xDEEP NX Series User Manual page 7

SAFETY RULES
DANGER
XDEEP BCDS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE USER WITH SAFETY AND COMFORT. IMPROPER USE MAY
RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, THEREFORE IT IS NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING RULES.
1.
Before every dive, carefully inspect all elements of the
equipment, including the BC. For furtherinformation on
the subject, read: "Pre-dive inspection".
2.
Do not dive with the BC if there are signs of defective
operation, damage or wear, such a BC should be with-
drawn from use until it is repaired by an authorized
XDEEP distributor.
3.
During diving, perform mutual buddy-check, visually
inspecting the BC against any leakages or other
irregularities. Arrange checkout procedures with
your buddy and practice relevant diving signs once
again before diving.
4.
In case of an uncontrolled ascent, you should immediately
start releasing air from the BC in order to stop or slow
down the rate of ascent.
5.
In order not to drown as a result of an uncontrolled
descent, in all cases you should be able to use an emer-
gency source of buoyancy or remove the weight. The BC
CANNOT be the only source of buoyancy!
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6.
Do not use your BC to lift or bring heavy objects to the
surface. Doing so may result in a serious accident due to
damage done to the BC or an uncontrolled ascent.
For bringing objects heavier than 2kg, use appropriate
equipment, such as a lift bag.
7.
To prevent the BC from damage, avoid prolonged expo-
sure of your BC to direct sunlight or extreme heat and
keep it away from sharp objects.
8.
Do not inhale air from the BC. It may contain harmful
contaminants, gases, or dangerous bacteria which evolve
in damp places.
9.
A BC is not a lifejacket and does not guarantee a head-up
position of the user on the surface. Therefore, you should
always dive with a buddy in case of losing consciousness
on the surface.
10.
Do not lift or move the BC by pulling the inflator hose.
Such practice may result in irreparable damage to the BC.
11.
When diving in cold water (below 10 degrees Celsius), you
should take into account that the inflator may freeze, as
a result of which, it may supply air in an uncontrolled
way, or other irregularities in its operation may appear.
Before diving in cold water, it is necessary that you prac-
tice emergency procedures should the inflator freeze!
Cold water diving (in the temperature lower than 10°C)
significantly increase the risk of inflator freeze, which
may result in uncontrolled air inflation or other irregular-
ities. In the case of inflator freeze you should follow the
procedures of your diving federation which you've leaned
on your diving course.
In order to minimize the risk of inflator freeze you must
follow these rules:
1.
Use gas mixture according to the EN 12021 norm and
use only dry and clean cylinders filled in the authorized
stations. Increased humidity of the gas has a significant
impact on the increased risk of inflator freeze.
2.
Avoid adding large amount of air to the compensator at
one time since the high flow of air through the inflation
valve considerably increases the risk of valve freeze
while diving in cold waters. Instead you should control
the buoyancy by adding small amounts of air at one time.
3.
Perform the BCD maintenance as per the time periods
specified in this manual. Worn-out parts in the inflator or
any contaminants may trigger rapid growth of ice crystals
inside the inflation valve causing the valve freeze.
4.
While diving in waters of temperature lower than 10°C,
remain at the surface as short as possible.
Diving in tight spaces, in the wrecks, under overhanging
reef walls and in the caves involves the risk of sudden
loss of buoyancy caused by the bladder's puncture due
to the contact with sharp edges of wrecks or reefs or the
lock of the overpressure valve by the sediments falling
down from the ceiling. If the sudden loss of buoyancy
caused by compensator would happen, you should
immediately use the emergency source of buoyancy.
In order to minimize the risk related to sudden loss of
buoyancy we should:
1.
Always have the emergency source of buoyancy available
and make sure that you can use it at any time.
2.
Keep proper distance from the wrecks and reefs. Sharp
edges may cause puncture or cut the compensator blad-
der resulting in sudden and irreparable loss of buoyancy.
3.
Avoid diving into places where sediments, rocks or other
solid particles may fall down from above, e.g. due to the
movement of fins or the flow of water. Falling particles
may block the overpressure valve in a closed or open
state, resulting in incorrect compensator operation.
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