SCUBA System Assemby and Disassembly

1
SCUBA System Assemby and Disassembly

• Mike Guckin
• Underwater World, Inc.

2
Choose the Proper Equipment

• Determine BC Size
• X-Large 200lbs
• Large 170 200 lbs
• Medium 130 170 lbs
• Small 110 130 lbs
• X-Small Under 110 lbs
• Select BC

3
Choose the Proper Equipment (Continued)

• Choose A Regulator
• Make sure it has a primary and octopus
• Make sure it has a power inflator hose
• Make sure it has a pressure gauge
• Make sure it has a dust cap
• Inform your instructor if anything is missing

4
Choose the Proper Equipment (Continued)

• Determine Tank Size
• Remember smaller tanks hold less air
• It is not pressure but cubic footage that matters
• Smaller tanks should be used by smaller divers
• Take equipment to set up area
• Lay tank and regulator down

5
Prepare Buoyancy Compensator

• Make sure tank band is properly threaded
• It should appear as in photo
• Strap should NOT be threaded through last slot at
  this time.

6
If Band Is Not Properly Threaded

• Look at numbers and arrows on the buckle

7
Threading The Band (Continued)

• Place strap under buckle following 1 arrow

8
Threading The Band (Continued)

• Thread strap through middle slot (2)

9
Threading The Band (Continued)

• Thread strap through bottom slot (3)

10
Threading The Band (Continued)

• Do NOT thread strap through end slot (4) until
  strap has been pulled as tight as possible.
• You are now ready to place the BC on your tank

Not Yet!
11
Prepare Buoyancy Compensator (Continued)

• Take BC to water and soak the tank band
• A dry tank band will stretch when it gets wet
• If tank band loosens, the tank could fall out of
  the BC

12
Position Tank Properly

• Stand the tank in front of you
• Locate Air Outlet
• Position With Outlet Facing Away
• Valve Handle Normally On the Right
• You Will Assemble Your Equipment With It Facing
  Away From You
• It is like you are standing behind your tank
• That way right and left are oriented properly as
  you assemble your gear

13
Position BC On Tank

• Place BC Tank Strap Over Tank
• Lower BC To Proper Position
• Normally curve of shoulder is at the height of
  the tank valve
• Tank strap must be several inches below the
  shoulder (curve) of the tank
• BC Must Face Away From Diver
• You are now standing behind your tank

14
Position BC On Tank (Continued)

• Tighten tank strap as tight as possible and cock
  buckle to prevent it from sliding back
• Thread strap through last slot and snap buckle
  over, securing BC

15
Placing Regulator On Tank

• Loosen Yoke Screw
• Remove dust cap and make sure it is attached

16
Regulator On Tank (Continued)

• With palms of your hands facing upward, take 2
  hoses with second stages and place in right hand.
• Take pressure gauge and power inflator hose in
  left hand.

17
Regulator On Tank (Continued)

• Position yoke knob in your belly button
• Lower regulator straight down onto tank

18
Securing Regulator Hoses

• Align regulator with the o-ring on the valve.
• Tighten yoke screw with thumb and 2 fingers (do
  not over-tighten)

19
Securing Regulator (Continued)

• Attach power inflator hose
• Attach octopus

20
Securing Regulator (Continued)

• Place pressure gauge on ground, face down
• Place foot on pressure gauge

21
Turning On Your Air

• With your foot on your pressure gauge, turn your
  valve handle counter clockwise until you see the
  hoses pressurize. STOP.
• Wait a few seconds to make sure there are no air
  leaks

22
Turning On Your Air (Continued)

• When satisfied turn valve handle counter
  clockwise until it stops
• Turn valve handle clockwise for ¼ turn

23
Checking Your Air (Continued)

• Look at your pressure gauge to ensure that you
  have a full tank

24
Checking Your Air (Continued)

• Inhale AND exhale off both your primary regulator
  and your octopus.
• Look at your pressure gauge while you inhale. If
  pressure falls, then your valve is not turned all
  the way on. Turn it on.
• Record your starting air pressure
• You are now ready to don your tank

25
Donning Your Tank

• Open all buckles and straps as wide as possible.
• With your buddy holding your tank, place your
  arms through the shoulder straps and adjust the
  waist strap at the proper location.
• Adjust the chest strap so the shoulder straps are
  positioned comfortably.
• Snug the shoulder straps and have your buddy
  slowly release the tank.

26
Doffing Your Tank (End of Dive)

• Have your buddy hold your tank.
• Release chest strap, waist strap and loosen
  shoulder straps.
• Have buddy lower tank to ground.

27
Dissembling SCUBA Unit

• Turn off your air.
• Purge ALL the air out of regulator by pressing
  purge button.

28
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Disconnect Power Inflator.
• Disconnect Octopus.

29
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Remove Regulator from tank.
• Replace dust cap.

30
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Remove BC from tank.
• Do not remove strap from buckle.
• Blow 2 breaths of air into BC.

31
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Hold BC by bottom of lobes.
• Remove inflator from velcro holder.
• With inflator at lowest point, drain water from
  BC.

32
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Either
• Hang BC by both shoulders
• Or
• Place BC in mesh bag

33
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Either
• Hang regulator by yoke.
• Or
• Place regulator in properly numbered regulator
  bag.

34
Disassemble SCUBA Unit (Continued)

• Either
• Return tank to equipment room.
• Place on right hand side where tank reads Empty
  Tanks Only.
• Or
• Lay tank down in assembly area as directed by
  staff.