Regulators, Alternates and Instruments
As a novice scuba diver renting or borrowing equipment from a dive shop always take note of what scuba regulator system you are using and whether you like how it feels. When you find the one which makes your breathing feel effortless remember its make and model. When you decide to buy your own scuba regulator you will know which one to get.
Your regulator system is your life support system and as such, it is the one piece of equipment we always recommend you buy new. A cheap second-hand regulator may be faulty or reconditioned. Look for a warranty that covers the first several years of use. Many regulators come with life-time warranties for service parts. If you do choose to consider a used regulator, be sure to have it checked by a reputable service centre prior to making your final purchase decision.
Regulators
The job of the regulator is to supply air to the diver at ambient pressure. The first stage of a regulator attaches to the tank and reduces the pressure of the air in the tank to ambient pressure plus a preset intermediate pressure. The air is then sent down the hose to the second stage. Here the pressure is reduced by that same intermediate pressure, leaving air at ambient pressure.
Regulator first stages can be balanced or unbalanced. Balanced first stages are designed to breath as easily at low tank pressures and depths up to 90ft as when they are attached to a full tank at the surface. Most regulators provide one or two high pressure ports for pressure gauges and three or four low pressure ports for second stages, LP inflator hoses or dry suit hoses. Second stages offer external adjustments that can be made by the diver while diving to vary the performance of the regulator. The venturri assist is a two position adjustment that creates a venturi effect to optimize breathing performance and help prevent free flows at the surface. Another type of adjustment is the adjustable air flow knob or dial. This adjustment alters the flow rate to compensate for depth changes.
Alternates
Regardless of which type of alternate air source you select, remember that its performance will depend on the ability of the regulator first stage to deliver air, particularly when it is supplying two second stages and a power inflator. The bottom lines: Given the type of diving you plan to do, how will it work for you in a worst-case scenario? How much risk are you willing to accept? If you dive solo, under demanding conditions or in overhead environments, the greater your need for a completely independent air source and a high-performance regulator as your alternate air source.
Instruments
On the surface, the only instrument most people wear is a watch; you have to know what time it is. Underwater we need additional instruments to give us vital information.
That information includes:
- The maximum depth reached
- The current depth
- The time spent underwater
- The current gas pressure in the cylinder
- The direction you are going
- Current water temperature
Why do we need to know all that? Maximum and current depth, and the time spent underwater, determines the amount of nitrogen your body has absorbed. Knowing time and depth also allows you to follow your dive plan and make sure you are not deviating from the Dive Table data that tells you how long you can stay under if you go down to a certain depth. Knowing the gas pressure in the tank is also vital as it tells the diver how much air s/he has left. Air consumption, of course, varies with depth, but an experienced diver will be able to tell how many more minutes the air will last at a given depth.
Owning dive equipment represents a long term investment in fun and safety. A good set of dive gear can last you through years of diving and travel, take you to unforgettable experiences in incredible underwater environments and most importantly, bring you home safely. It is important to buy the right gear for the type of diving you do, ensure that it fits and is comfortable, be trained in its use and keep it serviced at recommended intervals. Ocean Pro Divers is committed to working with you at every step of this process. We carry all types of gear from many major manufacturers to get you diving.
Tanks
