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Scuba Regulator Test: Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of ScubaLab's Gear Review

By Scuba Diving Editors | Updated On December 26, 2023
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Scuba Regulator Test: Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of ScubaLab's Gear Review

Scubalab test divers underwater at Alexander Springs

Scubalab test divers underwater at Alexander Springs

John Michael Bullock

Testing On The Reg
ScubaLab Director Roger Roy and Digital Editor Becca Hurley test the latest scuba regulators underwater at Alexander Springs.

For ScubaLab's 2016 scuba diving regulator review in (Scuba Diving's August issue) our test team traveled to Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest where we put 11 new regulators through their paces. Check out what goes on behind the scenes at a ScubLlab test with these photos from our two days worth of in-water testing.

This is an important part of ScubaLab's review process because it allows a pool of seasoned divers to evaluate how the regulators feel and perform in the field. Equally important are the objective tests, where we ran the regs on an ANSTI breathing machine to see how well they moved air at different depths and breathing rates.

ScubaLab test divers underwater with scuba regulators

ScubaLab test divers underwater with scuba regulators

John Michael Bullock

Breathing Easy
Digital Editor Becca Hurley makes some notes while test diver David Woods tests his regulator's ease of breathing in a face-up position.

Scuba divers assemble dive gear

Scuba divers assemble dive gear

John Michael Bullock

Staging the First Stages
Test divers assemble their regulators and other scuba gear before diving in Alexander Springs.

Regulator Test Categories and Criteria

We provided testers with a number of criteria to evaluate during the in-water test. Some categories seem to matter more to testers than others. Regulators that marked highly for these features were very popular among our test divers.

Controls That Work
Venturi levers and breathing adjustments should be comfortable, easy to operate and effective. Several regs in this year's test had some of the best controls we've ever used.

Sensible Hose Layouts
First-stage port positions should give you enough options to route hoses safely and conveniently, without awkward arrangements. Rotating turrets provide lots of options.

Super-Light Second Stages
A day of diving with a too-heavy second stage is a real pain in the jaw. Size and profile of the second stage are important for comfort too, but above all, we're fans of feather-weight breathers.

Scuba diver underwater testing regulators at Alexander Springs, Florida

Scuba diver underwater testing regulators at Alexander Springs, Florida

John Michael Bullock

Taking Notes
Assistant Editor Robby Myers writes down some observations while testing a scuba diving regulator.

Close up of scuba diver's regulator underwater

Close up of scuba diver's regulator underwater

John Michael Bullock

Stress Test
Test divers evaluated the shape and weight of the second stage regulator on how well they prevented jaw fatigue.

Scuba diver purging regulator at ScubaLab test

Scuba diver purging regulator at ScubaLab test

John Michael Bullock

Blowing Bubbles
Digital Editor Becca Hurley tests the purge function on her scuba regulator.

Scuba diver upside down underwater ScubaLab regulator test

Scuba diver upside down underwater ScubaLab regulator test

John Michael Bullock

Fins Up, Seven Up
Test diver Matt Jones swims upside down to see how dry the scuba regulator breathes in different positions.

ScubaLab tests scuba diving regulators underwater at Alexander Springs

ScubaLab tests scuba diving regulators underwater at Alexander Springs

John Michael Bullock

The Purge
ScubaLab Director Roger Roy tests how easily his scuba regulator purges water.

Scuba diver setting up dive gear

Scuba diver setting up dive gear

John Michael Bullock

Reg Swap
Digital Editor Becca Hurley attaches a new regulator in-between test dives at Alexander Springs.

Scuba diver prepares regulator and gear

Scuba diver prepares regulator and gear

John Michael Bullock

Ease of Use
One of the test criteria for scuba regulators was how easy it was to setup and how well the first-stage ports help or hinder the attachment and use of the BC, octo, SPG, ect.

ScubaLab scuba diving regulator test at Alexander Springs

ScubaLab scuba diving regulator test at Alexander Springs

John Michael Bullock

Testers' Table
ScubaLab sets up the test HQ right next to Alexander Springs so divers can easily return data sheets and swap regulators without exiting the water.

Scuba diver prepares regulator for diving at Alexander Springs

Scuba diver prepares regulator for diving at Alexander Springs

John Michael Bullock

Some Supervision Required
Test Team Supervisor Tom Wuest keeps the test running smoothly by keeping track of who has tested which regulator and helps divers swap gear.


Want More Behind The Scenes?

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