Kmb 18A, Kmb 18 B And Kmb 28 Band Mask Configurations; Design Purpose - Kirby Morgan KMB-18 A/B Operation And Maintenance Manual

KMB 18 & 28 MANUAL
Additional differences between the Kirby Mor-
gan Band Mask KMB 18A/B and the Kirby
Morgan Band Mask KMB 28 are as follows:
1) The face port (27) in the KMB 28 is a slightly
different size than the KMB 18A/B.
2) The main exhaust body (67) is molded into the
mask frame in the KMB 28.
3) The exhaust covers on the two masks are
slightly different.
4) There is a vacuum formed comfort insert (14)
in the KMB 18A/B.
5) The air train in the KMB 28 requires a special
standoff (24) for proper mounting of the side
block.
It is our hope that the Kirby Morgan Band Mask
(KMB 18A/B or KMB 28), will provide comfort
and safety to your diving. This manual is our
effort to explain the operation, maintenance and
use of the Kirby Morgan Band Mask (KMB 18A/
B & 28).
WARNING: We do not herein make
any effort to teach the principles of div-
ing. It is our assumption the reader is a
qualified diver.
If there is any information in this manual that is
not clear, contact Kirby Morgan Dive Systems,
Inc. at (805) 965-8538 for clarification.
1.2 KIRBY MORGAN BAND MASK A (KMB
18A), KIRBY MORGAN BAND MASK B
(KMB 18B), AND KIRBY MORGAN BAND
MASK 28 (KMB 28) CONFIGURATIONS
The Kirby Morgan Band Mask 18 (KMB 18) is
manufactured in two configurations. With the
exception of the side block assembly (120a/b),
the hose assembly (117a) with its inlet nipple
(61a), and the bent tube assembly (117b) with its
page 10
© Copyright 1970-2003 Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document # 010518001
inlet nipple (61b) and jam nut (61c), the two
models are identical. The configuration of the
KMB 28 is almost identical to the KMB 18B.
The Kirby Morgan Band Mask A (KMB 18A)
side block assembly (120a) receives the main and
auxiliary gas supplies from hoses that run down
in front of the diver. The Kirby Morgan Band
Mask 18B (KMB 18B) side block assembly (120b)
receives the hoses from over the diver's shoulder.
All "location" numbers that are for the "A' model
will have a small "a" and all "location" numbers
for the "B" only will have a small "b".
Some divers prefer the hoses to go over their
shoulder to clear their front when working. Oth-
ers prefer the hoses to go down their front to
prevent fouling. It depends on the type of work
and what the diver finds comfortable.

1.3 DESIGN PURPOSE

The Kirby Morgan Band Masks 18A/B & 28 are
designed for use with an umbilical.
WARNING: Only under very con-
trolled conditions, i.e., non-moving water
(such as swimming pools or calm lakes),
can this mask be used with a self con-
tained gas supply. There is no provision
for surface swimming once the SCUBA
air supply is depleted.
The umbilical is usually composed of at least a
gas or air supply hose and communication wire,
assembled with waterproof tape 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 imperative that air/gas umbilicals 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 um-
bilical fitting fatigue and possible failure. The
umbilical is the diver's lifeline to the diving
control station.