New Year, New Resolution, New Toys: Getting your first Regulator!
Written by Juli Cole,22 December 2023.
New Year, New Resolutions, New Toys! Agreed?
If “Diving more” is in your 2024 resolution, you should definitely get your very first regulator is an investment! Not only will it be kinder to your pocket in the long term, it will elevate your dive experience tremendously!
Disclaimer: This is a not an article about the best regulators on the market, or comparison of different brands and models. This is intended for the average consumer who is going into the store to begin choosing their first reg (even though this is my second).
I serendipitously sold my regulator to a friend. This was my first regulator, I really was not happy with it, so it truly was a happy accident. However, I suddenly realized that I needed a new reg and had no idea what to purchase. I did what everyone does and asked my neighbor who doesn’t dive…. No, I am being silly. I of course turned to Google and after an hour or so, walked away with more confusion than before. I went to one of my favorite dive centers and had a discussion with the well-informed proprietor. He was sweating after I got done with all my questions, but he did answer every single question of mine. So I’ll share with you what I learned!
Balanced or Unbalanced : after learning the difference between the two, I am not sure why someone would want unbalanced, at least in the recreational diving application. The balancing mechanism can be in the first stage and/or second stage. Basically, inside each unit is a valve with a spring. In an unbalanced reg, going to depth or low pressure in the tank will cause the operation of this valve and spring to vary, making it more difficult to breathe and your lungs to work harder to overcome the resistance in this valve-spring unit. This will be that feeling at the end of the day that you climbed a mountain and possibly have a headache to accompany it. A balanced reg obviously overcomes this and maintains a consistent breathing experience. Most rental regulators are unbalanced. So, there was a huge difference in my first experience diving with my own regulator which was balanced. I felt so much better at the end of the trip!
The difference: a DIN valve screws directly into the tank. It was mainly used by TEC divers because it can take higher pressure and used on cylinders up to 300 bar whereas a yoke valve is only rated to 230 bars. Nowadays DIN models have made their way into the recreational dive market. I spoke with Urve Patel, Divemaster, who is great at staying abreast of the latest and best in dive gear. I asked him about the advantages of a DIN valve. He said not only the advantage of tanks with more air, the DIN model is lighter weight and more streamlined compared to a yoke and does not hit you in the back of the head (a common annoyance for me). He also explained that because the o-ring is on the valve and one is not needed on the tank as well, there is less air leakage. (Like those annoying little streams of bubbles coming out of the back of your tank that everyone says is ok but you know that is your precious air leaking away?) The advantage of a yoke model is that is what most dive centres in the area are using and their tanks are set up for. Yokes are typically what is offered on most cheaper to mid-range regs here. A DIN model can use a small adapter that will allow it to be hooked up to a yoke cylinder. Outside of our region, such as US and Europe, even some places in Philippines, most centres use DIN valves so it will be problematic taking a yoke unit to these areas. A yoke can be used on a DIN cylinder but requires changing out the valve on each cylinder you use – the adapter goes on the cylinder and requires a special tool. Just something to consider when making your choices.
Piston vs Diaphragm: This can be in your first stage and second stage, though I came away with the impression that most if not all second stages nowadays only have diaphragms. Again, never hurts to confirm. A piston is very simple in design – it’s basically a metal pin with a spring that controls the flow of air from your tank to your second stage. A diaphragm is more complex with more pieces in play to regulate the flow of air. Because of this, piston designs are easier to repair and work on i.e. cheaper too. Higher end piston models are better for professional diving as they can deliver more air at a faster rate in a smoother manner. Another advantage is first stage body design which can be less bulky and lighter to travel with. They are also tougher and less easy to damage because of their simpler design. However, all these benefits come at a hefty price tag – you will not find these benefits in the cheaper piston models; which then becomes an advantage of the diaphragm models. Also, piston models can come unbalanced as well as balanced, so if investing in a piston model be sure and confirm it has what you are wanting.
As I mentioned above, diaphragm models are inherently environmentally sealed and work well then in cold water environments (less than 10 degree C). They are more sensitive to pressure changes and are better performing like when your air runs low. Pricewise, a decent model can be had in the lower to mid-price range, making them a good option for the first-time purchase by an average recreational diver. One disadvantage of a diaphragm model is, though really uncommon, the diaphragm itself can rupture. They are also more expensive to repair and service. However, because of the environmental seal, they do not need servicing so often, just rinsing and proper cleaning after each dive trip. It is recommended to service your regulator, regardless of model, after every 100 dives.
Some other less important considerations: Knowing where you expect to go on your diving trips is a big factor. Do you plan to ever use a dry suit? Or want to attach a transmitter? First stage setups can vary by numbers of high pressure and low-pressure ports so knowing in the future what gear you will want to attach can help you set up for those things. In this region, most dive destinations require flying so weight of your gear can be a factor, though don’t let a few grams keep you from buying a regulator you really like. It can be used however if trying to decide between several units. Do you ever plan to go to colder waters? If you are happy in the beautiful “bathtub” waters in our region, no worries! But if your diving bucket list contains some places in Japan, then factoring in cold water might be a need in choosing a regulator. My new reg second stage is much smaller than my old regulator and gives me better visibility, so I am happy with that improvement, though that was a plus and not a determining factor in my choice. My new second stage also has two dials on it – these are venturi valves that controls the airflow of the second stage, which is actually something I wanted (yes call me crazy – I have my reasons) so I am looking forward to playing with those and seeing whether a) they actually do anything and b) if they do work, how can I use them to improve my dive?
So, this is all that I learned. Here is hoping this provided all of you some extra information when you go to make that purchase and you can make better choices than I did in buying my first regulator.
Check out Flow Dive Center’s latest regulator promos! Visit www.flowdive.center now! Feel free to speak with our customer assistant for more information (though we are pretty confident that you don’t need to after this comprehensive article!