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EVERYTHING FOR THE PERFECT DIVE...
Buoyancy
Compensator
Owner’s
Manual
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.2 BC Owner’s Manual Warning / Disclaimer WARNING: This manual provides some basic guidelines for certain buoyancy control techniques using your XS Scuba Buoyancy Compensator (BC), but it is not a substitute for training from a professional diving instructor. If you are unsure how to weight yourself in order to achieve optimum buoyancy underwater and on the surface, do not dive with your XS Scuba BC until you have obtained the necessary instruction from your diving instructor or Autho
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BC Owner’s Manual 3. Table of Contents GENERAL WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS........................................4 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................5 INTENDED USE & FUNCTION........................................................5 OVERVIEW OF STANDARD FEATURES............................................6 PREPARATION & SETUP.............................................................10 INTEGRATED WEIGHT SYSTEMS..............................
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.4 BC Owner’s Manual General Precautions and Warnings • Do not use this Buoyancy Compensator (BC) if you have not received supervised 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 SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Before using this BC, it is important to completely read and understand all of the instructions provided in this owner’s manual, any acco
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BC Owner’s Manual 5. Introduction Thank you for choosing XS Scuba. Your new BC has been designed, manufactured and individually tested to ensure that it consistently meets the highest performance and safety standards possible. This Owner’s Manual describes the unique functions and features of XS Scuba’s BC equipment and various optional accessories. By following the instructions in this manual, you will understand how your BC works, how to make best use of its features, and ho
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.6 BC Owner’s Manual Standard Features WARNING: A Buoyancy Compensator (BC) is NOT a life jacket! It is not designed to provide face-up flotation in all situations, and 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 assist, you may suffer serious injury or death from drowning. Overview of Standard Features & Adjustments Please take the time to acqu
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BC Owner’s Manual 7. vent air by pulling the power inflator straight down. It works best while you are in a vertical heads-up position or in a face-down swimming position. WARNING: The OPV in the Integrated Inflator is set at a lower relief pressure than the optional OPV located on the back of some BC models to prevent damage to the material of the BC air cell. It is imperative that the Integrated Inflator System be the only inflator used with this BC. Never dive with the BC if the
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.8 BC Owner’s Manual Cylinder Band with Buckle This mechanism attaches your BC to your cylinder so that it is securely held at the desired height, without slipping. Some models are equipped with the exclusive Micro Pac™ and two cylinder bands for extra support. The nylon webbing should already be woven through the buckle(s), but instructions for re-weaving are provided in the following section, titled Preparation & Setup. Tank Locator Strap To ensure that your BC is set
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BC Owner’s Manual 9. Releasable Trim Weights If your BC is equipped with this feature, you will find two releasable weight compartments located on the backside of either the air cell or the harness – on opposite sides. These are each designed to hold up to 5 pounds (10 pounds total) of weight to supplement and counter-balance the weight that you wear on your weight belt or X-Lock™ Integrated Weight System. The weight in these pockets can be “dumped” by grasping the strap on the
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.10 BC Owner’s Manual Preparation & Setup XS Scuba recommends that you bring your BC, together with your regulator, to your Authorized XS Scuba Dealer for the installation of the low pressure (LP) quick disconnect inflator hose that is provided with your BC. If it is not possible to return with your regulator to your Authorized Dealer, you may install the LP inflator hose by carefully performing all the steps in the following procedure. LP Inflator Hose Installation WARNING: DO N
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BC Owner’s Manual 11. 1. Ensure that the metal bale of the buckle is as close to the rear of the BC as possible. This provides the greatest range of adjustment. 2. With the buckle fully open, thread the cylinder band up the middle slot and back down through the slot closest to the metal bale. Pull the end to increase the tension in the band. 3. Loosely thread the webbing through the open slot in the end of the buckle, but do not cinch it tight at this time. Attaching
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.12 BC Owner’s Manual Integrated Weight System Releasable Trim Weights ® To install weight in each compartment, unfasten the Velcro to open each ® flap. Insert the desired weight and refasten the Velcro flap. It is important to remember at all times that weight installed in these compartments MAY NOT be easily released during an emergency situation. Before diving with trim weight installed in your BC, it is extremely important to check your buoyancy in shallow water while
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BC Owner’s Manual 13. same amount of weight in order to provide optimum balance in the water. You may otherwise experience a tendency to roll to one side if one pocket is more heavily loaded than the other. X-Lock™ Integrated Weight System Pocket Installation WARNING: Before every dive, it is important to inspect the condition of all connections between the X-Lock™ Integrated Weight System pockets and the BC to ensure that they are clean and free of any wear or damage that may imp
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.14 BC Owner’s Manual To install either pocket, slide the closed end into the opening of the ® compartment, with the band of loop Velcro facing up. Guide it firmly inward ® until the Velcro connection has fully engaged near the end of the compartment. ® Then, fold the pocket’s retaining flap over the Velcro connection on the outside of the BC, and firmly run your hand over the flap. Finally, secure the release buckle. For information about using the X-Lock™ Integrated Weight
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BC Owner’s Manual 15. NOTE: Remember, adjusting the shoulder straps too tightly will transfer the cylinder weight from the hips onto the shoulders, and may restrict your arm movement. 5. Readjust the cummerbund, if necessary, so that it is comfortably snug but not restricting, with an overlap of at least 3 inches. Fasten together the male and female side-squeeze buckles of the outer waist strap over the cummerbund. NOTE: Your BC is equipped with an elastic outer waist st
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.16 BC Owner’s Manual 4. Check the function of the oral inflator button, rapid exhaust valve (REV), and OPV to ensure a rapid and unobstructed exhaust from each valve. Fully inflate the BC once again, and disconnect the Power Inflator to listen for any leakage. CAUTION: If any leakage can be heard, or if the air cell begins to deflate within 5-10 minutes, DO NOT attempt to use the BC until it has received service from an Authorized XS Scuba Dealer. 5. Make a final check of
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BC Owner’s Manual 17. or if you use a different cylinder, BC, or exposure suit. Diving With an X-Lock™ Integrated Weight System It is important to remember that the X-Lock™ Integrated Weight System pockets are connected to the BC independently of each other, unlike a weight belt that has only one release mechanism, and must be released accordingly. This feature provides you with the advantage of being able to ditch only half your weight initially, and thereby maintain better co
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.18 BC Owner’s Manual Power Inflation To connect the LP hose, grip the grooved sleeve at the connection fitting between your thumb and forefinger, and slide the sleeve back. Place the fitting over the inflator valve QD nipple, and firmly push inward while releasing the sleeve. Check to ensure that the hose is securely attached. To inflate your BC, depress the power inflator button. DO NOT hold the inflator button depressed continuously underwater, as this could cause you to bec
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BC Owner’s Manual 19. NOTE: Depressing the oral inflator while the BC is empty may allow water to enter the air cell. Venting With the REV Inside the power inflator’s corrugated hose is a cable that attaches the power inflator to the rapid exhaust valve at the top of the airway assembly. You can thus vent air from the BC by pulling straight down on the power inflator. The amount of air vented depends on how far open the exhaust valve is (i.e., the distance you pull the inner cab
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.20 BC Owner’s Manual Post Dive Care & Maintenance With proper care, your XS Scuba BC will provide many years of reliable service. The following preventative maintenance must be performed to extend the life of your BC: • Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and extreme heat. Nylon fabric can quickly fade when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and extreme heat may damage the welded seams of the BC’s air cell. • Avoid repeated or prolonged use in heavily chlori
