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Diving
Regulator
This page is to familiarize divers with their diving
regulator, tips when
buying one and how to maintened.
The primary
function of the diving regulator is to
reduce the compressed air from the cylinder to an ambient pressure and
automatically activate the demand valves when divers inhale and exhale;
giving
them just the air they need for each inhalation. In diving
helmets, the
airflow is constant making the modern regulator the perfect choice for
divers.
Diving Regulators Consisted
- First
Stage:
Reduce the compressed air from the cylinder to an ambient pressure.
- Second
Stage:
That consist in a primary regulator
and secondary regulator or OCTOPUS, and
activate valves when divers inhale and exhale.
- Low
Pressure Inflater Hose: That is connected to the BCD to control your buoyancy.
- High
Pressure Hose: with Console at the end, to monitor your
air on the tank and depth.
When
Buying A
Regulator
TIP
# 1:
Make sure your dive shop is an authorized dealer for servicing and
repairing your
regulator’s brand choice.
TIP
#2: Check
if in your dive area they use in the tank a yoke
valve with an o-ring;
which is by far the most common style in use; or DIN
valve
that is typically used with high-pressure steel tanks. You also can
have an
adapter.
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| Yoke
valve |
DIN
valve with an adapter |
TIP
#3: A Nitrox-compatible
regulator requires a Nitrox-compatible octopus or
alternate.
TIP
# 4: Your
regulator’s mouthpieces
needs to feel comfortable in your mouth. If your mouth
and jaws are sore after a dive, the mouthpiece might not be a good fit
for you.
TIP # 5: In the console of the regulator
you can have a pressure gage (BARs
or PSIs), Deep gage (Meters or Feet) or replace both by a diving computer.
You
also can add a compass
to the console.
Tip # 6:
Buy your regulator as a package or complete with all 4 hoses (primary
second stage, alternate second stage, flow pressure hose and high
pressure hose with console).
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Make it a habit to
always perform a check on all your equipment before a dive.
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Maintenance
If you find some leaks on your regulator’s
second
stage, most
of the time it's sand residue, so rinse with fresh water. If
o-ring does not seal properly;
release
the pressure check if o-ring is lubricated and move the hose around a
little
bit. If any of the suggestions above do not work we recommend that a
professional take a look on your regulator.
After
the
dive and
removing your regulator from the tank,
you must cover the
first stage immediately
and
then clean the regulator in fresh
water; removing all the salt, dirt and sediments like sand;
then dry your
equipment out of direct sunlight.
Check
hoses and look for cracks, worn areas, and bends or bulges. If you find
what looks like a potential problem, replace the hose. And never fold
your hoses too tight when you store your regulator.
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