A coupling apparatus comprising: a first component having a first housing including a first non-mechanical valve, a second component having a second housing including a second non-mechanical valve, and a third component having a first end for coupling with the first valve and a second end for coupling with the second valve, said third component having an elongated bore such that when the first end is coupled to the first valve and the second end is coupled to the second valve, a passageway is defined therethrough, with the third component being housed in the second housing, and the first and second housings (32, 46) are coupled to and separable from one another, characterized in that: the first housing has a first fitting on at least one end thereof and the second housing has a second fitting on at least one end thereof, and the first housing is coupled to the second housing via the joining of the first and second fittings (42,66); the first housing is removable from and rejoinable with the second housing, and the third component is maintained in the second housing when the first and second housings (32,46) are separated from one another; the third component includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion on an exterior surface thereof, said protrusions for mating with surfaces defined in the second housing for retaining the third component inside the second housing; and each of the first non-mechanical valve and the second non-mechanical valve is a resilient, self-sealing member, a duckbill valve, or a slit valve. a first component having a first housing including a first non-mechanical valve, a second component having a second housing including a second non-mechanical valve, and a third component having a first end for coupling with the first valve and a second end for coupling with the second valve, said third component having an elongated bore such that when the first end is coupled to the first valve and the second end is coupled to the second valve, a passageway is defined therethrough, with the third component being housed in the second housing, and the first and second housings (32, 46) are coupled to and separable from one another, characterized in that: the first housing has a first fitting on at least one end thereof and the second housing has a second fitting on at least one end thereof, and the first housing is coupled to the second housing via the joining of the first and second fittings (42,66); the first housing is removable from and rejoinable with the second housing, and the third component is maintained in the second housing when the first and second housings (32,46) are separated from one another; the third component includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion on an exterior surface thereof, said protrusions for mating with surfaces defined in the second housing for retaining the third component inside the second housing; and each of the first non-mechanical valve and the second non-mechanical valve is a resilient, self-sealing member, a duckbill valve, or a slit valve. the first housing has a first fitting on at least one end thereof and the second housing has a second fitting on at least one end thereof, and the first housing is coupled to the second housing via the joining of the first and second fittings (42,66); the first housing is removable from and rejoinable with the second housing, and the third component is maintained in the second housing when the first and second housings (32,46) are separated from one another; the third component includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion on an exterior surface thereof, said protrusions for mating with surfaces defined in the second housing for retaining the third component inside the second housing; and each of the first non-mechanical valve and the second non-mechanical valve is a resilient, self-sealing member, a duckbill valve, or a slit valve.