Need help understanding scuba gear?

Question

What is the difference of HP LP ports in terms of use on a scuba regulator? And why would you need 2 HP Ports on a scuba regulator?

Also is this a good regulator to get for the Southern California http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/SCPM2R1.html I ask because I don't know what I should be looking for in a regulator\1st stage.

Answer 1

A scuba regulator is designed to regulate air flow to a diver.  Scuba cylinders are rated for different pressures that can range from 1800 pounds per square inch of pressure (p.s.i.) to 3500 PSI.  These pressures would not be a good thing to have going into your body so the regulator breaks down this higher pressure to a more tolerable level.  The pressure that is sent into the Low Pressure (LP) ports on the first stage of the regulator can be anywhere from 120 psi to 150 psi depending of the manufacturer specs.  The LP ports which are smaller in diameter than the high pressure ports (HP) would be for your personal second stage (the part that goes into the mouth), the extra second stage commonly called an octopus or occy (one that you would give to a dive buddy if they needed it) and one or two low pressure hoses which are used to fill your Bouyancy Compensator Device and to add air to a drysuit (if you were wearing one).The High Pressure ports (HP) do not break down the pressure and are used for submersible pressure gauges that show you in real time how much pressure you have in the cylinder. Having two HP ports on a regulator used to be to allow for a right handed or left handed hose configurations but it is more often used for air integrated diving computers as a sort of back up.

As far as purchasing a regulator, realize that no company can afford to make a bad egulator as this is considered life support equipment.  You do need to take the following points into consideration though:

Manufacturers do not offer warranties on equipment that is purchased second hand or from non authorized dealers.  Check the manufacturer's  websites to see if the company you are looking to purchase from is authorized to sell their products.

Also check their websites to see if the product is listed or has it been discontinued.  Non authorized dealers may offer their own warranties but you would have to send the equipment back to them for any claims or repair.  Authorized dealers are not obligated to service equipment that is purchased from non authorized dealers.

Make sure the regulator that you are looking at will meet your needs both present and future.  If you want a air integrated computer with a submersible pressure gauge as back up (now or in the future) does it have 2 HP ports.  Look at the features of the regulator and compare them to the features of other regulators.  Compare them to regulators from other manufacturers so you won't end up saying the dreaded "I shoulda got"  Hope this helps out