Dräger Life Preserver, Instructions For Use Manual

Page: 17 / 24

Operation
17
Use whilst diving
The vest can be used as swimming aid at the surface, as an
emergency escape device and as a buoyancy vest.
Inflation via the oral valve
●
The Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest can be inflated via
the oral valve when the button at the end of the inflation
system is pressed in by mouth. Release the oral valve to
retain the air in the vest.
Filling via air cylinders
●
Inflate the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest by unscrewing
the compressed air cylinders anticlockwise. Slowly and
carefully open the air valve to prevent too much air from flo-
wing into the rescue vest too fast.
When the buoyancy control device is full set an overpressure
between approx. 0.120 bar and 0.190 bar (1.7 and 2.8 psi) at
the pressure relief valve.
"Power" Inflation
●
If used with an open diving apparatus connect the additio-
nal medium pressure hose of the diving apparatus via the
quick-release connection to the inflator system. By pressing
the inflator button on the side of the inflator head fill the
Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest with compressed gas
from the diving apparatus.
●
To inflate the vest via the CO
2
cartridges pull the trigger line
of the CO
2
inflators abruptly down.
Deflating the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest
●
The rescue vest can be deflated via the oral valve, the flus-
hing button at the Power Inflator or by pulling the cord of
the pressure relief valve.
Clear the mouthpiece from sand or salt water. To do so blow
in before pressing the button.
WARNING
Risk of uncontrolled fast ascension.
When using the vest as a buoyancy vest and when filling the
vest as described above add air carefully for improved con-
trol of the buoyancy.
WARNING
After activation the CO
2
cartridges empty completely into the
control device of the buoyancy vest. This process cannot be
stopped.
Swimming on the surface of the water
●
Slowly inflate the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest via the
mouthpiece (or the Power Inflator if using an open diving
apparatus) until a comfortable swimming position has been
achieved.
●
When swimming at the surface of the water with a self-con-
tained diving apparatus, fill the breathing bag of the self-
contained diving apparatus to at least half its volume, then
slowly inflate the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest until a
comfortable position has been achieved; this results in a
comfortable swimming position without the snap fasteners
being opened.
Dependent on the buoyancy of the diver and the equipment
used it is often possible to partially inflate the vest without the
snap fasteners opening in order to achieve a corresponding
buoyancy.
Switching from SCUBA to LAR under water
●
When switching from an open diving apparatus (SCUBA)
to a self-contained diving apparatus, fully release the front
strap of the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest and open the
front buckle. Briefly remove the second stage (demand air
system) of the diving apparatus (SCUBA) and put your head
through the top straps of the self-contained diving appara-
tus. Ensure that the housing of the self-contained diving
apparatus is positioned between the two bottom chambers
of the rescue vest (NOT on the chambers) and close the
front buckle.
●
Flush with LAR as per instructions for use and start brea-
thing from the LAR.
●
When swiching from SCUBA to a self-contained diving
apparatus open the quick-release buckle at the bottom
strap of the LAR, lead the strap around the front of the LAR
or the housing of the LAR and then close the quick-release
buckle again.
●
Take off the self-contained diving apparatus, close the cylin-
der valve of the LAR and remove the mouthpiece. Breathe
from the demand air system of the SCUBA. Open the front
strap of the Dräger Life Preserver rescue valve and open
the neck strap of the LAR. Remove LAR and close the front
strap of the Dräger Life Preserver rescue vest again. Adjust
strap for shortest distance.