Why Your Regulator Breathes Good Or Bad 

FULL Throttle45 You are welcome

Thank You, glad you liked it.

@@LakeHickoryScuba had a free flow incident this past weekend in 0 degree water not mine but a friend cut out five short we will actually have a video up about it in the next little while

Send me the link to the video once it is uploaded, I would be interested in studying it as it may help others in the future. Glad to know everyone made it back safely.

I will be happy to make a video on that subject. Controlling you SAC and RMV rate comes with being comfortable underwater. Give me a week or so, and I will get it uploaded.

If the regulator is an unbalanced piston regulator, then yes this is very normal. With an unbalanced regulator, especially piston style regulators, anything below an average of 80 feet, and once a tank pressure drops below 1000 psi, a diver will definitely be able to tell a difference in the breathing quality of a regulator. This doesn't make it a bad regulator, it just means it is most likely unbalanced. Now with that being said, if it is a balanced regulator and it gets more difficult to breathe at depth, then the intermediate pressure may have dropped or you may need to loosen up the cracking pressure slightly. I would let your local shop check the IP for you, most don't charge to throw on a gauge and check it.

Ivory Johnson I will be happy to

LakeHickoryScuba I saw one of your earlier videos on it wanted something other than just look at charts .....like if you go 50 feet but want to swim your way up to 30 feet do safety stop ....how do you plan that hope that makes sense

Ivory Johnson I will try to make a video for you in the on coming week. There was really only one set of tables, the PADI Wheel that allowed for such planning. It has been discontinued for well over a decade now. With the advancement in computers, dive planning hasn't really changed all that much. But I will do my best to explain how we do it.

Great idea. I'm going to try and get a video up sometime with in the next week showing how to plan dives, and I will make sure to mention V-Planner.

Hello Chris Patriot, great set of questions. Choosing a low performance regulator is typically what divers do when in the market for a stage regulator, pony regulator, or an alternate air source. Something that is only to be used during an emergency, or one that is very easy to service. Budget of course can play a major role in this as well. As far as my personal biase in a high performing regulator, some of my favorites are the Mares Abyss MR22 (no longer being produced), the Mares 28x, the Atomic T3, Scuba Pro MK25, and the Apex XTX.

@@LakeHickoryScuba thank you!

Hello Rocky Hernandez. Two things can cause this, neither are a major concern. This is very common above water, as most of the time, its the second stage diaphragm vibrating.

Hello john metyk, several things can cause a free flow in a second stage. If the intermediate pressure is set to high in the first stage, then you can get a free flow. If the low pressure seat is wore out or damaged, then you can get a free flow. If the demand lever is not adjusted correctly it can cause a free flow. If the internal wall of the first stage housing is scratched it can cause a free flow. With Dacor no longer being produced and no longer serviceable, It may be difficult finding a technician to diagnose it.

Hello Brian Mazza, every regulator is different. Even high end balanced regulators can be difficult to breathe from when inverted. My suggestion is to find a local Oceanic Technician and have him check to make sure the Intermediate and Cracking Pressure is set to factory specs.

Great question Jack La Lone. By having the first stage slightly de-tuned, it helps prevent freeze ups with in the first stage. You can actually do a little experiment on your self. Close your lips off and blow onto your hand. The air is cold as it comes through a restricted access. Now open your mouth widely and breathe onto your hand. The air is now warm. The same happens with in the first stage.