A symptom of wanting to go diving REALLY BADLY.

You shouldn't be able to. I'd get it checked.

Brian
Edmonton, Alberta
www.mossmanscubaventures.com

#I am off on a diving holiday (yippee!) the week after next.  I have
#just got my equipment out to check it all looks ok, see if anything is
#fraying, etc.
#
#The reg rig is obviously not attached to a tank but I seem to remember
#that you can't breathe through them in this condition.  That is the
#case with the octopus but on the main reg, if I breathe in real hard I
#can get air through it.
#
#Is this anything to be worried about?  A symptom of anything untoward?
#
#Thanks in advance
#

If the dust cap is in place on the first stage, something's leaking,
probably the exhaust valve in the second stage. If the dust cap isn't
in place, you can usually pull a little air through the regulator by
breathing hard.

An exhaust valve that only leaks when you breath hard against it isn't
a huge deal, but it means it's time to for an anual service (it also
means the reg might breathe a little wet). Persoanlly (and remember
that personal opinions will vary considerably), I'd have it serviced if
there's time (some shops can turn it around in a couple of days. Some
take weeks). If not, I wouldn't worry too much about it, knowing
there's a reasonable chance the rental reg you'd get will have the same
problem.

(x-posted to rec.scuba.equipment)

Alan

That's fine, unless the dust cap is on.  Then something's wrong.

You can't really check out a regulator unles you (1) connect it to
a SCUBA cylinder and (2) dive with it.

If it has been a while, do a dive before you go on holiday.
Even if it is only in a local pool.

Put saran wrap over the exhaust of the 2nd stage. If the leak stops you know the exhaust
valves are incompetent.

If the leak continues, take the 2nd stage with hose off 1st stage and plug end of hose
with Saran Wrap. If the leak stops the leak is in the 1st stage or hose fitting.

Adam