It should rest evenly with no gaps. Our Advice - If you don't plan on doing a lot of snorkeling, this is the one piece of gear you can skimp on. Any water that gets inside the suit is going to leak out again. And even price may not be an advantage since name-brand gear can often be purchased at dive stores at discount prices. 2. Aqua Lung traditions have been setting standards for the past 60 years since Jacques Cousteau and French engineer Gagnan invented the Aqua-lung. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. You want these parts protected because corrosion inside your first stage would cause a problem with getting the air you need when you need it. Originally started by mechanical engineer and long time diver Bob Hollis, their regs excel as reliable and dependable, loved by both recreational and technical divers alike. After trying a few regulators, pick the best one, or best complete package, based on what works for you. You'll want to weigh a variety of factors when selecting your dive regulator, such as your intended diving environment, frequency of use, comfort, and price range. If you wear a dry suit, youll have another inflator hose connected to it. Need to buy a new BCD? Nobody enjoys working the dive tables, but they're an invaluable tool for safe diving. Form-fitting exposure suits are usually made of foam neoprene rubber (wetsuits) or spandex-like materials (skins), sometimes with a fleece lining. Is it easy to reach and extend over your head? Any gaps yet? UK based Apeks are Technically Inspired. Since 1949 this Italian company has been producing state-of-the-art diving equipment that includes warm water travel packages to high performance extended range scuba regulators. With an unbalanced regulator, the deeper you dive, the more effort you exert to breathe. This is important because it reduces wear and tear on these parts. Regulator Accessories - Includes regulator bags, replacement hoses, mouthpieces, and color kits. Some also have purge valves for venting any water that leaks in, and others have quick strap adjustments. Complete and easy-to-understand instructions are important, especially on feature-packed machines. Catalog buying is a popular and useful way to shop, particularly when some products are not available locally or may be purchased through a catalog for significantly less money (including shipping and handling charges). Know whether DIN or yoke connections are typical for tanks in your area, and look for the same connection on your regulator. A scuba diving regulator is the hub of your dive equipment, and links many pieces of gear your scuba tank to your BCD, submersible pressure gauge (SPG), alternate air source and you. Primary The main regulator second stage, as opposed to the backup or octopus second stage. Dont press the purge button while rinsing. So the first thing a wetsuit has to do is keep the cold ocean from flushing through it. The one-pane oval mask of Sea Hunt and those old Bond films is practically a relic. So choose carefully based on the style of diving you'll be doing most. Hydro Short for "hydrostatic test." Little service or support is available by mail order, and gear that is not purchased locally may not be able to be serviced locally and may have no warranty. We'll show you how to pick the perfect wetsuit for cold and warm weather diving conditions. Some models have both numeric and graphic displays for at-a-glance information. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Underwater photography is about Keep up to date with our social media and newsletter! Scubapro MK11 S270 & R095 Octopus Regulator Set, Aqualung Leg3nd Elite Stage 4 Regulator Set, Aqualung Leg3nd MBS Stage 3 Regulator Set, Scubapro MK25 EVO D420 Stage 4 Regulator Set, Apeks MTX-RC Single Cylinder Regulator Set, Apeks XTX200 & XTX40 Stage 3 Regulator Set, Scubapro MK25 EVO S620Ti & R195 Regulator Set, How To Improve Your Underwater Navigation Skills, The New Apeks XL4 Ocea - Eco Conscious Regulator, Guide to Underwater Photography and Recommended Editing Software. Evaluate all the items that will be part of your regulator package to make sure there are enough ports on the first stage in the right configuration. Also important: how the snorkel attaches to your mask. What to Look For - Correct size and fit. Ask your. Exposure suits should fit snugly without restricting movement or breathing. Required for every scuba cylinder in the U.S. every five years. What to Look For - Comfort. Check out the mouthpiece fit. Regulators - How does a regulator work? Scuba equipment can be purchased in dive stores, at other retail outlets, by mail order or as used equipment from private parties. These options (and a range of color schemes) are a matter of personal preference--just make sure the mask you choose fits right. Our Advice - Choosing the right pair is important to prevent muscle fatigue and cramping. Breathing on a regulator in a dive store tells you nothing about how it will perform under water. Here's a guide to choosing the right weight for the conditions you dive in. When it leaves, it takes that heat with it. Getting your head around the jargon used when discussing scuba diving regulators is like learning Greek or trying to understand the workings of a combustion engine! "Take breathing to a whole new level" is their motto. Cost - Wetsuits and skins range from $70 to $650. This refers to the attachment point. What to Look For - Fit and comfort. Nondive store retail outlets. What It Does - What doesn't it do? Unless you are extremely knowledgeable or an equipment technician, you will not know if a regulator, for example, can even be serviced. 