What is the primary function of a regulator in scuba diving?

The primary function of a regulator in scuba diving is to reduce tank air pressure for breathing. When divers breathe underwater, they need air at a pressure that is suitable for their lungs. The air in a scuba tank is stored at high pressure, often around 3,000 psi. The regulator is designed to decrease this high pressure to a level that is comfortable and safe for the diver to inhale, typically matching the ambient water pressure at their current depth.

As divers descend, the pressure around them increases, and the regulator dynamically adjusts to deliver air at the proper pressure for breathing, ensuring that the diver can take breaths comfortably regardless of their depth. This function is critical for safe diving, as inhaling air at high tank pressure would be impossible and potentially dangerous.

Other options do not describe the primary function of a regulator accurately. While the regulator is part of the system that allows for safe breathing underwater, it does not store additional air, monitor dive time, or control buoyancy directly, although these functions are supported by other equipment and techniques in diving.