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Aqua Lung International. It may not be distributed through the internet or computer bulletin board systems without prior consent in writing from Aqua Lung International.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual CONTENTS QUICK REFERENCE SAFETY INFORMATION General Precautions & Warnings BASIC SETUP Attaching the MP Hose to the First Stage Securing the BC to the Cylinder Threading the Cylinder Band Double Cylinder Setup Adjusting the Fit...
If you find that your BC is not functioning properly or is damaged, remove it from service until it can be repaired by an authorized Aqua Lung Dealer. ®...
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Aqua Lung Dealer. ® If you have any questions regarding your Buoyancy Compensator or these instructions, contact your local dealer or Aqua Lung at: (760) 597-5000...
BASIC SETUP Aqua Lung recommends that you bring your buoyancy compensator, together with your regulator, to your authorized dealer for the installation of the MP inflator hose and other accessories. The retailer can also answer any questions you may have pertaining to the information in this manual.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Securing the BC to the Cylinder Note: BC cylinder bands adjust for all standard cylinder diameters: 6.9" (17.5 cm), 7.25" (18.5 cm), and 8.0" (20.3 cm). The cylinder bands are prop- erly threaded to the buckles when the BC leaves the factory. If rethread- ing is necessary, follow the procedure in the next section: Threading the Cylinder Band.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual WARNING: The cylinder band will initially stretch as it becomes wet. Always wet the band before making the final adjustment; apply enough tension to ensure that the cylinder is completely secure. Test this connection before every dive. If the cylinder slips free from the BC during the dive, you may lose your air supply, which could lead to serious injury or death.
Double Cylinder Setup Aqua Lung does not offer a twin cylinder kit for the Pearl i3. If you want to adapt twin cylinders to the Pearl i3, you must consult with your professional dive retailer about third-party twin band kits that would work with the Pearl i3.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual ADJUSTING THE FIT The Pearl i3 has two adjustments that allow you to customize the fit: the position of the shoulder buckles and the length of the cummerbund. The procedures for making these adjustments are outlined below. It is im- portant to take into account the exposure suit you will be wearing when making adjustments.
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Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Adjusting the Cummerbund Length The Pearl i3 has a two-part cummerbund. Each part of the cummerbund is secured to the backside of the back pad with a specially designed retaining pin. The length of the cummerbund is changed by inserting the retaining pin into one of three available channels on the cummerbund.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Routing & Attaching the MP Inflator Hose . After attaching the BC and regulator to a cylinder, make sure the blad- der is completely deflated (see Deflation Methods, p. 22.) 2. Route the MP hose down...
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Lift up on the lever and listen for the flow of air into the BC bladder. NOTE: The Pearl i3 is equipped with a longer than normal MP inflator hose. It is very important to use the inflator hose provided with the BC (if the hose is too short it will not reach the i3 control unit.)
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual WEIGHT INTEGRATION FEATURES The Pearl i3 features the SureLock™ (SL) weight system. With the Sure- Lock™ system, weight pouches are secured with a mechanical locking mechanism, as opposed to a hook & loop attachment used on other models.
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Fig. 1 Surelock™ Weight Pouch Installation CAUTION: Aqua Lung strongly recommends that you do not attempt to don your BC when it is fully loaded with weight. You may otherwise risk injury due to muscle strain or a temporary loss of balance.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Releasing Weight Pouches Unlike a weight belt, which has only one release mechanism, each weight pouch is connected to the BC independently of the other and must be released separately. This provides you with the option of being able to jettison one pouch at a time, thereby maintaining better control of your ascent rate in an emergency.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Non-releasable Weight To supplement the releasable weight, the Pearl i3 is designed to carry non-releaseable weights in two fixed pockets located on the cylinder band. For sizes S-L, each pocket can hold up to 5 lbs (10 lbs/4.6 kg total).
(lower part) of your back. The tension- ing bands should be fully extended when fastening the cummerbund at the surface. NOTE: The Pearl i3 cummerbund has a heavy-duty elastic tensioning band that allows the cummerbund to compensate for suit compression while at depth.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual INFLATION METHODS Oral Inflation The oral inflation tube is located under the flap/hook & loop on the left shoulder of the BC. To orally inflate your BC, pull down on the mouthpiece to fully extend the oral inflation tube so that there are no kinks in the tube.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Storing Oral Inflator When the oral inflator is not in use, fold the tube and store it under the flap/hook & loop using the following method. Using your index finger as a guide, begin folding the oral inflator hose, bending once under the pouch.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Secure the oral inflator snugly with the flap/hook & loop. WARNING: Incorrect oral inflator storage could result in a failure to deploy. Power Inflation with the i3 Control Unit For the power inflator to operate, the MP inflator hose must be connected (see “Routing and Attaching the MP Inflator Hose”, p.
WARNING: Avoid using excessive torque when pressing the lever of the i3 Control Unit. Deflation via Flat E-Valve (right shoulder) The Pearl i3 is equipped with Flat E-Valve Technology. To deflate the BC, manually pull on the knob and cord assembly located on the right front shoulder to quickly dump air.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Overpressure Relief (OPR) via Flat E-Valve In addition to the Flat E-Valve on the right shoulder, the Pearl i3 has a second Flat E- Valve on the back lower right of the BC. Lower E-Valve Both Flat E-Valves function as overpressure relief valves to relieve ex- cess pressure inside the bladder.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Knife Attachment The Pearl i3 has two grommet holes located at the top of the left pocket. These holes are designed to accept many of the specialty knives available from Deep See. For information on...
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual Multiport The Pearl i3 is equipped with a multiport located on the left shoulder. The multiport can be used with the dedicated oral inflator. The multiport also allows use of the Air Source. In addition, the multiport...
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual PREDIVE INSPECTION Before each use, the BC must be given a thorough visual inspection and functional test. NEVER dive with a BC that shows signs of damage to its bladder or valves until it has received a complete inspection and service from an authorized dealer.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual POSTDIVE CARE & MAINTENANCE With proper care, your BC will provide many years of reliable service. The following preventive maintenance must be performed to extend the life of your BC: . Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and extreme heat.
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual DEALER INSPECTION & SERVICE WARNING: DO NOT attempt to perform any disassembly or service of your BC. Service requiring disassembly must only be performed by a factory-trained Aqua Lung technician. To obtain service or repair, ®...
Pearl i3 BC Owner’s Manual ANNUAL SERVICE & INSPECTION RECORD Note: Serial number is located under oral inflator hold-down. Purchase Date Store Name Serial # Date Dealer Name City, State Tech Initials...
Aqua Lung America warrants to the original purchaser for the useful life of the product, from the date of purchase, that the product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, provided that it receives normal use, proper care and prescribed dealer service subject to the limitations listed below.