65-75F - 3/16" (5mm) neoprene Invest in clips to prevent hoses from dangling and hose protectors for all hoses to increase the hose life. Sometimes the alternate second stage is built into the inflator on your. What to Look For - Comfort and efficiency. But scuba gear is also built to last. The seller's statement that the regulator "breathes fine" and your breathing on it out of the water are both meaningless. The BCD also called a BC or buoyancy compensator is the most complex piece of dive equipment you'll own and one of the most important. In short, a dive store is in a better position than a mail-order dealer to provide the service and support you need and should expect. Rent them if you have to. Look forward. The good news: Among major-label regulators the kind sold in dive stores there is no junk. Look for a comfortable mouthpiece and have your local dive store select hoses of the right length for you. Please fill in the form below and we will usually contact you within 1 business day. What It Does - The mask creates an air space in front of your eyes that allows them to focus under water. When properly cared for and regularly maintained, your first set of gear can last a long time. Our Advice - This is an important piece of equipment that you can expect to use for many years. Ask to have your top regulator choices hooked up to a tank to test how they breathe. What type is right for you? Hopefully, youll never have to use it, but if a situation arises, youll be thankful you have it. The second stage uses a demand valve to deliver air only when you need it with each inhale. Register the warranty with the manufacturer immediately. These are recommended for shallow dives. Most regulators come ready to be used with Nitrox, but a few manufacturers require their regulators to meet additional safety standards if theyre going to be used with gas above 22% Oxygen. Fine. Gaps at the arm, leg, crotch and neck allow water to circulate and defeat the suit's ability to prevent heat loss. No doubt about it: scuba is a gear-intensive activity. Once you're a newly minted diver, the anxiety you had about buying gear will likely be replaced with a rush of excitement a desire to max out the plastic or convert the Roth IRA into a heap of the latest and greatest in scuba gear. Cutting edge design and technical capabilities are trademarks of Hollis. Do not allow contact with petroleum products or other solvents. Computers can also monitor your ascent rate and tank pressure, tell you when it's safe to fly, log your dives and much more. Let's start with these scuba gear basics. A regulator must also deliver air to other places, such as your BC inflator and alternate second stage. Put simply, regs are your life support system, delivering breathing gas at ambient pressure. Providing Insulation Against Heat Loss. Do not allow moisture into the air intake of your regulator's first stage, and do not depress the purge on your second stage unless the unit is pressurized. Boot Protective covering on the bottom of a tank. Second stage The part of the regulator at the end of the hose that includes the mouthpiece. By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. The key is to choose a regulator that offers the performance you need for the environments where youll dive, and can be easily serviced at your local dive operation. Your regulator with all attachments should be assembled and checked by a dive professional at your. Our Advice - Begin with an honest evaluation of your diving needs do you plan to use mixed gases someday to do decompression diving? Visit your PADI Dive Center or Resort to get advice about regulators. Before you try on BCDs, slip into the exposure suit you'll wear most often. An under-the-arm hose option for the second stage is available for a few models. The first stage of your scuba regulator, which is the part that attaches to your dive tank, takes the air from the dive tank and reduces the pressure to an intermediate or working pressure. What They Do - Exposure suits insulate you against the cooling effect of water, which can rob your body of heat 25 times faster than air. Get a simple, basic model and be done with it. However, you must do your homework before buying this vital piece of gear. Free flow An unwanted loss of air from a regulator. Here's a look at some considerations to keep in mind when choosing a pair. Open-heel fins require less effort to put on, especially if a pull tab is added to the strap. Console A unit attached to a hose from the regulator first stage for holding and displaying instruments, including dive computer, depth gauge and compass. The mask should seal easily on your face. Mikes Dive Store 2022. Study the features of different computers and choose the one that offers the mix of features you need at the best price. Look for a durable, yet simple and easy-to-operate attachment. Different mouthpieces, exhaust tees and hoses are also options. Make sure the nose pocket doesn't touch your nose and that the skirt feels comfortable on your upper lip. Designed for efficiency and control, the right fin helps both scuba divers and freedivers move through the water efficiently. Yet, as you look at the giant wall of snorkels at your local dive store, you'll see an array of options and features to choose from. These regulators typically perform best for most recreational divers. Read our latest ScubaLab scuba BCD review. Many second stages also include an adjustment knob that allows you to adjust the flow of air to your preference. Rebreather An underwater breathing unit that recycles a breathing gas, removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen. If you can't wiggle your toes, the fins are too small. Alternate Air Source - Also referred to as Extra Air Sources, Pony Bottles, and Backup Air Supplies. However, most are simply retail outlets and cannot provide the service, support and expertise that a dive store can. In addition, the store can back up products immediately if necessary. Your regulator is one of the most important pieces of your dive equipment. Tuesday - Thursday:11:30am to 7:30pm ESTFriday - Sunday:11:30am to 5pm EST. If the mask is still in the running, adjust the strap and put it on your face. Look for a BCD that fits snugly but doesn't squeeze you when inflated. Let your regulator dry completely, out of direct sunlight. Dive computers are an even better tool for the same reason a laptop is better than a slide rule. Keeping Water Out. Once youve selected your regulator, dont forget to head over and find the right Scuba Diving Octopus too. 75-85F - 1/16" (1.6mm) neoprene, Lycra, Polartec At least once per year (more if you dive frequently) have your BC, reg and computer serviced by your dive store. A pressure test for scuba tanks, performed in water.