Atomic Aquatics Z3 Regulator

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.

The Z3 is offered in Yoke, DIN, Yoke Sealed and DIN Sealed versions. The sealed configurations use an optional factory seal on the first stage to prevent outside contamination from silt and sand reaching the internal components. If you dive in silty or sandy conditions, the sealed version is the one to choose; otherwise the standard Yoke or DIN first stage covers typical recreational conditions.

Atomic Aquatics recommends a service interval of 2 years or 300 dives for the Z3. The Limited Lifetime Warranty covers metal parts against corrosion for the original owner and is not contingent on proof of service, while mouthpieces, hoses, o-rings, filters and valve seats carry a 2-year warranty. Warranty registration is required within 30 days of purchase.

The Z3 listed here is the first and second stage set, not an octopus package. Atomic Aquatics offers the Z2 Octo, described as a clone of the Z3 primary second stage, and a Z3 Kit bundle that pairs the Z3 first and second stage with a Z3 Octopus. Those are sold separately. Contact us at 888-701-4017 if you want to add a matching backup second stage.

No. The Z3 uses patented Automatic Flow Control (AFC), a venturi-based airfoil that adjusts breathing performance as depth changes, so routine manual tuning is not required. The soft overmolded Rapid Adjustment Knob is there for special situations, such as surf entry or octo use.