How does a scuba tank work?

A scuba tank stores compressed gas that you breathe underwater. The gas is held at high pressure, usually around 3000 psi (200 bar), inside a strong aluminum or steel cylinder. The tank connects to a regulator that reduces that pressure in stages so you can breathe comfortably at any depth. The first stage, attached to the tank valve, lowers the pressure from extremely high to a manageable range. The second stage, the part you put in your mouth, delivers gas on demand as you inhale.

The tank itself does not push air to you. You create the flow by breathing in, which opens a small valve inside the regulator. When you exhale, the used gas leaves through one-way ports and rises as bubbles to the surface. Most recreational divers use compressed air, but enriched air nitrox and other gas blends are also common. No matter what mix is inside, the idea is the same: store gas safely, reduce its pressure to a breathable level, and deliver it smoothly when you ask for it.

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