It All Starts Here

Brittney Bush Bollay

Apeks ATX200 Regulator First Stage (DIN Fitting)

A normal scuba tank holds air at up to 300 times atmospheric pressure. Trying to breathe straight from the valve of one of those would be akin to drinking from a wrenched-open fire hydrant - that's what this thing is for.

The First Stage of a regulator attaches to the valve at the top of the tank, takes in air at the tank pressure, and adjusts it to an "intermediate" pressure. The air then heads down the hoses to the Second Stage - aka the "breathy bit" - which further reduces the pressure to something you can breathe. It's a simple mechanical process involving little more than a spring and a valve; there are very few moving parts in here. This simplicity is the root of the equipment's reliability and trustworthiness.

For more about how regulators work, click here.