KMB 18 & 28 MANUAL
page 24
© Copyright 1970-2003 Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document # 010518001
The compressed air (or gas) tank must be fitted
with a first stage regulator to reduce the pressure
to less than 225 P.S.I. ambient diver pressure. The
Band Mask cannot properly handle more pres-
sure without modification. The CE approved
D.S.I. SuperFlo
®
first stage Scuba regulator (Part
#305-161) is the best device for this use. These
regulators reduce the tank pressure to about 145
P.S.I. Use a D.S.I. Scuba regulator hose fitted
with a quick disconnecting locking sleeve (Part
#255-020) to the auxiliary valve assembly (103)
located on the side block (94a/b). The 18A side
block (94a) requires a slightly longer hose such as
used on “octopus” Scuba regulators. Other high
performance scuba first stage regulators may also
be used.
Fig. 2.10 A typical commercial diving harness.
determined by the hazards associated with the
diving job. When determining the size of the
auxiliary gas cylinder to be used, several factors
must be considered. The divers depth, the length
time the diver may be without the main gas
supply, and the gas consumption rate. Regardless
of the cylinder used, it should be of sufficient
volume to allow the diver to ascend at a normal
rate or transit to a point where a normal gas supply
can be reestablished.
European C.E. ONLY
In European countries that have adopted C.E.
certification, only C.E. certified cylinders are al-
lowed to be used and must have a minimum
charged capacity available to the diver of 1400
N/l (50 scf). The auxiliary gas supply must only
be fitted with a KMDSI first stage regulator and
have a KMDSI over pressure relief valve installed
(Part # 200-017). The relief must be adjusted to
start lifting at approximately 20 psig (1.4 bar)
above the regulator intermediate setting. The pur-
pose of the relief valve is to allow pressure to
vent off in the event the first stage regulator de-
velops a leak or creeps. Without a pressure relief
valve, the hose could rupture and the auxiliary
gas supply would be lost.
Most commercial divers wear a harness (separate
from the weight belt) that is used for several
purposes. The harness is fitted with large metal
rings (usually brass or stainless steel). The um-
bilical is hooked into one of these rings to keep
any strain off the helmet. In addition, the rings on
the harness are used to hang tools and other
equipment. Usually the harness is also designed
to provide a means of lifting an unconscious diver
from the water. This harness is the best method of
securing the auxiliary breathing gas to the diver.
DANGER: Never dive without a bail-
out bottle. If your topside supply is inter-
rupted for any reason you will have noth-
ing to breathe. The bail-out must be
matched to the water depth and filled with
the appropriate breathing gas.
