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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright Notice
Warnings, Cautions and Notes Safety Information
Dealer Inspection and Service
Annual Service and Inspection Record
Warranty Information
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Product Replacement on a Prorated Basis Limitations
Basic Setup
Attaching the MP Hose to the First Stage
Routing & Attaching the MP Inflator Hose (i3 Inflator)
GripLock™ Cylinder Band Components
Threading the GripLock™ Cylinder Band
Adjusting the GripLock™ Cylinder Band
Securing the GripLock™ Cylinder Band
Donning and Adjustment Procedures
Adjusting the Rail System
Weight Integration Features
SureLock II™ Integrated Weight Release System Maximum Weight Capacity
Loading Weight into the SureLock II™ Pouches
Installing the SureLock II™ Weight Pouches on your BC
Releasing SureLock II™ Weight Pouches Non-releasable Weight
Inflation Methods Using the i3 System
Power Inflation with the i3 Control Unit
Oral Inflation on BC’s equipped with the i3 System Storing Oral Inflator
Deflation Methods Using the i3 System
Deflation via i3 Control Unit
Deflation via Flat E-Valve (right shoulder) Overpressure Relief (OPR) via Flat E-Valve
Special Features
Knife Grommets
Octo Pocket™
Console Routing and Attachment
Double Cylinder Setup - Using Wrapture Harness Twin Tank Kit
Pre-Dive Inspection for BC’s with i3 Inflation System
BC Inspection Checklist
Post-Dive Care and Maintenance
Storage
Dimension i3/Lotus i3
© 2012 Aqua Lung International
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without prior consent in writing from Aqua Lung. It may not be distributed through the internet or computer bulletin board systems without prior consent in writing from Aqua Lung.
© 2012 Aqua Lung International BC Owner’s Manual
Aqua Lung is a registered trademark of Aqua Lung International
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES
Pay special attention to information provided in warnings, cautions and notes that are accompanied by one of these symbols:
WARNINGS: Indicate a procedure or situation that may result in serious injury or death if instructions are not followed correctly.
CAUTIONS: Indicate any situation or technique that will result in potential damage to the product, or render the product unsafe if instructions are not followed correctly.
NOTES: Are used to emphasize important points, tips and reminders.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
General Precautions & Warnings
This manual provides essential instruction for the proper fitting, adjustment, inspection and care of your new BC. Because Aqua Lung BC’s utilize patented technology, it is very important to take the time to read these instructions in order to understand and fully enjoy the features that are unique to your specific model. Improper use of this BC could result in serious injury or death.
Before using this buoyancy compensator (BC), you must receive instruction and certification in SCUBA diving and buoyancy control from a recognized training agency. Use of SCUBA equipment by uncertified or untrained persons is dangerous and can result in injury or death.
Read this owner’s manual completely before attempting to use your BC, and become familiar with it first in a controlled environment such as a swimming pool, in order to weight yourself properly and to become comfortable with using its many features and adjustments.
Before every dive, perform a complete pre-dive inspection according to the procedure prescribed in this manual, to ensure that all components are functioning properly and no signs of damage or leaks are present. 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 or Distributor.
Your BC is not a lift bag. DO NOT use it to bring heavy objects to the surface. Doing so may cause permanent damage to the BC, and could also result in serious injury or death due to embolism or decompression sickness.
In an emergency such as an out of air situation or uncontrolled descent, it is important to remove and jettison weight immediately. DO NOT depend solely on using your BC’s power inflator to lift you to the surface.
In the event of an uncontrolled, rapid ascent, it is important to immediately begin venting air from the BC. Continue venting air to slow your ascent rate if neutral buoyancy cannot be reestablished.
DO NOT inhale from your oral inflator. The BC may contain harmful contaminants or gases, which could cause suffocation or injury.
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Factory prescribed service for this BC must be performed at least once annually by a factory trained technician who is employed by an Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor. Annual service consists of a complete overhaul of the power inflator, and a general air leak inspection of the bladder and valve connections.
Disassembly, repair, or lubrication must not be attempted by persons who are not factory trained and authorized by Aqua Lung. Unauthorized service will render the warranty null and void.
This BC is designed for use with compressed air or Nitrox/EAN (enriched air nitrox) mixtures not exceeding 40% oxygen. Any use of gas mixtures with increased oxygen content or the addition of helium or other substances may cause corrosion, deterioration and/or premature aging of the BC leading to component failure of the metal and rubber parts. The component failures could lead to a loss of buoyancy control and/or pressure integrity of the BC resulting in injury or death.
