Pay special attention to items marked with this WARNING symbol. 2 WARNINGS: This BC is intended for use only by recreational divers who have successfu

Transcription

1 OR BC BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR EQUIPMENT OWNER'S GUIDE

2 Pay special attention to items marked with this WARNING symbol. 2 WARNINGS: This BC is intended for use only by recreational divers who have successfully completed a course in scuba diving and have been certified by an instructor for an internationally recognized training agency. It must not be used by untrained persons who may not have knowledge of the potential risks and hazards of scuba diving. It is NOT for use by military and commercial divers. As with all underwater life support equipment, improper use or misuse of this product can cause serious injury or death. This BC is not a life jacket; it does not guarantee a head up position of the wearer at the surface. DO NOT depend on this BC to save your life under any circumstances. Prior to each dive inspect and test this BC for proper operation. If any part does not function properly, DO NOT USE! In an emergency, this BC may not provide face-up flotation in all cases for all persons. DO NOT inhale gases from within this BC. If you do not fully understand how to use this BC, or if you have any questions, you should seek instruction in its use from your Authorized AERIS Dealer before you utilize this product. Read and understand this owner s guide completely before diving with this BC.

3 CONTENTS WARNINGS... 2 INTRODUCTION... 4 INSTALLING THE BC ON A TANK... 5 ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT AND HOSE ROUTING... 6 PUTTING THE BC ON AND TAKING THE BC OFF... 6 INFLATOR SYSTEM... 7 OVER PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES... 9 PRIOR TO DIVING WITH YOUR AERIS BC BUOYANCY CONTROL INTEGRATED WEIGHT SYSTEM CARE and MAINTENANCE RECORDS COPYRIGHT NOTICE This owner s guide is copyrighted, all rights are reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent in writing from AERIS / 2002 Design. AERIS BC Owner's Guide, Doc. No Design 2000 San Leandro, Ca. USA TRADEMARK NOTICE AERIS, the AERIS logo, ATMOS, and the ATMOS logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of AERIS. All rights are reserved. LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY For details, refer to the Product Warranty Registration Card provided. 3

4 INTRODUCTION THANK YOU for choosing a BC product from AERIS! This owner's guide describes the unique functions and features of your AERIS BC and various optional accessories. By following the instructions in this guide, you will understand how your BC works, how to make best use of its features, and how to ensure it lasts a long time. All AERIS BCs are made utilizing the latest computer aided design and manufacturing techniques to ensure state of the art performance and reliability. Your AERIS BC comes standard with an adjustable cummerbund, an integrated Inflator System used to inflate and deflate your BC, and over pressure relief valves strategically placed to accommodate control of your buoyancy. Most of AERIS' BC models are also supplied with integrated dumpable and non-dumpable weight pockets that allow you to carry up to 34 pounds of weight. 4

5 INSTALLING THE BC ON A TANK The Tank Band is threaded by the factory prior to shipping. Adjusting the Tank Band properly to securely hold the tank and proper BC placement in relation to the tank are important to ensure maximum comfort during the dive. If the Buckle is threaded or adjusted incorrectly, or not firmly secure, your tank may become loose underwater when the Tank Band is wet. AERIS recommends wetting the Tank Band prior to securing it on a tank. INSTALLATION Stand the tank on the floor with the valve handle to the right. Open the Buckle of the BC Tank Band (do not unthread it). Orient the BC above the tank with the top of the BC facing away from you, and lower it down onto the tank. Adjust the BC to the desired height position in relation to the tank. As a guide, the top of the BC (neck) should be no higher than the bottom of the tank valve. Pull firmly on the end of the Tank Band to secure the BC to the tank. Ratchet the Buckle up and down as you pull on the Band to remove any slack. Hold the end of the Tank Band firmly and rotate the entire Buckle until it snaps against the tank. Lift the Buckle up just enough to thread the tail of the Tank Band through the end slot, and secure the Velcro closure on the tail of the Tank Band. Verify that the BC assembly is firmly secured to the tank by lifting the entire BC / tank assembly by the shoulders of the BC. No movement should be seen between the BC Tank Band and the tank. If the Band moves on the tank, check threading of the Band and repeat the adjustment procedure. 5

