SuperLite
®
17B
© ⅯⅯⅩⅡ Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document # 120613005
25
3.1 Introduction
This section provides advice on how to use the
SuperLite
®
-17B. The use of these diving helmets
will vary with the type of work and environmental
conditions. The basic procedures of donning and
removing these helmets will be similar for every job.
A proper training program in a calm, clear body of
water should be undertaken. If the diver has not used
the SuperLite
®
-17B before, they must not dive with
these helmets without proper training.
However, divers that are familiar and trained in the
use of previous Kirby Morgan masks; i.e., KMB 8,
9, 10, 18, 28, the Navy MK. 1 mask, Navy MK. 21
helmet, or the Navy Mk. 22 mask, or other Kirby
Morgan helmets, will find that all Kirby Morgan
diving helmets and masks have the breathing system
controls located in the same position. The operation
of this helmet will also be similar. The diver must be
tended at the surface at all times by a trained, quali-
fied commercial diving tender.
3.2 Design Purpose
All Kirby Morgan diving helmets are designed for
use with an umbilical.
The umbilical is usually composed of at least a gas
or air supply hose and communication wire, assem-
bled with waterproof tape (and in some umbilicals
wound similar to strands in a rope) to form a single
unit. Some umbilicals also have included a hose for
hot water, a pneumofathometer hose, and a strength
member, such as a cable or strong line.
It is strongly recommended that the air/gas umbilical
be married to a strength member in a manner that
allows the strength member to receive the strain.
This will help reduce the possibility of umbilical and
umbilical fitting fatigue and possible failure.
The diver must be tended at the surface at all times
by a trained, qualified commercial diving tender.
Chapter 3
Operating Instructions
This manual is our effort to explain the operation, maintenance and use of the SuperLite
®
-17B.
We do not herein make any effort to teach the principles of diving. It is our assumption the reader
is a qualified diver. We highly recommend that all divers should train, under controlled condi-
tions, in the use of any model of commercial diving helmet that they have not previously used or
trained in, prior to use on the job.
WARNING
WARNING
Kirby Morgan diving helmets are not in-
tended for use with a self contained gas
supply (scuba). There is no provision for
surface swimming once the scuba air
supply is depleted. This could lead to
suffocation or drowning, which could be
fatal.