SuperLite
®
17B
28
© ⅯⅯⅩⅡ Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document # 120613005
ally, in the unlikely event the helmet was separated
from the neck clamp/yoke assembly, the helmet will
be retained.
3.4.2 Adjusting the Neck Dam
If your helmet is new, or any time you replace the
neck dam, it must be adjusted to fit you. New neck
dams are cone shaped and will probably be too tight
if not properly trimmed.
Trim the neck dam until it is still snug. (You can
also stretch it by sliding it over a SCUBA tank and
Never dive with a neck dam that is too
tight. A neck dam that is too tight could
cause the diver to pass out due to pres-
sure on the carotid artery in the neck.
This could lead to severe personal injury
or death.
WARNING
allowing it to sit overnight.) If you still cannot get
the proper fit by stretching the neck dam, it must be
trimmed further. Do not trim more than 1/4 inch at
a time.
Trim the neck dam until it is still snug. Trim only a
maximum of 1/4 inch off the circumference of the
neck dam at a time. When you are done, the neck
dam must be tight enough so that it does not leak.
This may feel a bit snug out of the water, but will
be more comfortable underwater once the neoprene
compresses from increased pressure.
Trim the neck dam with the largest, sharpest scissors
available, in order to make as few cuts as possible.
There must be no jagged edges on the neck dam or it
may eventually tear. Sew and/or glue the edge of the
original seam to keep the stitching from unraveling.
As the neoprene neck dam ages, it will become looser,
due to a natural breakdown of the cells. This is par-
ticularly true if the helmet is locked in and out of a
bell or saturation system. As the neck dam becomes
worn it will need replacement to ensure that it seals
properly.
A neoprene neck dam that is too large may be tight-
ened up by cutting a wedge out of the open end. Glue
the cut back edges back together using wet suit ce-
ment, then sew the glued seam together. Be sure to
Avoid trimming neoprene neck dams too
much. Neoprene neck dams will loosen
over time as they are used and the cells
of the foam neoprene break down. If you
trim the neck dam too much it will be too
loose and will leak. Trim the neck dam
until it is snug, then stretch it before use.
CAUTION
Do not breathe the
fumes from uncured
neoprene cement.
These fumes are
dangerous and can
cause unconscious-
ness. They can also
cause long term
damage to body
tissue. Read and
WARNING
follow all precautions listed on the neo-
prene cement can. Allow neoprene ce-
ment to cure for a minimum of 24 hours
before using the helmet.
New neck dams must be adjusted so that they fit
properly.
allow the modification to the neck dam 24 hours to
dry and solvents to off gas.
