Chapter 3.0 Operating Instructions; Introduction; Design Purpose - Kirby Morgan 77 Operation And Maintenance Manual

This manual is our effort to explain the operation, maintenance and use of the Kirby Morgan hel-
met. 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
conditions, 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.

3.1 Introduction

This section provides advice on how to use your Kirby
Morgan helmet. The use of these diving helmets will
vary with the type of work and environmental condi-
tions. 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
a particular Kirby Morgan helmet before, he must not
dive with the helmet 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 the SuperLite
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 sur-
face at all times by a trained, qualified 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, assembled
with waterproof tape (and in some umbilicals wound
similar to strands in a rope) to form a single unit.
Some umbilicals also include 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.
© ⅯⅯⅩIⅡ Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document # 130318003
Chapter 3.0
Operating Instructions
WARNING
The umbilical is the diver's lifeline to the diving
control station.
helmets,
®
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 sup-
ply is depleted. This could lead to suffo-
cation or drowning, which could be fatal.
The diver must be tended at the surface at all times by a
trained, qualified commercial diving tender.
Kirby Morgan 77
®
27