Kirby 77 Initial Adjustments to Your Helmet, Ring Neck dam Stepped Split Pull Strap, Head Cushion

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Kirby Morgan 77

3.4 Initial Adjustments to Your Helmet

Before using the helmet for the first time, it must be checked and adjusted for proper fit. There are several adjustments that must be made to provide a more comfortable fit when wearing the helmet.

3.4.1 Head Cushion

The fit of the helmet is primarily determined by the layers of open cell foam that fill the head cushion bag.

The center top/rear foam is very dense to reduce

WARNING

KMDSI must have your current address to ensure that you receive all safety notices and other important information concern- ing the helmet. Please notify KMDSI of any change of address.

compression and spring-back. This reduces the ten- dency of the helmet to ride up when underwater. Do not replace this rigid foam with a soft foam. A softer foam is used on the sides and around the bottom of the head cushion.

The diver’s head can be moved forward into the oral nasal mask by adding layers of additional foam at the rear of the head cushion. Do not add to much foam to the rear of the head cushion, as this may position the diver’s chin too far into the oral/nasal mask and create an uncomfortable fit. The diver’s head can be moved up or down in the helmet by decreasing or increasing the foam pads at the top of the head cushion.

Usually, a diver with a small head will use all the foam that comes with a new hat. A diver with a larger head will need to remove a layer of foam in the center top and back of the head cushion. The foam may be cut with scissors to provide a better fit, or more foam can be added to give a tighter fit.

The chin cushion can also be adjusted if necessary.

3.4.2 Trimming the Neck Dam

If your helmet is new, or any time you replace the neck dam, it must be adjusted to fit you. New neck dams are cone shaped and will probably be too tight if not properly trimmed.

The neck dam must be trimmed to fit your neck. To trim the neck dam, have your tender hold the neck

The head cushion should be adjusted for best fit.

dam opening so that the two “edges” of the neck dam are parallel. The neck dam must be under slight tension but must not be stretched beyond its normal length. Trim the neck dam with the largest, sharpest scissors available, in order to make as few cuts as possible. There must be no jagged edges on the neck dam or it may tear.

Trim only 1/4 inch off the neck dam at a time. When you are done, the neck dam must be just tight enough

O-ring

Neck dam

Stepped

 

Ring

Split

 

Ring

Pull

 

Strap

Screw

 

Neck Dam components.

WARNING

Never dive with a neck dam that is too tight. A neck dam that is too tight could cause the diver to pass out due to pres- sure on the carotid artery in the neck. This could lead to severe personal injury or death.

© Copyright 1970-2008 Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Document #080626002

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Contents Introduction Design PurposeKirby Morgan First Use of Your Kirby Morgan Diving Helmet Trimming the Neck Dam Initial Adjustments to Your HelmetRing Neck dam Stepped Split Pull Strap Head CushionTrimming the neck dam Adjusting the Neck PadPre-Dive Visual Inspection Pre Dress-In ProcedureCheck Communications Clean Face PortPreparing the Helmet for Diving Check Moving PartsDiver donning a complete bail-out system Emergency Gas System EGSDiver’s body. Never allow the umbilical Kirby Morgan Kirby Morgan Kirby Morgan Flushing Out the Umbilical Setting Up to DiveFogging Prevention Kirby Morgan Opening the Breathing Gas Supply to the HelmetEver the diver has his helmet on his head Kirby Morgan Donning The Kirby Morgan HelmetTender must always be present to Assist the diver while dressing and whenKirby Morgan Kirby Morgan Sealing Integrity Check Kirby Morgan Testing the Breathing SystemRemoving the Helmet Diving Procedures Gas Flow Stops Emergency ProceduresFlooding Inhalation ResistanceKirby Morgan Demand Regulator Free Flow Storage of the Helmet Between Dives Post Dive ProceduresRemoving the Equipment Removing the Helmet