Dive Helmets

[vwdevotee]

I know they don't exactly fall into the category of 'basic gear', but what can you all tell me about the dive helmets like those from Kirkby Morgan? I've noticed that the commercial divers using these never have octopuses (octopi?). Is that because they are surface supplied, and cannot have an out of air emergency? What about a regulator malfunction, how do they deal with that? It looks like some of the divers attach their dry suits directly to the helmet base; how do they do that?

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

I know they don't exactly fall into the category of 'basic gear', but what can you all tell me about the dive helmets like those from Kirkby Morgan? I've noticed that the commercial divers using these never have octopuses (octopi?). Is that because they are surface supplied, and cannot have an out of air emergency? What about a regulator malfunction, how do they deal with that? It looks like some of the divers attach their dry suits directly to the helmet base; how do they do that?

Kirby Morgan hats and masks (Bandmask, EXO-26) have a user adjustable regulator. The user can turn a knob and take the regulator from a demand to a free flow. A commercial diver will also wear a bail out bottle on his / her back in case there is a problem with the surface supply. The diver will also be in communication with a tender on the surface through an umbilical hose. The helmets are attached, by a tender, to a neck dam that slides over the neck and keeps the diver's head dry. With a bandmask or EXO a "spider" or a 5 point rubber strap holds the mask on the diver keeping his face dry. A bandmask or EXO can easily be removed by the diver upon surfacing if there is a problem, but a helmet is much harder, but can be done. Usually a tender is, and should be, right there so the tender will get it off of you. Most commercial divers maintain their own regulators and do their own sevice to keep malfunctions from occuring. The helmets have to be inspected periodically and recertified by the inspector. Commercial diving is apples and oranges to scuba diving, but there are some crossover's and similarties if you watch.

 

[james croft]

Good description by Spd 135. Many bandmasks like the KM have a block with a check valve for surface supplied air and by opening a knob the bailout tank will provide air in the event of a failure from the surface supplied air. Masks like the EXO-26 are not equipped with a manifold block but are a seperate accessory and should be used if diving a bailout or with SS air.
In a regulator failure the band masks and superlites can be adjusted to allow a freeflow so air is still provided.

If one of Emilio Largo's henchmen should cut your air hose there is another option. An umbilical from the surface would normally have a pneumofathometer hose so a tender can see what the divers depth is. This hose is opened at the bottom. A diver can ask for the tender to "blow pneumo" and it will send air rushing through the pneumo hose. The end of the pneumo hose can be shoved into the mask and the diver will have air.

 

[vwdevotee]

Most commercial divers maintain their own regulators and do their own sevice to keep malfunctions from occuring.

So, basically, they keep their stuff in really good condition, and just pray something really bad doesn't happen between inspections?

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

The way regs are made these days, malfuntions are not impossible, but highly improbable, recreationally or commercially. Most malfunctions that do occur come from debris getting inside the cover and pushing the purge button, or diving in extremely cold water with a reg that is not suited or prepared properly. Other's do happen, but these seem to be the most likely. Care, maintanence, and quality equipment usually removes the realistic failure factor. As for hats, they are inspected for minute stress fractures periodically, but the regs are serviced regularly or as needed by techs or the diver's themselves. Not much luck involved to keep trouble away, just modern, maintained, quality equipment.

 

[pipedope]

So, basically, they keep their stuff in really good condition, and just pray something really bad doesn't happen between inspections?

NOPE!

Even a total failure of the reg does not stop the availability of gas.
You can open a valve and freeflow gas into the hat.

NOTHING in commercial diving is, "hope for the best."