6 ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT AND HOSE ROUTING Various D-rings are provided for each model BC to facilitate streamlining of hoses and convenient mounting of accessory equipment. The epaulette style Retainer on the left shoulder is used to secure the corrugated and LP inflator hoses, preventing them from floating back out of reach. D-rings provided on the bottom edge of the BC can be used for attaching lights, game bags, etc. PUTTING THE BC ON Loosen the Shoulder Straps by lifting up on the bottom tabs of the Shoulder Buckles. Open the Waist Band and disconnect the touch fastener on the waist strap and chest strap. Have your buddy hold the BC/tank assembly while you put your arms through the Shoulder Straps and pull it onto your back. Fasten the Waist Band securely at the desired height (about 4 inches of overlapping closure). NOTE: If there is too much or too little overlap, take the BC off and alter the Rear Waist Band Closure which is located on the back of the BC. With the BC on your shoulders and the Waist Band properly adjusted, tighten the Shoulder Straps until secure and comfortable by pulling down on the D-rings located on the ends of the Straps. TAKING THE BC OFF While your buddy holds the BC/tank assembly securely, unclip the Chest and Waist Strap Open the Waist Band, then either loosen the Shoulder Straps by lifting up on the tabs or unclip the quick release Buckles, and exit the BC. 6

7 INFLATOR SYSTEM The AERIS BC Inflator System is designed for working pressures of 120 psi minimum, 140 psi nominal, and 160 psi maximum. Become familiar with the Operating Buttons located on the end and the side of the Inflator Mechanism to minimize the possibility of confusion. POWER INFLATION Have your low pressure Inflator Hose connected to a low pressure port of your regulator First Stage by an Authorized AERIS Dealer. Prior to connecting the low pressure Inflator Hose to the Inflator Mechanism, purge the regulator system of pressure. To connect the Inflator Hose to the Inflator Mechanism, pull back the Coupling Release fitting located on the end of the Hose with your thumb and forefinger and simultaneously press it onto the quick release fitting on the Button End of the Inflator Mechanism (Fig. 1a). Let go of the Coupling Release while continuing to hold the Hose onto the quick release fitting. To inflate the BC, ensure that the low pressure Hose is firmly attached to the Inflator Mechanism and slowly pressurize the regulator system. Press the Inflator Button located on the side of the Inflator Mechanism until you hear air flowing into the BC. Minor compressions of the Button are used to make small adjustments in buoyancy. a Fig. 1 7

8 WARNING: Pressing the Inflator Button fully will cause the BC to inflate rapidly. Overinflation of the BC may cause an unexpected and/or uncontrolled ascent toward the surface. MANUAL INFLATION AND DEFLATION The Button on the end (Fig. 2a) is used to manually inflate and/or deflate the BC. To inflate orally, begin blowing into the Mouthpiece, then depress the End Button. Blowing into the mouthpiece immediately prior to pressing the End Button purges the Mouthpiece cavity of water, resulting in less water entering the BC. NOTE: Some air may leak into the surrounding water when you are orally inflating the BC, even after you have released the End Button. This is considered normal and will not impede the efficient oral inflation of the BC. To deflate the BC through the Mouthpiece, hold the Inflator Mechanism (Button End) higher than the top of the BC and depress the End Button (Fig. 3). The Mouthpiece must be higher than the BC to ensure complete deflation of the BC. While underwater, you will hear the air bubble out through the Mouthpiece when you depress the Button. Fig. 2 Fig. 3 a 8 NOTE: To prevent entry of water into the BC, release the Button before all bubbles stop flowing, or use the Pull Dump method of deflation.

9 PULL DUMP DEFLATION The Button End of the Inflator Mechanism is connected to an Exhaust Valve located in the Shoulder Unit by a cable located inside the corrugated hose. When the Button End of the Inflator Mechanism is pulled down, away from the shoulder, the cable inside pulls the Exhaust Valve open, venting air from the BC through the vents of the Shoulder Unit. The amount of air vented depends on how far the Exhaust Valve is open, and how long it is open. Short tugs vent small amounts of air for minor changes in buoyancy, and a long pull will vent the entire BC in a matter of seconds. OVER PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE(S) The integrated Relief Valves automatically vent excess pressure from the BC bladder. WARNING: To prevent damage to the material of the BC Bladder, the Relief Valve integrated in the Inflator is set at a lower relief pressure than the Relief Valve(s) located on the back of the BC if so equipped. It is imperative that the AERIS Inflator be the only type of Inflator used with an AERIS BC. Never dive with the BC if the Inflator does not function properly, or if the Inflator has been tampered with, modified, or replaced with an Inflator, Airway, Relief Valve, or Shoulder Dump of a manufacturer other than AERIS. 9

