Sealed 1st stage

[Paul1970]

Hi, a quick question for some experienced people,

I understand that an environmentally sealed 1stage is requires for cold water diving. Would I be right to assume that a sealed 1st stage could also be used in warm water with no issues?

 

[fmerkel]

Depends on what you mean by cold water. In the Pacific NW people use 'open' pistons down to the mid-40*F routinely.
No problem using them in warm water.

 

[Scuba J7]

An environmentally sealed 1st stage is fine to use in warm water.

It is not required for cold water though, as long as the reg is rated for cold water you should be fine. An example could be the Scubapro MK25, it's a piston type reg but design to function in cold water, another would be the MK11, it's a diaphragm type reg, not environmentally sealed yet is fine for cold water.

Environmental seals are very important for contaminated water such as sewage. Essentially the environmental seal keeps water from entering any internal part of the regulator.

 

[Paul1970]

An environmentally sealed 1st stage is fine to use in warm water.

It is not required for cold water though, as long as the reg is rated for cold water you should be fine. An example could be the Scubapro MK25, it's a piston type reg but design to function in cold water, another would be the MK11, it's a diaphragm type reg, not environmentally sealed yet is fine for cold water.

Environmental seals are very important for contaminated water such as sewage. Essentially the environmental seal keeps water from entering any internal part of the regulator.

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

 

[Umuntu]

An environmental seal also keeps sand, silt and dirt out of the working parts of your regulator. Which helps to improve performance and the life of your regulator.

I wouldn't regularly dive a SP MK25 in a silty quarry.

 

[Scuba J7]

In my area there are a lot of Mk25s and no clear water. Students use MK2s, we’ve never had an issue with silty water and a piston reg.