Zeagle CW Octo 320-5010, Owner'S Manual

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10
Cold water is defined as water at a temperature of 50 degrees F (10°
C) or lower. In cold water there is a risk of the first or second stage
freezing. The risk of freezing is increased as the ambient tempera-
ture gets lower, the air flow increases, and/or the moisture content
of the air supply increases. Regulators for cold water use should
have environmentally sealed first stages to prevent water entry and
lower the chance of freezing. The second stages should have extra
heat absorbing features such as the metal Heat-sink found on the
Zeagle ZX and CW Octopus regulators. Extra care should be taken
with Octopus regulators used in cold water diving because unlike the
primary second stage, they do not spend the entire dive in the diver’s
mouth, gaining the benefits of warm exhaled breath. It is not possible
to completely eliminate regulator freezing under all conditions. In
order to reduce the possibility you should:
1. Start the dive with the regulators as warm as possible. If the air
temperature is far below freezing, try to warm the regulators by pour-
ing warm water over them or dunking them in warm water just before
entry.
2. If an Octopus regulator is put into the mouth underwater (IF safely
possible), try to start the breathing cycle with a long exhalation to get
the interior of the 2nd stage as warm as possible before the first breath
is drawn.
3. Avoid pushing the purge button in the second stage during cold
water diving operations.
4. Avoid high rates of breathing, and excessive inflation of buoyancy
devices or dry suits. The deeper the dive the greater the risk.
5. Do not practice unnecessary buddy breathing, etc.
6. Do not use your regulator to fill lift bags, etc.
7. Keep YOUR regulator in YOUR mouth. In an emergency, offer or
take the spare regulator. When taking the spare regulator, do not hit
the purge button to clear the water (if possible). Clear the regulator
with as long a first exhalation as is safely possible.
COLD WATER DIVING