Reason for drill: Leak suspected from a first stage or manifold area.
Value: Having the ability to diagnose and minimize gas loss while diving manifold doubles with an isolation valve allows the diver to utilize the redundancy of the system, protecting the gas supply.
Procedure:
- Alert team mates
- Switch from your right post long hose 2nd stage to your left post bungee backup 2nd stage.
- Shut down the right post (valve #1).
- Purge the right post 2nd stage.
- Alert team mates.
- Close the isolator valve (valve #2)
- Open the right post.
- Switch from your left post bungee backup 2nd stage to the right post long hose 2nd stage.
- Close the left post (valve #3).
- Purge the left post 2nd stage.
- Alert team mates.
- Open the left post.
- Open the isolator.
Part 2: Understanding a leak from a first stage or the manifold.
Reason for drill: Understanding the flow of gas and how manipulation of our valves effects and controls the flow of gas.
Value: Having the ability to diagnose and minimize gas loss while diving manifold doubles with an isolation valve allows the diver to utilize the redundancy of the system, protecting the gas supply.
Leak detected, unknown origin behind the divers head.
Procedure:
- Alert team mates
- Switch from your right post long hose 2nd stage to your left post bungee backup 2nd stage.
- Shut down the right post (valve #1).
- Purge the right post 2nd stage.
Has the leak stopped?
Yes:
- Have team mates confirm the problem, the solution and exit, no further action is required.
No:
- Alert team mates – if required.
- Close the isolator valve (valve #2)
- Open the right post.
- Switch from your left post bungee backup 2nd stage to the right post long hose 2nd stage.
- Close the left post (valve #3).
- Purge the left post 2nd stage.
Has the leak stopped?
Yes:
- Open the isolator.
- Have team mates confirm the problem, the solution and exit, no further action is required.
No:
- Insure you are breathing from the leaking side – use your team mates to confirm this.
- Have team mates confirm the problem, the solution and exit.
- When you run out of gas on the leaking side, switch to your alternate 2nd stage.
Part 3 Understanding a leak from a 2nd stage
Reason for Drill: Control an uncontrolled leaking 2nd stage.
Value: Stop an uncontrolled leaking 2nd stage, protecting your gas supply.
If you have a free flowing 2nd stage, most likely the issue is with the high pressure seat in the adjoining 1st stage.
Procedure:
- Alert team mates
- Switch to the non leaking 2nd stage.
- Shut down the post to the leaking 2nd stage.
- Have team mates confirm the problem, the solution and exit, no further action is required.
