The low pressure inflator hose connects a regulator first stage to a buoyancy compensator's (BC) inflation mechanism, allowing divers to add air to the BC at the touch of a button.
1. Sleeve
The metallic sleeve encircling the outside of the low pressure inflator hose's connection mechanism slides back towards to hose. This sleeve must be held back to connect the hose to the BC inflator mechanism. Sleeves are usually textured to make them easier to grasp underwater. Divers planning on diving in cold water or with gloves should look for sleeves with well-defined, raised ridges which make them very easy to hold on to.
2. Attachment Opening
A diver attaches his BC's inflator mechanism to a low pressure inflator hose by inserting the BC inflator connection into the hose's opening while holding back its sleeve. Low pressure inflator hose attachment openings come in different sizes. Divers need to be sure that their inflator hose attachment will fit on to the BC inflator they plan to use.
