Ocean Technology Systems Guardian, Owner'S Manual

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7
Operating the ABV is simple. If you rotate the valve counterclockwise, you
will breathe ambient air. If you have the valve rotated fully clockwise, it will
be closed and you will breathe off of your scuba bottle (assuming you have
your scuba bottle air valve in the ON position).
It is extremely important to verify your ABV is closed (fully clockwise)
before descending.
Regulator to Mask Interface and Air Flow
The Guardian Regulator is specifically designed for use with the Guardian
FFM. The design allows inhaled air to flow in a directional manner through
the mask. As the diver inhales, breathing air is injected through vents
below the visor, flushing the mask with cool, dry air. This keeps the visor
defogged, very much the same as the defogger in a car. The air is pulled
through one-way (check) valves located in the oral/nasal cavity and inhaled
by the diver. The diver then exhales through the diaphragm assembly of
the regulator, resulting in a one-way flow of air through the system. There
is virtually no “push-pull” of inhaled and exhaled air, resulting in extremely
efficient CO2 washout. CO2 is what triggers your urge to breathe. Any
accumulation of CO2 can cause an increased rate of breathing—thus
higher air consumption.
The Guardian Regulator is attached to
the mask in the port of the lower clamp.
There is a red “quick-release” button on
the inside of the mask (Figure 4) that
allows for both easy removal and positive
locking of the regulator in the assembly.
The regulator is keyed to ensure proper
orientation when it is mounted to the mask
with the low-pressure hose routed over the
right shoulder.
The innovative quick-release allows the
diver to disengage the regulator from
the mask for storage and cleaning. The
second stage can then remain with the
first stage regulator, attached to the hose.
Figure 4: Regulator
Quick-Release Button