Zeagle Flathead-7, Owner'S Manual

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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. The Flathead-7
has these freeze resisting features and more, and is the best Zeagle
model for Cold Water. It is not possible to completely eliminate regu-
lator 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.
COLD WATER DIVING
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