What to Do if Water Keeps Entering Your Regulator During a Dive
A Practical Guide for Divers
Breathing from your regulator should always feel smooth and dry. But sometimes divers suddenly notice water entering the second stage while breathing.
This can feel uncomfortable and even stressful — especially for inexperienced divers.
The good news:
In most cases it's not a serious emergency, but it should be handled correctly.
Let's look at what to do underwater and why it happens in the first place.
1. What To Do Underwater
If water repeatedly enters your regulator while breathing:
1️⃣ Stay calm
A small amount of water in the regulator is usually not dangerous. Most regulators can still deliver air even when partially flooded.
2️⃣ Try clearing the regulator
You can remove the water by:
- Exhaling forcefully into the regulator
- Using the purge button
Often this immediately solves the problem.
3️⃣ Switch to your alternate air source (Octopus)
If the problem continues:
- Switch to your octopus
- Signal your buddy that you have an equipment issue
The octopus should work normally if the problem is only with your primary regulator.
4️⃣ Consider ending the dive
If the issue persists or breathing becomes uncomfortable:
- Inform your buddy
- Ascend safely
- End the dive
Diving with unreliable equipment is never worth the risk. Having an emergency plan helps you respond effectively when things go wrong.
2. Why Does Water Enter the Regulator?
In most cases, the reason is surprisingly simple:
The regulator was not properly checked before the dive.
A correct pre-dive equipment check can prevent most of these issues.
3. The Simple Regulator Check Every Diver Should Do
Before entering the water, take 30 seconds to verify that your regulator is working correctly. This check is part of a full pre-dive safety check – learn why it matters and what else to verify.
Step 1 – Open the tank valve
Open the cylinder valve completely and check your pressure gauge. Make sure the tank contains the expected amount of gas.
Step 2 – Take several breaths from both second stages
Test:
- Primary regulator
- Octopus
Take a few deep breaths from each. Breathing should feel smooth and dry.
Step 3 – Close the tank valve
Now close the cylinder valve again.
Step 4 – Breathe the regulator empty
Continue breathing from the primary regulator. The regulator should gradually run out of air and stop delivering gas completely. At that moment you should no longer be able to inhale.
Step 5 – What you should observe
If the regulator stops delivering gas completely:
✅ Everything is working correctly
If air continues flowing or you can still breathe:
⚠️ Something is wrong.
Possible causes:
- Exhaust valve does not seal correctly
- Mouthpiece damaged or cut
- Regulator leaking internally
In that case do not dive until the problem is fixed.
4. Common Causes of Water in the Regulator
The most common reasons include:
- Damaged mouthpiece
- Loose mouthpiece zip tie
- Exhaust valve not sealing
- Sand or debris inside the second stage
- Improper equipment setup
Most of these problems are easy to spot during a proper pre-dive check.
5. A Small Check That Prevents Big Problems
Many regulator problems during dives could be avoided with a simple 30-second check before entering the water.
Professional divers and instructors always verify their equipment before every dive.
It's a small habit that makes diving safer and more relaxed.
💡 Tip:
Always breathe a few times from both regulators before entering the water — it's one of the easiest ways to avoid equipment problems underwater. If you dive independently, the
Solo Diver
course teaches you to handle equipment issues confidently.
You already learned these skills: Assembling and disassembling the scuba unit, the regulator check, and clearing the regulator were part of your Open Water Diver training – and are refreshed in a Scuba Review . They are standard exercises that help you spot and fix regulator issues before they become a problem underwater.
🔗 Related Reading
More Tips & Tricks – Practical diving guides and equipment tips
- Pre-Dive Safety Check – Why it matters and what to verify before every dive
- BCD Inflating by Itself – What to do when your BCD inflates on its own
- Emergency Plan – Prepare for unexpected situations
- Solo Diver – Self-reliance and backup procedures
- Dive Boat Safety – Safety on and around the boat
