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DOL-Fin Orca Mk-2
Owner’s Manual (Rev. 1)
Safety
Page 2
Parts & Assembly
Page 3
Pre-Dive Checkout
Page 7
Use & Operation
Page 7
Care & Maintenance
Page 14
Warranty
Page 16
Smith Aerospace Corp:
PO Box 130, Sahuarita AZ. 85629-130 USA
.
http://www.smithaerospace.us
(520) 399-1741
©
Smith Aerospace Corp. 2014
All Rights Reserved
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Safety:
Before using the DOL-Fin, read this owner’s manual.
Always dive with a dive buddy qualified to perform a diver rescue in the case of an emergency,
and be qualified yourself to perform a rescue for your dive buddy if needed. For your safety and
the safety of your dive buddy you should receive dive training from a recognized training
organization for the level and complexity of the dives you are planning. Significant and life
threatening risks exist for freedivers and scuba divers that require training to understand how to
mitigate those risks. Remember, industry safety standards for diving still apply when using a
DOL-Fin for swimming propulsion and it is important to have a viable plan for dealing with
equipment failures or medical emergencies of any kind at any time during a dive.
The DOL-Fin is not life saving equipment. When learning to use the DOL-Fin, swimmers should
train in confined water with lifeguard supervision. For your own safety, only venture into open
water after you have mastered use of the DOL-Fin. Swimming with the DOL-Fin in open water
or in any unsupervised conditions is done entirely at the swimmer’s own risk.
Before each use, always perform a Pre-Dive Checkout (page 7) of the DOL-Fin equipment to
verify the structural and mechanical integrity of the unit to the swimmer’s own safety and risk
standards. Even easy dives can become dangerous when equipment unexpectedly fails. Never
attempt to stand with both feet engaged into the DOL-Fin as you will be unstable which can cause
you to fall over and can lead to injury. Be careful when using your DOL-Fin around others, as
the fin can injure others if you hit or jab them with it. Make sure you leave appropriate safety
clearances between yourself and others in the water so that it does not contact anyone else while
you are swimming. Do not use your DOL-Fin without the fin tips installed. Use caution when
handling the DOL-Fin that you do not pinch your fingers in the action of the hydrofoil.
The DOL-Fin is a unique and EXPERIMENTAL piece of swimming equipment. Venturing into
the water with unfamiliar equipment can result in injury or death. Understanding and being
competent with the operation of the DOL-Fin is crucial for its safe use. Reading this manual can
assist a user of the DOL-Fin to become competent. However, it is the sole responsibility of the
swimmer to determine whether or not they are competent to use any particular diving/swimming
equipment, including a DOL-Fin, and to evaluate safety and mitigate risk.
Swimming is hazardous in and of itself which can result in serious injury including drowning.
Users of the DOL-Fin should be good swimmers who are comfortable in the water, and not prone
to panic. Swimming with fins can be physically demanding. Therefore, users of the DOL-Fin
should be physically fit. If a potential user has any doubt about their fitness level, he/she should
consult medical advice before venturing into open water.