Non-standard breathing mixtures may also present a risk of fire or explosion. The use of Nitrox/
EAN requires additional training. Failure to observe this warning may result in injury or death. Use only nitrogen/oxygen mixtures containing no more than 40% oxygen.
CE Conformity - This BC conforms to EN 1809: 1997. It was controlled by the l’Institut National de Plongée
Professionnelle,organisme notifié n°0078, entrée n°3 port de la pointe rouge 13008 Marseille -France.
TEMPERATURE LIMITATIONS: This BC should be used in temperatures no lower than -4°F (-20°C) and no higher than 150°F (65°C).
WARNING: This is NOT a life jacket: It does not guarantee a head up position of the wearer at the surface. It is not designed to provide face-up flotation in all situations; therefore it does not meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations for a life preserver or personal flotation device (PFD). If you become unconscious in the water without a buddy present to immediately give assistance, you may suffer serious injury or death from drowning.
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Your buoyancy compensator is primarily designed to help you maintain neutral buoyancy while in a comfortably balanced, face-down swimming position underwater. It is also designed to provide you with flotation so that you can rest on the surface, but it is not designed to function as a life preserver or personal flotation device (PFD). In order to meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations, a PFD must be designed so that it automatically rights you to a face-up position and holds your head out of the water on the surface. The design characteristics of a personal flotation device are different from those of a buoyancy compensator. The ability of any flotation device to float you in a face-up position can also be affected by other diving equipment you wear, including a cylinder, weight or exposure suit, and whether it can be inflated before you lose consciousness.
For this reason, it is important to always dive with and maintain close proximity to your buddy at all times. Do not depend on any flotation device to hold your face above the surface in the event that you are rendered unconscious in the water while diving.
If you have any questions regarding your Buoyancy Compensator or the information found in this manual, please contact your regional Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor. Distributor information is available on the Aqua Lung website at: www.aqualung.com
WARNING: Although this manual provides some basic guidelines for certain buoyancy control techniques, it is not a substitute for training from a professional diving instructor. Failure to weight yourself properly may create a hazardous condition that could lead to serious injury or death. If you are unsure how to weight yourself in order to achieve optimum buoyancy underwater and on the surface, do not dive until you have obtained the necessary instruction from your diving instructor or an Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor.
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DEALER INSPECTION AND SERVICE
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to perform any disassembly or service of your BC. Service requiring disassembly must only be performed by a factory-trainedAqua Lung technician. To obtain service or repair, such as power inflator service or replacement of the bladder, see your local Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor.
1.It cannot be assumed that the BC is in good working order on the basis that it has received little use since it was last serviced. Remember that prolonged or improper storage can still result in internal corrosion and/or deterioration of o-ring seals and valve springs, as well as bladder seam degradation.
2.It is imperative that you obtain prescribed dealer service for your BC at least once a year from an authorized dealer, including a general air leak inspection, visual inspection of the SureLock weight pouch handles (if equipped) and complete overhaul of the power inflator and OPR valve. Your BC may require this service more frequently, depending on the amount of use it receives and the environmental conditions it is used in.
3.If the BC is used for rental or training purposes in salt, chlorinated, or silted fresh water, it will require prescribed dealer service every three to six months. Use in chlorinated water will greatly accelerate the deterioration of most components, and require more frequent service.
4.DO NOT attempt to perform any disassembly or overhaul service of your BC. Doing so may cause the BC to dangerously malfunction, and will render the warranty null and void. All service must be performed by an Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor
NOTE: It is important to obtain prescribed dealer service for your BC at least once annually, from an Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer or Distributor, your personal safety and the mechanical integrity of your BC depends on it.
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ANNUAL SERVICE AND INSPECTION RECORD
Purchase Date:
Store Name:
Country:
BC Model:
Serial Number:
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DEALER NAME |
CITY, STATE |
COUNTRY |
TECH INITIALS |
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© 2012 Aqua Lung International
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WARRANTY INFORMATION
All warranty transactions must be accompanied by proof of original purchase from an Authorized Aqua
Lung Dealer or Distributor. Be sure to save your sales receipt, and present it whenever returning your BC for warranty service.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Warranty coverage on buoyancy compensators covers the product throughout its useful life, subject to the conditions listed below and utilizes a pro-rated replacement policy*.
Aqua Lung 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. The Limited Lifetime
Warranty is extended only to the original purchaser for purchases made from an Authorized Aqua Lung
Dealer or Distributor and is not transferable. This warranty is limited to repair or replacement only at the discretion of Aqua Lung.
