Scuba Regulators

Let us help you find the best scuba regulator to suit your needs.

Your regulator is one of the most important pieces of your dive equipment. Remarkably, this piece of dive gear links together key components of your scuba gear (scuba tank, BCD, submersible pressure gauge, safe second air source) and delivers the air from your tank to you, allowing you to breathe underwater.

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. Most of the regulators we carry are suitable for recreational diving. However, if you’re going to get into technical or cold water diving, make certain you’re looking at regulators that are tested and designed to work in those specific environments.

Regulators - How does a regulator work? 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. This allows the air to flow through several hoses including the one leading to your second stage. The second stage further reduces the pressure to a breathable pressure, allowing you to breathe comfortably underwater. The second stage uses a demand valve to deliver air only when you need it with each inhale. Many second stages also include an adjustment knob that allows you to adjust the flow of air to your preference. This device helps to prevent free-flows and allows you to conserve air if desired.

Typically, you’ll see Unbalanced, Balanced, or Overbalanced in a regulator description. With an unbalanced regulator, the deeper you dive, the more effort you exert to breathe. These are recommended for shallow dives. A balanced regulator uses environmental pressure to adjust the interstage pressure in the regulator which means the regulator breathes the same regardless of how shallow or deep you dive. These regulators typically perform best for most recreational divers. An overbalanced regulator makes it easier to breathe the deeper you dive. This is accomplished by the inner workings increasing the interstage pressure faster than you descend. Advanced, deep, and technical divers typically gravitate towards an overbalanced regulator; however, they also perform well for recreational and shallow dives. Just keep in mind that breathing on a regulator should always be comfortable.

Environmentally sealed is another term you’ll see a lot. This means that the inner workings of the first stage are protected from the elements (salt, sand, and other sediment). This is important because it reduces wear and tear on these parts. 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. Since you can’t do a visual inspection of these parts, you’d have no way of knowing when your first stage would fail. So to keep you safe, and make things easy, most first stages are environmentally sealed.

You will occasionally be asked if you have a DIN or Yoke regulator. This refers to the attachment point. A DIN style first stage screws into the opening on the scuba tank, while a Yoke style one slips over the opening and screws onto it, abutting the attachment point.

Most regulators come ready to be used with Nitrox, but a few manufacturers require their regulators to meet additional safety standards if they’re going to be used with gas above 22% Oxygen.

Once you’ve selected your regulator, don’t forget to head over and find the right Scuba Diving Octopus too.

Alternate Air Source - Also referred to as Extra Air Sources, Pony Bottles, and Backup Air Supplies. These setups provide you with a small tank, regulator, and bag to attach the setup to your BC. These come with everything you need and are an emergency air supply only. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but if a situation arises, you’ll be thankful you have it.

Regulator Accessories - Includes regulator bags, replacement hoses, mouthpieces, and color kits. From protecting your regulator, to maintaining and customizing it, we’ve got you covered.