Atomic TFX Regulator Sealed Black

Follow the interval in your regulator's manual, since manufacturers commonly specify an annual inspection or a set number of dives and many warranties depend on it. A regulator is life-support equipment, so service belongs with a factory-trained technician rather than being attempted at home. Have it looked at sooner than scheduled if you notice increased breathing effort, free-flow, bubbles, or water in the second stage.

Make sure the dust cap is dry and firmly seated over the first-stage inlet before the regulator goes anywhere near water, because water inside the first stage is the leading cause of internal corrosion. Rinse in fresh water without pressing the purge button, since purging while depressurized can draw water back into the second stage. Shake out the water and hang it to dry with the hoses in wide, gentle loops rather than tight bends.

Regulators travel well and are usually best carried in hand luggage where they will not be crushed or lost. A regulator holds no gas of its own, so there is nothing inherently problematic about it on an aircraft, though the airline and security screeners always have the final say. Pack it dry with the dust cap in place, in a padded regulator bag or wrapped in soft gear.

Many modern regulators are supplied as suitable for nitrox mixes up to 40 percent oxygen, which is the widely used recreational industry standard, while anything above that requires dedicated oxygen-clean equipment and procedures. Confirm what your specific regulator's manual states, and follow your nitrox training and your fill station's requirements. Never assume a regulator is oxygen-service clean simply because it looks clean or is new.

A yoke (A-clamp) fitting clamps over the tank valve and is the most common connection across much of the recreational world, while a DIN fitting screws into the valve and is standard in much of Europe and in technical diving. DIN captures the o-ring inside the threads, which many divers consider more secure, but yoke is often what rental cylinders provide. Adapters exist in both directions, so check what is used where you dive before deciding.

The octopus is your backup second stage, carried so you can share air with a buddy who is out of gas, or breathe from it yourself if your primary fails or free-flows. It is normally on a longer, brightly colored hose so it is easy to find and hand over under stress. Secure it in the triangle between your chin and the bottom of your rib cage so it is instantly accessible and not dragging through sand or coral.

Store it fully dry, out of sunlight, with the dust cap in place and the hoses in wide loops rather than tightly coiled. Avoid hanging it by the second stages for long periods, which stresses the hose fittings; laying it flat in a padded bag or hanging it by the first stage is kinder. If it has sat unused for a long stretch, have it checked before your next trip rather than assuming it is ready to dive.

It means the exhaust valve is positioned in the center of the inhalation diaphragm, with both mounted at the front of the second stage. Atomic states this arrangement reduces inhalation effort and makes the regulator less sensitive to the different attitudes encountered during diving, unlike conventional rear-exhaust designs where the exhaust valve and the diaphragm are not at the same level when the diver looks upward.

Atomic publishes a service interval of 3 years or 300 dives for the TFX, whichever comes first. The regulator is covered by the Atomic Aquatics Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original owner, and Atomic states that this warranty is not contingent upon obtaining annual service and remains in effect for the lifetime of the original owner.

The complete system weighs 838 grams (1.80 lb) in the Yoke configuration and 778 grams (1.71 lb) in the DIN configuration. Atomic lists the second stage with hose separately at 385 grams (0.85 lb). All metal components in both the first and second stage are titanium.

Each TFX ships as a first and second stage set with the patented Atomic Aquatics Comfort Swivel Hose and a deluxe padded travel bag. Choose the Yoke Sealed version (SKU 03-0300-6P) or the DIN Sealed version (SKU 03-0300-7P) at checkout. The first stage offers 2 HP fixed ports and 5 LP ports on a swivel cap for routing your gauges and second stages.