Regulator not delivering enough air

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Seefa

Registered
Scuba Instructor
Messages
51
Reaction score
11
Location
Oman
# of dives
100 - 199
OK that's not true, the regulator is providing me with enough air, I'm still alive after all but it feels like I'm not getting the same amount of air I would be getting if I breathed through my mouth on the surface without a regulator.

I recently bought an Apeks xtx50 regulator and one of the reasons I upgraded from my aqualung Calypso was the desire for a higher flow rate of air. I know the regulator is well tuned (it free flows if I put it in the water on its back) and I make sure that the adjustment knob and venturi is open all the way but I still feel like I could use more air shoved down my throat.

Thoughts?
Does anyone have a similar experience?
 
So you dial the knob on the left both directions while breathing underwater?

What is the LP pressure reading?
 
Dial the knobs in the open directions, if I dial them closed I can feel the resistance increasing so yes the knobs do have an effect.
Unfortunately I don't have an LP Gauge but I assume it's adjusted correctly as the regulator is brand new
 
I have a similar experience when I overexert. Are you sure you didn't?

I have an XTX100, usually open it all the way, really easy breathing.
 
try borrowing a magnehelic and check breathing resistance..perhaps it isnt tuned as well as you think it is
 
I assume it's adjusted correctly as the regulator is brand new
- not a good assumption....

Since you don't have testing equipment, try the "bucket check". Take a bucket of water, and, with the regulator charged, very slowly lower it, mouthpiece up, into the bucket. Some of the mouthpiece should still be out of the water when it begins to flow. If not, the tune is not so good.....
 
I know the regulator is well tuned (it free flows if I put it in the water on its back) and I make sure that the adjustment knob and venturi is open all the way but I still feel like I could use more air shoved down my throat.

How deep in a basin of water to start the freeflow ?

Is the first stage environmental diaphragm sucked in when the regulator is unpressurised ?
 
I'm going to stop in here and suggestion the expectations of what a scuba regulator does may need adjusted.

A scuba regulator will not feel like breathing on land.

Properly tuned, best quality equipment won't fix user error or wrong expectations. Learning adequate breathing techniques may be necessary in becoming comfortable and competent at using a reg underwater.

Regards,
Cameron
 
one of the reasons I upgraded from my aqualung Calypso was the desire for a higher flow rate of air.

It sounds like you were not happy with the flow rate of the previous regulator. Rather than two different regulators not being well tuned maybe the problem is the demands that you are putting on them. Are your dives high exertion ones? Are you a somewhat anxious diver?
 

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