Regulator breathing

[Clark Fletcher]

Most regulators can be make easy to breath, some very easy. For most regulators, much has to do with how well they are adjusted/tuned.

Very true. The regulator I used during my pool session was very easy to breathe through. However, you could also look at the wrong way and it would free flow.

If you get the opportunity, try out a regulator with a user adjustable demand. I think you'll notice a huge difference.

 

[RTdiver]

You all have been incredibly helpful! I can't thank you enough!

 

[elmo]

There is difference between regs, and the hire regs, especially those set aside for pool sessions, are unlikely to be the best. Regs can also be tuned to make them easier to breathe (but more likely to freeflow) or harder to breathe. But... there's a good chance you're experiencing something else.
Mammals have an instict that tells us not to breath underwater. It has served us well for millions of years of evolution, but it's a bit annoying when learning to dive. Some people experience it more than others, and at first breathing from a reg underwater will be difficult. And many people really don't like breathing through their mouths either. But don't worry, keep at diving and you'll get used to breathing underwater in no time.
Happy diving and welcome to our little hobby.

 

[JamesBon92007]

So I had my first pool session last night. I had a blast! But my Reg seemed a bit difficult to breathe through. The instructor adjusted it and it made it a little easier, but it still seemed a bit hard. Do I need to get used to it or will it go away if I purchase my own? I know it was only my first session but I would think that I could adjust after breathing on it for an hour.

IMO a good regulator should be nearly effortless to breathe from if you are in a horizontal position (typical diving position). It should free-flow if you slowly submerge it in water with the purge button facing down. It should not free flow if you submerge it with the mouth-piece facing down. To me the effort has always been in the exhaling--the exhaust valves are at the bottom so you are fighting against the air wanting to go upwards. I you slowly submerge your second stage in the water with the purge button facing down and the air does not begin to flow I would say you have a hard-to-breathe regulator or one that has been adjusted too far in the conservative direction.