* PRODUCT REPLACEMENT ON A PRORATED BASIS
Products under the Limited Lifetime Warranty that malfunction due to material or manufacturer defects that have also had a significant amount of use will be replaced on a prorated basis. Prorating will be determined by a percentage factor based on the condition of the product and how long the product was used prior to the warranty claim. This can be useful to evaluate Limited Lifetime Warranty claims since the warranty period is for the “useful life of the product” and not a set length of time. The following guidelines should be used in determining what prorated percentage will be used.
NOTE: This can be a subjective evaluation. Fair and reasonable judgment should be used.
Prorated Values of Products Sold at Retail |
Aqua Lung Pays |
Customer Pays |
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Like new and less than 2 years old |
100% |
0% |
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Slightly used and less than 5 years old |
75% |
25% |
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Very used and /or more than 5 years old |
50% |
50% |
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Worn out |
0% |
100% |
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© 2012 Aqua Lung International
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WARRANTY LIMITATIONS
Warranty coverage does not extend to damages caused by improper use, improper maintenance, neglect, unauthorized repairs, modifications, accidents, fire, casualty or normal wear and aging.
Cosmetic damage(s), such as scratches, nicks and fraying are not covered under warranty except when the product is new, out of the original packaging.
This warranty does not extend to equipment used for rental, commercial or military purposes.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have rights which vary from state to state and country to country.
AQUA LUNG DISCLAIMS AND EXCLUDES ANY LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES. SOME STATES IN THE U.S. AND CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW
EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THIS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
WARNING: It is dangerous for untrained and uncertified persons to use the equipment covered by this warranty. Therefore, use of this equipment by an untrained person renders any and all warranties null and void. Use of SCUBA equipment by anyone who is not a trained and certified diver, or receiving training under the supervision of an instructor, could lead to serious injury or death.
© 2012 Aqua Lung International
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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.
NOTE: The terms “hook”, “loop” and “hook & loop” are used throughout this manual. Hook &
Loop is commonly known as Velcro®, which is a trademarked brand of hook & loop. Many of the BC’s components have hook & loop attachments, including the waistband, cylinder bands, weight pouch flaps and inflator hold down.
If it is not possible to return the BC with your regulator to your authorized dealer, you may install the MP quick disconnect inflator hose by carefully performing the steps in the following procedure. Please note that the procedure varies based on the presence or absence of the i3 Control Unit.
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ATTACHING THE MP HOSE TO THE FIRST STAGE
1.Remove the inflator hose from the power inflator body by gripping the grooved sleeve over the quick disconnect coupling with your thumb and forefinger.
Slide the sleeve back.
2.Remove the port plug from an MP port on the regulator using an appropriately sized wrench.
WARNING: DO NOT connect the inflator hose to a high pressure (HP) port (greater than 200 psi / 14 bar). This may cause the hose to burst when pressurized, which can result in serious injury. If you are unsure which regulator port is medium pressure (MP) or high pressure (HP), consult your regulator owner’s manual or your dealer before attaching the hose.
3. Check to ensure the o-ring is present and in good condition.
Screw the threaded end of the hose into the port and tighten to
40 in-lbs (4.5 Nm) with a 9/16” wrench.
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ROUTING & ATTACHING THE MP INFLATOR HOSE (i3 INFLATOR)
1.After attaching the BC and regulator to a cylinder, make sure the bladder is completely deflated.
2.Route the MP hose through the rear slot at the top of the BC bladder and down the left side.
3.Route hose through the sleeve behind the pocket.
Remove the dust cap from the quick disconnect plug on the i3 control unit.
NOTE: Keep the dust cap on while not in use.
4. Grab the hose grip between your thumb and forefinger, then slide the sleeve back.
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5. Place the fitting over the quick disconnect plug and firmly push inward while releasing the hose grip. Check to ensure the hose is securely attached.
6. To test the connection, slowly open the cylinder valve and pressurize the regulator. Lift up on the lever and listen for the flow of air into the BC bladder.
NOTE: BC’s using the i3 system are equipped with longer then normal MP inflator hoses. It is very important to us the inflator hose provided with your BC (if the hose is too short it will not reach the i3 control unit).
Hose lengths are as follows:
XXS/XS/SM - 27 inches (68.5 cm) (pn 44827)- Red
M/ML/L - 33 inches (84 cm) (pn 44833) - White
XL - (Dimension i3 and Axiom i3 only) 36 inches (91.5 cm) (pn 44836) - Blue
XXL - (Axiom i3 only) 40 inches (101.5 cm) (pn 44840) - Lt Gray
© 2012 Aqua Lung International
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