Can you actually talk while having a scuba regulator in your mouth?

 The Answer to this would be Yes, A full face mask with an integrated reg and a transceiver.  You can talk with either other divers or to the surface with most of the rigs on the market these days. They are very expensive which is why normal divers won't use them.

As for talking with another diver using a normal, run of the mill, reg set, yes. You actually can. You're muffled and some of the consonants don't sound right, but it's understandable. Try saying the letter "P" with a straw in your mouth. Then you'll understand it takes a little listening and figuring out, what the other diver is saying. Some things like " Slow down" can easily be said and understood on the other hand. It's rare that a diver will resort to this though, as we tend to use hand signals for the most part, but verbal comms is handy if the other diver is out of sight but nearby.

Let me know your thoughs on this, Leave a reply below.

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How to Keep Your Scuba Regulator Working For Many Years to Come

Your scuba diving regulator is a crucial piece of dive gear. After all, without it we wouldn't be diving. And who can imagine life without diving?

Since it is such an important piece of equipment, we need to take care of it properly. Luckily, it is not hard to take good care of your regulator. So no excuses. Just follow the scuba regulator maintenance tips below and you should be breathing nice and easy underwater for years to come.

Steps for Scuba Regulator Care

* Dry Dustcap and Seal Properly
* If you are going to be rinsing your regulator while it is off the tank, you need to make sure no water gets in the second stage. First, ensure that the dustcap is dry. One way to do this is to blow the water off with air from the tank. Alternatively, you can use a towel to dry the surface of the dustcap. Then securely fasten the dustcap on the opening. Make sure you have a proper seal because you do not want any water to get in the first stage of the regulator. Soak the Regulator
* If you only do one thing in your scuba regulator care routine, make it be this step.This is an important step and will get rid of any deposits that may be on your regulator. Swoosh the regulator around a bit to get rid of any loose particles. Dive shops usually have a rinse tank that you can use after a dive to rinse your gear. If you are not at a shop, rinse your regulator as soon as you get a chance. Move the Levers (but not the purge!)
* Work any levers/buttons back and forth to loosen anything that may have attached to your equipment. Do this while the regulator is underwater. However, make sure you do not push the purge button. This will let water into the second stage which could travel up to the first stage. Something you do not want to happen. Finish With a Stream of Water
* While you will probably get most of the debris out of the regulator with the above steps, if you get a chance, run a stream of water through the first and second stages (again, with the dust cap securely in place and without pushing the purge button). This should get rid of any remaining particles in the chambers and other openings. Dry the Regulator
* Before you store it, let the regulator dry thoroughly. Do not dry in the direct sunlight as it can affect any rubber parts. Store Properly
* Store the regulator in a cool, dry spot. Store away from sunlight and fumes. Position the regulator in such a way that the hoses are not kinked. Get Annual Scuba Regulator Service
Most scuba regulator manufacturers require the regulator to be serviced annually in order to remain under warranty. Check the terms on your regulator. While this step has been subject to debate, it is probably the safest thing to do.

Hopefully you will agree with me that scuba diving regulator maintenance is pretty easy. Just follow this guide and you should have many great and safe dives ahead of you

What might cause my scuba regulator to wheeze when getting low on air?

I was browesing Yahoo answers the other day and came a cross this thouth it was very interesting and some I should share with you.

What might cause my scuba regulator to wheeze when getting low on air?


I have a brand new first and second stage from oceanic. I've taken the equipment on two dives so far and both times towards the end of the dive I would hear an occasional wheezing noise as I inhaled. Couldn't tell whether it was first or second stage reg, or the hose itself. Anyone have this issue before or know what it means? Thanks for any help. I'm with DMG - if you haven't had your reg in to be serviced, take it in. Your primary regulator should never 'wheeze' or 'honk'. It's almost certainly the second stage.

I learned recently that it's not unusual for regulators to ship from the factory *not* correctly set to factory specs. I've got an AquaLung (the one actually built by APEKS) and when it came back from its first annual service I had to learn how to handle it all over again because it seemed like it wanted to free-flow. Turns out, my reg was not set right to start with (not bad out of spec, but the difference was noticeable).

i would take it back to were you got if from that doesn't sound normal. i have never had that issue before but i don't have a oceanic.

Your regs need to go back to the shop to be serviced. And you should never go below 50 bar. People who do, need their head examined.It's just too dangerous.

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Ways to clean a rented scuba regulator?

I recently rented some scuba gear for a dive and the regulator mouth piece.. i wanted to make sure its not dirty and gross. Plus i want to make sure that i got all the previous spit from that last user off. How would I clean the mouth piece of the regulator so its truly clean and it wont damage or change anything.
You can take germophobia too far you know. Every dive centre I've worked for made sure that all the gear was washed thoroughly after it was returned. A good slosh in the rinse tank, followed by hanging it up to drip dry, is more than sufficient to clean the spit out.

However, if you want to make absolutely sure, a general rule would be, don't wash the mouthpieces in anything you wouldn't put in your mouth. I would suggest you soak the second stages in a weak solution of antibacterial mouthwash (e.g. listerine) overnight. If you do that, and then rinse the mouthpieces out with fresh water, you can be reasonably sure that it's clean enough to use.

Although I should point out, as soon as you jump in the sea with it, you'll be exposing yourself to far higher levels of bacteria than what might have been on the mouthpiece in the first place...


I agree with TJS on this one. Between the ocean, dive boat, and everything else, you'll be exposed to other sources of bacteria. If you have good oral health and no open sores in your mouth, the level of exposure from a rental regulator is negligible.

Most places that rent gear count on the gear lasting for a long time. After a rental, the rental gear is rinsed (dunked) in fresh water. While this won't sanitize the mouthpiece, it will make it safe for the next renter (if the next renter has good oral health).

If you are still not convinced, then the best thing to do is when you rent a regulator, buy a new mouth piece at that time. Ask the dive shop to swap the mouthpieces for you. This way you have a non-contaminated mouthpiece, and the dive shop put it on for you.

There are other nooks and crannies in the mouthpiece and where the mouthpiece attaches. I doubt just soaking, wiping, or spraying the mouthpiece will really sterilize it. Go with the new mouth piece if you must. You could even keep the old mouth piece from the rental regulator and then have the dive shop switch it back once you return it. Then you have your own personal mouthpiece to take with you.

Get a large bucket and fill with warm water and put some vinegar in it. Soak for 30 minute or more and rinse out thoroughly with clean fresh water. This will clean out the reg and mouth piece without damaging it.

If this is a serious concern of yours, I highly recommend buying your own regulator.

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