What must be installed on the first stage regulator to prevent low-pressure hose rupture?

To prevent low-pressure hose rupture in scuba systems, it is essential to install a relief valve set at 180 ± 5 psig on the first stage regulator. This valve acts as a crucial safety mechanism that opens to relieve excess pressure when it reaches the specified threshold. By limiting the pressure output to the low-pressure hoses, which are sensitive to overpressurization, the relief valve helps ensure the hoses do not rupture during operation or in the event of excessive pressure build-up from the regulator.

In scuba diving, maintaining proper pressure regulation is vital for both equipment integrity and the diver's safety. A relief valve serves to protect against harmful pressure spikes that could compromise the functionality of the system. It is common knowledge in diving safety protocols that such measures are critical to avoid catastrophic equipment failures.

The other choices do not directly address the need to prevent low-pressure hose ruptures in the same manner. An emergency backup supply does not regulate the pressure but rather offers a reserve in case of primary system failure. A flow meter serves a different purpose by monitoring the flow of gas but does not prevent overpressure situations. A secondary regulator can manage gas delivery but does not inherently protect the low-pressure hoses from rupture due to high pressure. Thus, the relief valve is specifically