Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro Owner's manual

Brand: Aqua Lung

Model: Hazmat / Enviro

Type: Owner's manual

Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro Below you will find brief product information for Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro. Please read the instructions carefully to familiarize yourself with the product before the first use.

Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro is a dry suit that has been designed to provide the user with the highest degree of comfort and convenience. Aqua Lung constructs these suits with the finest quality materials, design, and production. Since 1956, their suits have been used by professional dive and rescue teams, and they have a reputation for performance and durability.

Each drysuit is individually inspected and tank tested before it leaves the factory. Aqua Lung recommends that you have your suit professionally serviced annually.

Congratulations on your Drysuit Purchase

Your drysuit has been designed to provide you with the highest degree of comfort and convenience. Since

1956 we have been constructing suits with the finest quality materials, design and production excellence.

Our suits have been used for many years by professional dive and rescue teams and have a reputation for

performance and durability.

Each drysuit is individually inspected and tank tested before it leaves our factory.

From time to time your suit, including its valves, zippers and seals, may require professional service. If,

for any reason, you suspect that service is required, or your suit and/or its components do not perform as

they should, then you should immediately discontinue its use and have it evaluated and/or serviced at your

authorized dealer. Our recommended interval is annually.

A little effort goes a long way to keeping your suit in optimum working order. Please take a moment to

familiarize yourself with the care, maintenance and warranty information. If you have any questions about

your suit, please do not hesitate to contact your authorized dealer.

The dry suit and has been found to be in accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 89/686/

EEC. When examined the product satisfied the requirements of the manufacturer’s technical specifications

(based upon EN14225:2005 requirements), which has been previously assessed and deemed to meet the

basic health and safety requirements (Annex II) of the directive.

Components Supplied with your Drysuit

Every drysuit comes supplied with:

- Suspenders - Inflation Hose - Owner's Manual - Zipper Lubricant

Drysuit Accessories

A full range of accessories is available to add to the comfort or practicality of using

your drysuit. For details, please refer to the current product catalogue and/or www.aqualung.com.

Dry suit compatibility

The dry suit is compatible with all standard diving equipment, such as: undersuit, mask, fins, BCD, tanks,

regulator etc. The user should be trained and familiar with the use of the equipment for use with the dry suit.

The size of suit is

marked on interior

label of suit with

size of suit per

published chart with

Height and Chest

sizing included.

HEIGHT

CHEST

Table of Contents

Critical Safety Precautions & Limitations on Use 4

User Guidance & Warnings 5-6

Limited Warranty 6

Donning a Back Entry Drysuit 7-8

Post Dive Procedures, Cleaning & Decontamination 8-10

Disposal 10

Polytex Neck & Wrist Seal Care 11

Fitting Polytex Seals 11

Exhaust Valve 12

Inflator Valve & Low Pressure Hose 13

Folding Suit for Storage 14

Drysuit Zipper Care 14-15

Installing Inflator & Exhaust Valves 15

Finding a Leak 16

Repairing a Hole 17

Changing Polytex Neck Seal and/or Hood 18

Replacing Wrist Seals, Neck Seal & Hood 19

Critical Safety Precautions & Limitations on Use

1 Complete a drysuit diving course from an instructor and stay current.

2 Always use a buoyancy compensation device (BCD) when diving with a drysuit.

3 Know your equipment and emergency procedures.

4 Practice your drysuit diving skills under controlled conditions until you are fully conversant. If div-

ing in open water, consider using a shot line or the boat’s anchor line to control your ascent.

5 If diving with a buddy ensure that he/she understands your drysuit system.

6 Use the correct amount of insulation (thermal protection) for the water temperature you are diving

in and your exercise rate.

7 Don't weight yourself heavier than neutral buoyancy with an empty tank. Your weighting should

allow you to make a safety stop at an appropriate depth in accordance with the decompression

schedule in use.

8 Inspect your valves, zipper and seals for proper performance before each dive.

9 Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on your suit and valves regularly, or have them

serviced by a qualified individual.

10 Know your limitations and do not exceed them.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This is not a diving instruction manual, nor does it eliminate the necessity for obtaining professional

instruction in the operation of a drysuit, diving in contaminated water or having a diving certification. The

user is therefore advised to obtain such instruction as well as familiarizing him or herself with the informa-

tion contained in this manual prior to operation of any drysuit.

Use: This suit should only be used in conditions appropriate for this type of CE certification, within user

qualifications and in accordance with the regulations of the local jurisdiction. The maximum operating depth

is determined by the users training, experience level and certified limits of breathing apparatus.

Variation of Buoyancy: Improper use or misuse of this drysuit could result in the loss of buoyancy control,

including uncontrolled descents and uncontrolled rapid ascents, which could result in decompression sick-

ness, air embolism, drowning and death. The presence of a volume gas inside the suit will be subject to the

effects of compression and expansion relative to the hydrostatic pressure. Inappropriate use of the inflator

and the purge could cause squeeze during the descent as well as a too-fast ascent, which could result in a

decompression accident. An undergarment used in combination with this drysuit shall allow free passage

of air between the user’s body and the deflation device for proper exhausting and inflation. Do not use the

drysuit as a lift bag. If you use the drysuit as a lift bag and lose the grip on the object, you may become ex-

cessively buoyant. This may result in rapid ascent. Rapid ascent is dangerous and may cause air embolism

or decompression sickness, either of which can result in serious injury or death.

