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be connected to low-pressure ports in addition to your primary second stage hose: • A power-inflator hose for your buoyancy compensator. • An alternate second stage or octopus regulator. • A dry suit power-inflator hose, if used. Second Stage The second stage of your regulator has a mouthpiece attached to it (figure 2-19). The second stage further reduces the air pressure from approximately 10 bar (150 psi) above the surrounding pressure to whatever the ambient pressure is. Therefore, the air you breathe is always at the pressure needed by your body, no matter how deep you are under the water. Some regulators offer higher performance than others and deliver a greater volume of air at deeper depths regardless of flow restrictions. This is important, because the deeper you go, the denser the air. If you plan to learn to do deep, wreck, cave, or ice diving or do underwater hunting, you will want a high-performance regulator. Alternate Air Sources It is standard practice that you and your buddy be equipped with alternate air sources in case of emergency. An alternate second stage can be attached to your first stage, or you can carry a source of air totally separate from your scuba cylinder. Octopus Regulators The most common alternate air source is an octopus regulator (figure 2-20). The octopus regulator is an additional second stage that allows you to share air from your cylinder with another diver. The hose for NAUI Scuba Diver 26 Diving Equipment FIGURE 2-20. THE MOST COMMON ALTERNATE AIR SOURCE IS AN OCTOPUS REGULATOR. FIGURE 2-21. SOME ALTERNATE AIR SOURCES ARE COMBINED WITH THE POWER INFLATOR OF THE BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR. FIGURE 2-19. THE MOUTHPIECE IS ATTACHED TO THE SECOND STAGE OF THE REGULATOR.


19116TC
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