance
• A mouthpiece can be uncomfortable if it angles in your mouth, allowing water to seep in. A surefire way to avoid this is to buy a moldable mouthpiece, which permits you to mold the mouthpiece to the contour of your mouth.
• Hose length can be either lengthened or shortened to fit your comfort level
• You may find a thinner, longer, more flexible hose more suitable to your liking

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