Assemble The Kit:
- Stand the cylinder tank up (normally keep it on its side) and slide the BCD on to it, valve facing the BCD, tightening the band as much as possible before closing the lock.
- Check the cylinder band is tight enough by holding up the cylinder using the BCD without the band slipping.
- Face the BCD away from you, remove the dust cap on the regulator and attach it with the gauge on the left.
- Attach the BCD hose and dry suit hose (if using).
- Slowly open the valve all the way, then half a turn back.
- Check the air pressure and the regulator purge of both regulators.
- Lay the kit down until it's time to use it.
Important Hand Signals
Pre-Dive Checks
- Begin - BCD
- With - Weights
- Review - Releases
- And - Air
- Friend - Final OK
5 Point Descent
- Signal to buddy that you're ready to descend.
- Orient yourself to something on the surface.
- Switch to the regulator with your face in the water.
- Check the time or start a stopwatch.
- Slowly deflate your BCD and exhale. Immediately equalise ears. Descend slow enough to stop at any point.
5 Point Ascent
- Signal to buddy that you're ready to ascend.
- Note the time.
- Hold your right hand over your head. Hold up the BCD hose with the left hand.
- Look up and around.
- Slowly swim up, while breathing normally. To control the ascent, air might have to be released.
Dry Suits
- Make sure you know where the valves are.
- Put it on at the last moment to avoid overheating.
- Fully zip up the suit then purge excess air by pulling open the neck seal or the exhaust valve and squatting while hugging yourself. Replace the seal before standing up.
- Use the BCD for surface buoyancy but on descent vent the BCD and use the suit instead.
- On descent, add air to equalise the suit and prevent it squeezing you, using short light bursts.
- On ascent, depress the valve if air isn't released fast enough.
- Most problems are due to excess air/over buoyancy. To solve this, dump the air using the valve or seals. If the air is at the feet, tuck into a ball and roll onto back to force the air to the top of the suit where you can vent it. Always remember to breathe normally. For flooded suits, immediately do a controlled ascent, using the BCD for buoyancy.
Extra Tips
- Hold the weight belt buckle in the left hand and the other side in the right. Step over it and bend forwards to put it on.
- When putting the BCD on, double check your head isn't touching the valve.
- To clear your mask, fill with water and exhale through the nose, holding the top of the mask against the forehead.
