How to Use a Diving Regulator

Understand the Tangle of Hoses

• 1

  Know that the regulator first stage attaches to the scuba tank and converts its high-pressure air to an intermediate pressure.

• 2

  Realize that the second stage is the small mouthpiece that divers breathe from. It reduces the intermediate pressure to a breathable one, and is linked to the first stage by a strong rubber hose.

• 3

  Know that there are two second stages ' one carried as a backup and often called an "octopus."

• 4

  Understand that one of the hoses stretching from the first stage attaches to the buoyancy compensator and powers its inflation.

• 5

  Realize that the submersible pressure gauge also attaches to the regulator's first stage and displays the amount of air left in the tank.

Attach the First Stage

• 6

  Remove the dust cap covering the first stage's air-intake screen.

• 7

  Inspect the screen and clean any tiny debris or rust from the area.

• 8

  Attach the first stage so that the second-stage hose will fall over the diver's right shoulder.

• 9

  Tighten the first-stage screw gently.

• 10

  Turn on the tank valve.

Breathe With Confidence

• 11

  Rest assured that second stages have very few moving parts and seldom are defective.

• 12

  Test the purge button. This is the round button in the center of the second stage, which releases a gentle blast of air.

• 13

  Bite down on the mouthpiece of the second stage and breathe, making sure air is flowing.

• 14

  Enter the water and descend.

• 15

  Cough, spit, choke or vomit through the regulator if necessary ' it can take it. Just don't panic.

• 16

  Press the purge button before breathing if you have removed and replaced the second stage underwater.