From the dream of exploration to controlled depths
Since ancient times, man has dreamed of breathing underwater. But it took until the 20th century for a device to make this really possible, safe and effective: the diving regulator.
Before the modern regulator: the first ideas
As early as the 17th century, systems for breathing under water were imagined, but they remained rudimentary: diving bells, air hoses, or tanks carried on the back.
In the 19th century, engineers like Rouquayrol and Denaysubsidies developed a compressed air regulator for divers. This system, still far from the autonomous regulator, inspires future inventions.
Birth of the modern regulator
Scaphandre Museum – Espalion:
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Navy officer passionate about diving, and Émile Gagnan, engineer at Air Liquide.
Together, they invent the "CG45", the first modern two-stage autonomous regulator.
It allows you to breathe compressed air on demand, depending on the ambient pressure.
The regulator becomes more compact, reliable and comfortable.
Recreational diving is developing worldwide and brands like Aqua Lung (founded with Cousteau) or Scubapro are launching into industrial production.
Appearance of compensated expanders, for stable breathing at all depths, and improvement of materials: titanium, light alloys, anti-icing systems...
Development of regulators adapted to extreme environments: cold waters, great depths, technical diving.
The regulator reduces the high pressure of the air contained in the bottle (about 200 to 300 bars) to a breathable pressure, adapted to the diver’s depth.
The first stage is attached to the bottle via a DIN connection (formerly the stirrup) and allows the air pressure to be greatly reduced so that it is breathable (generally between 8 and 11 bars above ambient pressure).
The 2nd floor, which you have in your mouth, adapts this pressure to each breath and allows you to breathe the gaseous mixture that you have in your bottle, thus allowing a comfortable and natural breathing.
Without it, diving would not be possible. It protects the diver’s lungs by avoiding an air intake at too high pressure. In addition, it allows breathing, regardless of the depth (depending on the type of regulator). In fact, it is a vital element for underwater safety and comfort.
There are two types of pressure regulators: piston or membrane.
Note that there are two types of diaphragm expanders:
On uncompensated diaphragm regulators, the average pressure (MP) decreases as the pressure in the cylinder falls. This makes the regulator less flexible at the end of the dive, thus reducing respiratory comfort. This phenomenon increases with depth, which limits the use of this type of regulator to a maximum depth of about 20 meters. On the other hand, these models are distinguished by their great robustness and simplicity of maintenance.
Compensated diaphragm expanders, whether first or second stage, ensure stable operation regardless of the depth or pressure remaining in the block. This constancy of performance explains a higher purchase and maintenance cost. These regulators are particularly suitable for dives beyond 20 meters. Appreciated for their reliability, performance and ease of maintenance, they are ideal for regular use and for use at any depth.
Selection: Regulator R2 TEC2 - TECLINE and Diaphragm diving regulator VR 400 DIN 300 BEUCHAT
On the side of piston regulators, there are two kinds of piston regulators for the 1st stage:
The simple piston works according to a very basic mechanism: the medium pressure (MP) is regulated directly based on the high pressure (HP) of the bottle.
Selection: 1st stage regulator R1 Pro TECLINE
The regulator automatically compensates for pressure variations in the block. It maintains a constant average pressure, regardless of the residual pressure in the bottle or the depth.
Stable performance throughout the dive.
Selection: HALCYON H-50D membrane first stage regulator
The regulator equipped with a DIN connection is fixed directly on the faucet of the block thanks to a screw thread. Sealing is ensured by an O-ring on the regulator which seals at the level of the tap. In the event of a shock damaging the valve head, it may become difficult or even impossible to remove the seal and install the pressure regulator. The DIN system is lighter and offers better sealing than the bracket system, with less risk of leakage. It can withstand a working pressure of up to 300 bars, provided that a DIN 300 bar compatible regulator is used. However, this system is not always compatible with older diving equipment.
To know: all our regulators for sale on our site Diveavenue.com are in DIN connection. The stirrups are available on request, otherwise on order.
Important: a regulator must be revised every year according to the recommendation of the manufacturer or your maintenance center. It’s a question of safety! Diveavenue offers a regulator maintenance and overhaul service, contact us to learn more.
To inform you about the maintenance of your regulator, it must be overhauled:
When it comes to regulator maintenance, caution is never excessive. For more information, see our complete guide on diving regulator maintenance.
Diveavenue is a team of passionate divers with 15 years of experience online, offering you more than 80 brands and over 400 references, accompanied by personalized advice and attentive to its customers, offering you personalized customer service 5 days a week. Today and in this blog, the Diveavenue team enlightens you on choosing your next regulator, among major brands like Beuchat, Tecline, Seac and others.