What is the primary function of a regulator?

The primary function of a regulator is to deliver breathable air at surrounding pressure. A regulator is a critical piece of diving equipment that reduces the high-pressure air from the tank to a breathable pressure that matches the ambient pressure underwater.

As a diver descends, the pressure around them increases, and the regulator automatically adjusts the flow of air to ensure the diver receives air that is suitable for inhalation at any depth. This allows divers to breathe comfortably without the risk of lung overexpansion or other issues associated with high-pressure air.

In contrast, maintaining buoyancy underwater is managed by a buoyancy control device (BCD), which helps divers ascend, descend, or maintain neutral buoyancy. Preventing water from entering the tank is a function of the tank's design and valve system, not the regulator. Measuring depth accurately is conducted by a depth gauge or dive computer, rather than the regulator itself. Thus, the regulator's specific purpose revolves around providing air at the correct pressure for Safe breathing during the dive.