Regulator FAQ?

[Wijbrandus]

I'm looking for a FAQ that explains the features of a regulator, what's available, and why people would want them.

For example, I think I understand the difference between a piston and a diaphram (mechanically speaking) but I'm not sure why one would by preferred over another. And what does it mean when a reg is 'balanced'?

Is there a "Regulators for Dummys" section somewhere?

I'm considering investing in my own set, and while I've enjoyed reading what everyone else uses, I haven't learned enough to know how to justify my purchase other than "Uncle Pug said this is the best". Not that that's not a good reason, but still...

 

[Greg Barlow]

I suggest that you go to Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine's site at www.scubadiving.com and read the gear report articles on regs. The late Jon Hardy did some excellent pieces on the basics of reg selection. John Brumm has also done so.

Greg Barlow
Former Science Editor for Rodale's

 

[ScubaRon]

The key difference today is that with piston regs internal parts are exposed to water and in very heavily polluted or very cold (<47F) water this can cause malfunction or freeze-ups. Piston regs often have kits available to overcome this, but many coldwater divers prefer diaphragm regs for this reason.

"Balanced" means that the ease of breathing remains constant as the tank pressure drops...until the tank is empty, then breathing becomes impossible. With unbalanced regs breathing becomes gradually more difficult.
ScubaRon