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SCUBA Gear: How to Choose a Diving Regulator

SCUBA Gear: How to Choose a Diving Regulator

Written by Noreen
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Published on July 22, 2009

Buying diving gear and equipment especially diving regulators and octopuses, can be quite daunting with the endless array of features, types and the technical terminology that that gets thrown into the equation when you are in the market to buy one.   A good place to start first is understanding ‘How a Scuba Diving Regulator Works’ and understanding what the first and second stage in diving regulators are, then looking at the types and differences between them as we’ll point out here.

Balanced Vs Unbalanced Vs Overbalanced Regulators
These terms refer to the parts used in the first stage of regulators and mean the following-
–          An unbalanced regulator uses fewer parts. As a result it sacrifices a bit performance at lower tank pressures and at deeper depths. It’s mainly suitable for very basic diving.
–          A balanced regulator uses more parts in the first stage of the regulator to ensure that it delivers the same amount of air at all pressures and depths. So the performance of such regulators is consistent at all times of the dive and in either shallow or deep waters.
–          An overbalanced diving regulator incorporates a technology that makes breathing easier as you go deeper. These type of first stage regulators is mostly seen in the top ranges.

Piston Vs Diaphragm Regulators
Again in the first stage of regulators for the same function of lowering pressure from the tank, a diaphragm or piston is used. Both types perform more or less the same and both perfectly great and very reliable for recreational diving. The only difference between the two is-
–          Piston regulators are basic and simple have a slight performance edge at depths. They cannot be overbalanced.
–          Diaphragm regulators are a little more resistant to cold and water with particles like silt, sand or salt as the internal parts aren’t directly exposed to the water like in the piston type.
The differences are negligible in both types and aren’t really a serious consideration when choosing a diving regulator.

DIN Vs Yoke/ A-Clamp
These are the two different types of fitting for attaching your scuba diving regulator to your tank.
–          DIN which stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung is a fitting that screws directly into the tank. It’s more commonly used in Europe.
–          A Yoke fitting screws over the tank. It’s also called A-clamp and is most popular in the UK.
Both types of fittings are reliable and used commonly. If you choose to go with a DIN fitting you can buy a DIN to yoke style converter which will give you the flexibility of using either one whichever is more convenient at the time.

High Pressure and Low Pressure Ports
The first stage of scuba diving regulators has ports which connect other parts of the regulator like an octopus, inflator hose, pressure gauges, dive computers (sometimes wireless) and any extras. These can be high pressure or low pressure ports.
–          Low pressure ports are used to connect only low pressure items, via a hose, such as the second your alternate breathing source and your Buoyancy Compensator inflator.
–          The high pressure ports connect high pressure items such as your analog pressure gauge or dive computer.
It is useful to choose a regulator with multiple high pressure ports should you wish to add on any extras in the future.

Nitrox Compatible
Another aspect to consider when buying a Scuba regulator is whether it is Nitrox compatible should you choose to dive Nitrox later.