10 10 PRIOR TO DIVING WITH YOUR AERIS BC Test the Inflator Mechanism and Over Pressure Relief Valve prior to each dive to ensure they are functioning properly. Press the Inflator (Side) Button until the BC fills completely, forcing the Relief Valve located in the Shoulder Unit to open. The sound of air venting from Valve indicates that it is working properly. While the BC is still inflated, listen for any undesired air leakage around the Inflator Mechanism. The BC should stay inflated until you deflate it manually. WARNING: If you ever hear air, or see bubbles, escaping from the area around the Inflator Mechanism, or if the BC fails to hold air, immediately terminate or postpone the dive until the BC can be serviced by an Authorized AERIS Dealer. Air leakage indicates that there may be a malfunction with the Inflator Hose Coupling, Inflator Mechanism, or a leak in the BC body. You must not dive with a BC that exhibits any of these symptoms. BUOYANCY CONTROL Consult the instructional staff at your local Authorized AERIS Dealer regarding buoyancy training. Additional training and practice in buoyancy control will enhance your diving experience. INTEGRATED WEIGHT SYSTEM AERIS Integrated Weight System consists of Dumpable and Non-Dumpable Weight Pockets that give you the option to load up to 34 pounds of weight that would otherwise require the use of a standard weight belt.

11 WARNING: Use of the Integrated Weight System may not afford the diver with face up flotation, especially if weights are loaded only toward the front of the Dumpable Weight Pockets. WARNING: Weights placed in the Non-Dumpable Pockets cannot be released to provide emergency positive buoyancy in an emergency situation. NON-DUMPABLE WEIGHT POUCHES Most AERIS BCs are fitted with two non-dumpable Weight Pouches located in the lower back near the tank (Fig. 4a). Weights can be loaded into the Pouches to help create a better swim attitude and vertical stability. The maximum weight that you can load in each pocket is 5 pounds. To load weights in the Non-Dumpable Pouches: Lay the BC on its front and unclip the quick disconnects located between the Pouches and the Bladder. Open the Pouch Flaps, insert the desired weights (5 pounds maximum per pouch), and secure the Flaps over the Pouches with the buckle and Velcro closures. Fig. 4 a 11

12 DUMPABLE WEIGHT POCKETS REMOVING WEIGHT POCKETS FROM THE BC Grasp the Handle of a Weight Pocket and firmly pull it straight outward, away from the Flap of the BC Pocket (see Fig. 5). Lift up and open the Flap of the BC Pocket completely. Lift up and open the Flap of the Weight Pocket, then pull the Weight Pocket out of the BC Pocket until the quick release buckle is activated (see Fig. 6). LOADING WEIGHTS INTO THE WEIGHT POUCHES Fig. 5 WARNING: The maximum weight capacity for each Dumpable Weight Pocket is 12 pounds. These amounts should not be exceeded. Amounts that you can actually load may be less due to the type and shape of weights being used. Open the Flap of the Weight Pouch and the inner zipper. Insert the desired weight(s) in the Pouch, and secure the zipper of the Weight Pouch. Fig NOTE: If loading less than the quantity of weights that the Pocket will hold, place the weight in the rear section of the Pouch with the Inner zipper closed to maintain position.

13 INSTALLING DUMPABLE WEIGHT POCKETS IN THE BC (Recommended Method) Orient the Weight Pocket so the Weight Pouch side will be toward the BC body (see Fig. 7). Slide the loaded Weight Pocket down into the BC Pocket. Fasten the Quick Release Buckle by pushing the male end of the buckle into the female buckle until secure (see Fig. 8). Fold the Flap of the BC Pocket down over the Weight Pocket and secure the Velcro. Test the assembly to ensure the pocket is secure. Fig. 7 DUMPING THE WEIGHT POCKETS Bring your body to an Upright position. Simultaneously grasp the Handles of both Weight Pockets and firmly pull them straight upward until the Weight Pockets are completely out of the BC Pockets. Hold the Weight Pockets out so they are clear of all of your gear, and Drop them. To practice this technique while out of the water, remove the BC from the tank. Fig. 8 13

14 CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your BC is will last many years, if cared for properly. Follow the procedures below and have the entire BC inspected annually by your local Authorized AERIS Dealer to ensure it is operating properly and that no components are showing signs of wear. POST DIVE CARE Follow these procedures, in sequence, after each day of diving - Fill the BC Bladder one third full with fresh water through the inflator mouthpiece. Inflate fully then rotate and shake, ensuring a complete internal rinse. Hold upside down, and completely drain the water out through the Mouthpiece. Rinse the outside of the BC with fresh water. Store partially inflated out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Periodically add BC disinfectant (available in dive stores) to rinse water to kill any bacterial growth. Transport your BC in a padded carrying case or equipment bag separated from sharp items (e.g., dive knife, spear gun, etc.) that might puncture the Bladder. You should also protect the Inflator System from damage from heavy objects ( e.g., dive light, first stage, etc.). 14

15 RECORDS BC Model Serial No. Date of Purchase AERIS Dealer Dealer Phone No. INSPECTIONS AND SERVICE Date Service Performed Dealer Technician 15

16 AERIS Doolittle Drive San Leandro, CA Tel: Fax: Design 2000 Doc. No r02 (12/12/02)