Scuba regulators are the most important piece of equipment for enjoying diving comfortable and safely. A malfunction or failure of any of your equipment can ruin a dive, but a problem with a scuba regulator could be a matter of life and death.

Plan to bring your own diving regulator when deciding to go on a diving vacation" you will be glad you did. There is usually no need to haul along your own heavy tank or even bulky buoyancy control device. Not wasting time worrying about equipment, it is reassuring to have your own equipment. You can enjoy the dive if you bring your own mask and snorkel which you know and trust. You can easily bring your own regulator and do not trust your life too heavily on used rental equipment.

Scuba Regulator and the Basics

Diving regulators consist of two stages and connecting hoses. The first stage connects to your diving tank and reduces the very high tank pressure to an intermediate level. The second stage is connected to the first via a hose that is long enough to reach from the tank on your back around to your mouth, but not so long that it will get tangled. The second stage further reduces the pressure of the air to a level that is comfortable to breath. It contains the mouthpiece and the valve that controls the flow of air so that it only comes out on demand.

For use in case of emergency, a complete scuba regulator will also have an auxiliary second stage. Should either of your primary regulators fail, it is attached with a slightly longer hose that reaches around and attached to your chest where it can be conveniently reached by you or your dive buddy.

Finally the regulator will have an additional air hose with a coupling that attached to your buoyancy control device (BCD) to inflate it at the push of a button.

How to Pick the Right Scuba Regulator

Regulators come in two types, piston or diaphragm but first you need to decide what features are important to you. Because it is freeze proofed you must go with the diaphragm type, if you are planning on doing cold water diving.

Once you choose the type, you need to look at options. Some regulators will have an adjustment on the second stage that allows you to increase or decrease the effort it takes to open the valve when you breathe in. This controls how much effort it takes to inhale through the regulator and is a matter of personal preference. Non adjustable models are locked into an average setting which may feel right to you. If not, go for the adjustable ones.

On some scuba regulators are couplings in the line that allows the mouthpiece to swivel. Usually the sign of a good unit, it has features that will keep your hose from getting tangled.