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Gear: Regulators
Since you humans can't extract your oxygen from the water like we highly sophisticated sharks, you'll need to carry an air supply with you and a way to utilize it. Hence the diver's need for a regulator.
Shamus' Patented Regulator Buyer's Guide
- Regulators can be balanced or unbalanced. Balanced regulators breathe the same at the surface that they do at depth. Unbalanced regulators are slighly more difficult to breathe at depth than they are at the surface.
- You can also find regulators in a diaphragm or piston variety. There is little difference in the performance bewteen the two.
- Overbalanced regulators provide a high air flow, even at depth.
- You want to make sure that the regulator delivers air to you at a rate you are comfortable with.
- Make sure the second stage fits comfortably in your mouth and is not too heavy.
- You may choose to have your alternate second stage on your inflator hose. This alternate set up is not common, but equally as valid.
- Consider changing the mouthpiece to one with a customizable bite tab.
Other things to consider:
- Some regulators come (or can be equipped with) an auto closure device that seals the first stage.
- Regulators that are environmentally sealed will not freeze in water colder than 32 degrees.
- Check how many high pressure and medium pressure ports the regulator you are considering has. You need one high pressure port for your SPG, and three medium pressure ports for your primary second stage, alternate second stage, and inflator hose.
- A second high pressure port could be used for a transmitter for a wireless air-integrated computer.
- A fourth medium pressure port could be used for a dry suit hose.
- A fifth medium pressure port could be used for an inflator for a lift bag.
Care and feeding:
- Rinse your regulator in clean, fresh water after every use. Make sure that the first stage is covered so that water cannot enter it.
- Clean your mouthpieces with some type of disinfectant.
- Make sure you take your regulator to an authorized service facility at least every year or every 50 dives (or so) if you dive more often.
- Regulators should get an overhaul every other year.
- Buy your regulator from an authorized dealer to get the benefits of the warranty.
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