Regulators

Your regulator is the one piece of kit you cannot improvise around, so it is worth buying once and servicing properly. We stock Apeks, Aqualung, DynamicNord, Halcyon and Mares, in single-cylinder, sidemount, twinset and stage configurations, and we service regulators in house. If you are not sure which setup fits the diving you are doing now, ask before you buy.

Diver underwater breathing from an Aqualung regulator

Expert advice
Talk to divers who use the kit we sell.
Servicing and repairs
Regulators, cylinders, drysuits, BCDs and computer batteries.
Rutland dive centre
A real shop in Oakham, with training and pool sessions.
UK delivery
Posted across the UK. Ask about lead times on special orders.

Choosing the right scuba regulator

Choosing a regulator can feel daunting at first, but it becomes an enjoyable and empowering task when you are equipped with the right knowledge. My first regulator was second-hand from someone I trusted. It came with a full service history, and at the time, I didn't know exactly what I needed. In hindsight, it shouldn't have been so intimidating. The excitement I felt when buying my first motorbike, that sense of freedom, is exactly how choosing a regulator should feel.

Our blog series walks through the subject in more depth: Choosing the Right Scuba Regulator

Cold water is the deciding factor in the UK

UK inland and coastal diving is cold for most of the year, and cold water asks more of a regulator than warm water does. Cold-water performance is therefore worth more attention than most other differences between models, particularly if you are diving through the winter or planning to go deeper.

Manufacturers describe cold-water suitability differently, and it varies between models within the same range. Check the manufacturer specification for the regulator you are considering, and ask us if it is unclear.

Match the regulator to your configuration

A single-cylinder recreational set, a twinset, a sidemount pair and a stage regulator are different purchases, not different sizes of the same one. Hose routing, first-stage port layout and the number of second stages all follow from how you dive.

We stock sets configured for each of these. If you are moving from recreational diving towards twinset or sidemount, it is worth talking through the change before buying, because the right first stage now can save buying twice.

Servicing is part of the purchase

A regulator is a life-support item and needs servicing on a schedule, not when it starts to feel wrong. We service regulators in house, so a regulator bought here can be maintained here, and we can tell you the service interval for the model you are looking at before you commit to it.

Read the full guide Show less

Frequently asked questions

For recreational single-cylinder diving, a typical set is a first stage, a primary second stage, an alternate second stage, and a way of reading your cylinder pressure.

Some of our listings are sold as complete sets and some as individual stages, so check what is included before adding to the basket. If you are buying your first set and are not sure what is missing, ask and we will check it against the diving you are doing.

DIN screws into the cylinder valve, yoke clamps over it. In UK diving DIN is the more common choice, particularly once you move towards twinsets, sidemount or higher-pressure cylinders.

Adaptors exist in both directions, so the decision is not permanent, but it is easier to buy the fitting that matches the cylinders you actually dive. Tell us where you dive and we will tell you which you will meet most often.

Service intervals are set by the manufacturer and vary between brands and models, so check the specification for yours rather than assuming a standard interval.

What is consistent is that servicing is scheduled maintenance on a life-support item, not something to leave until the regulator feels wrong. We service regulators in house and can tell you the interval for the model you are considering before you buy it.

It depends on the specific regulator and how it has been prepared, so this is not a question to answer from a general rule.

Check the manufacturer specification for your model, and talk to us before using any regulator with elevated oxygen content. If you are moving into nitrox diving, tell us when you buy and we will make sure what you leave with is right for it.