Congratulations on the purchase of your new Buoyancy Compensator (BC). SUBGEAR has designed,
engineered and tested your new BC with extreme care in order to provide you with a product that
provides performance, dependability and comfort.
We hope you enjoy many years of diving pleasure with it.
1. GeneraL InFormatIon
This information has been developed for your safety. Please read and understand this manual completely
before using your new Buoyancy Compensator.
primary purpose of the Buoyancy compensator
The primary purpose of a Buoyancy Compensator is to make you more comfortable by enabling you to
maintain neutral buoyancy at depth.
You are neutrally buoyant when you maintain a specific depth without expending significant physical
effort to prevent an ascent or descent from that depth.
Intended use
tHIs Is not a LIFe JacKet. Emergency face up flotation may not be provided for all wearers
and in all conditions.
This will explain how your Buoyancy Compensator should be used for maximum safety, comfort and
enjoyment.
Weighting for neutral Buoyancy at the end of the Dive
Your overall buoyancy will typically vary from the start to the end of the dive, especially as SCUBA
cylinders become more buoyant as you consume air. Weighting for neutral buoyancy at the end of the
dive with a SCUBA cylinder low on air (typically 500 psi/35 bar) allows you to comfortably stop during
your ascent at 10 – 15 feet (3m – 5m), as recommended by SCUBA certification agencies.
Start on the surface of the water with all gear in place, floating without kicking. Your BC should be
deflated and your SCUBA cylinder should be full. You will add weight to be neutrally buoyant at the
end of the dive, so add the proper amount of weight to become slightly negative because of the full
SCUBA cylinder. You should very slowly sink while you breathe normally. Do not add air to the BC, only
add or subtract weight. Consult your SCUBA instructor for additional help in setting up your equipment
and weight.
surface Flotation
The BC can add to your surface buoyancy, making surface swimming easier. The BC alone, however,
will not necessarily provide adequate surface flotation.
Descent control
Your BC can be used to control the rate of descent. Once you have started your descent, you can add
air to the BC to compensate for any loss of buoyancy caused by water pressure compressing your
exposure suit or other gear.
maintaining neutral Buoyancy at Depth
Adjusting your buoyancy during the descent, you will arrive at your desired diving depth neutrally
buoyant. Adding or releasing the correct amount of air will assist in maintaining neutral buoyancy as you
change depth during the dive.
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