Regulators
Regulator First Stage
Regulators consist of two components. These are the 1st and 2nd stages.
As you learned during the "Scuba Cylinders" lesson, the pressure inside your cylinder can be as high as 3500 psi. Before you breathe this air the pressure must be reduced to a safe level. So the function of the 1st stage is to reduce the pressure to about 140 psi.
The 1st stage connects directly to your cylinder's valve, and threaded ports allow you to attach air hoses for the 2nd stage, BCD power inflator, and alternate air source. One of these ports is labeled "HP" (high pressure) because the air pressure delivered through this port is not reduced by the 1st stage. This port is used to attach the submersible pressure gauge, which indicates the cylinder's pressure while you dive.
As you learned during the "Scuba Cylinders" lesson, the pressure inside your cylinder can be as high as 3500 psi. Before you breathe this air the pressure must be reduced to a safe level. So the function of the 1st stage is to reduce the pressure to about 140 psi.
The 1st stage connects directly to your cylinder's valve, and threaded ports allow you to attach air hoses for the 2nd stage, BCD power inflator, and alternate air source. One of these ports is labeled "HP" (high pressure) because the air pressure delivered through this port is not reduced by the 1st stage. This port is used to attach the submersible pressure gauge, which indicates the cylinder's pressure while you dive.
