What regs are you using for stage/deco cylinders?

[Alex Ouroboros]

Right so your in the uk and already on Apex, your pretty much answering your own question.

Apeks I’ve always regarded highly and your already in the fold so wether your mechanically minded or not you already understand your regs and any quirks, don’t confuse yourself or the servicing issues, complex diving practises are made easier by uncomplicated gear arrangements.
Aside from that I’m not getting involved with colour coding, left lean, and all that argument as it’s not the question you asked, so enjoy your diving and try not to overcomplicate things

Personally I’m on Poseidon’s but if I’d started with Apex I’d still be on them, the Swedish stuff suits me as it can go in your mouth either way up and I service them myself.
(despite just about every authorised level 5 zen Poseidon badged technician being unable to)

 

[halocline]

Underwater color coding is non-sense because for anything beyond recreational limits all colors look the same (unless you use a lamp to illuminate the regs and hoses).

It may make sense to easily identify different regs top side.

Over the past couple of years I have adopted a system where I have MOD taped to second stages and low pressure hoses that is helpful both underwater and top side.

Anything (within reason) that helps to clarify the identification of regulators while diving is not a bad thing. But relying on color to differentiate a potentially fatal mistake is really foolish. That’s why we all have team protocols for confirming that each diver is breathing off the correct bottle. In that sense I would say color coding is irrelevant because safe diving requires that you positively ID the bottle itself and confirm by following the hose from the correct bottle to the 2nd stage.

I have the luxury of dropping my O2 bottle at 20 ft because I’m a cave diver and I know I’m coming back to the same entrance. Still, there’s always the possibility of zero vis and as such, touch ID is a requirement for me. This is another advantage IMO of the MK2 for O2 use; it is easily and immediately distinguishable by touch from my other regs. My 2nd stage is likewise identifiable by touch.

 

[Deco Nico]

Following protocol for using the correct cylinder is absolutely important! I agree completely! The topic is somewhat shifting, though, and it really was not my intention.