Inflation Gas: Introducing gas into the suit should serve only to control the internal volume and so main-

taining the thermal protection. Use of a drysuit will in no way replace the need for a buoyancy compensation

device (BCD). This suit is intended for use with compressed air or with Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) where the

percentage of oxygen in the EAN does not exceed 40%. Do not use any other gas or mixture for inflation of

the suit. Using any EAN with a percentage of oxygen exceeding 40% for inflation presents a risk of fire and

explosion. When using argon there is a risk of this gas getting into a full-face mask and the breathing system

through the hood. The effects of breathing argon are more narcotic than nitrogen when under increased

partial pressure.

Thermal Protection: This suit leaves only your head and hands in direct contact with the water. The

temperature of the water in which you will use this suit will likely require that you also wear a hood and

gloves. This suit offers thermal protection as long as it is used with an undergarment with a thickness

appropriate to the temperature of the water. Several types of undergarments are available. The choice of

undergarment is influenced by the drysuit material, the temperature of the water in which you plan to dive,

and your work rate. An inappropriate choice of undergarment could cause hypothermia or hyperthermia.

Only specialized training will give you the knowledge required to make the best choice of equipment.

User Guidance & Warnings

Your drysuit is warranted for a period of (3) years from the date of original purchase to be free from de-

fects in workmanship, material, and seams. Warranty is valid to the original purchaser and non-transferable.

The zipper and valves are warranted for a period of (1) year from the date of original purchase from de-

fects in materials and workmanship. Drysuit seals (wrist & neck) are warranted for a period of 90 days from

defects in material and workmanship.

Warranties do not extend to damages caused by normal or abusive wear and tear, fading, misuse,

improper trimming, negligence, or effects from chemical exposure. This warranty is invalid if negligent or

unauthorized repair procedures have resulted in damage to the drysuit.

Any product determined to be defective in material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced at our

discretion free of charge. Suit must be returned freight prepaid with proof of purchase. Proof of purchase

must be established to obtain warranty service or replacement.

Hydrostatic pressure will reduce the thickness of the suit. Thus the thermal protection of the suit can

reduce with depth.

Work Rate: Work rates will be influenced by choice of undergarment being worn and water temperature.

Too high of a work rate in conjunction with a thick undergarment and/or warm water temperature could

cause hyperthermia. Only specialized training will give you the knowledge required to make the best choice

of equipment.

Fitting: Reference the appropriate size chart for your suit to assist with selecting the correct size for your

body. It is important that you try on the suit in a specialized dive shop offering you the advice of qualified

and experienced staff. If you choose a suit that is too tight you may experience squeeze problems during

the descent. If the suit is too big for your size you may experience problems of over-expansion that could

cause an uncontrolled ascent. Neck and wrist seals need to be adapted to the size of the diver.

Allergic Reaction: Some individuals may be allergic to contact with materials in this suit such as latex or

neoprene. If you suffer from allergies, consult a doctor before using the suit.

User Guidance & Warnings

Limited Warranty

Donning a Back Entry Drysuit

(zipper across shoulders)

1 Adjust suspenders for a snug yet comfortable fit. The suspenders should hold the suit up in the crotch

but not so tight to restrict bending over.

2 Push hands through the latex wrist seals, using your free hand to expand the wrist opening. Use thumb

loops on undergarment to hold garment in place, eliminating bunching.

3 Tuck undergarment thumb loops back under seal after your hand has been

pushed through.

4 Using both hands, stretch the neck seal over your head.

5 Have your dive buddy carefully zip you up.

6 When opening or closing the zipper avoid catching undergarment material in the dry zip per teeth. If

zipper slider becomes jammed, do not continue pulling. Back zipper up and clear debris or clothing. Do

not force your zipper.

* Use talcum powder on seals as a lubricant to assist in sliding into seals.

When removing a back-entry drysuit, follow the same steps as above in reverse.

Warning: Avoid sharp objects (rings, earrings, ﬁngernails) when donning suits.

To keep the suit clean, rinse the external part of the diving suit with clean water (especially after diving

in salty water). This will remove the salt and mud from the fasteners and will limit the formation of mould,

as well as the development of bacteria. Rinse with a strong stream of running water. After rinsing, dry the

diving suit. Drying the diving suit is necessary in such circumstances, where the diving suit has been

flooded with water. First completely dry the inside of the diving suit followed by the same procedure with

the outside. When drying, the diving suit should be hung on a wide hanger with the fasteners unzipped

and all other parts of the suit hanging freely. Avoid drying in the sun, near chemical substances or open

fire, as well as heaters, electric engines or other devices that produce ozone. The effect of these can

cause color – fading and damage elements of the diving suit. After drying examine the diving suit carefully

for any damage.

Donning a Back Entry Drysuit (zipper across shoulders)

Post Dive Procedures, Cleaning & Decontamination

General: The materials used in the construction of your suit allow for easy general cleaning & decon-

tamination. Care was taken in choosing materials that not only protect you in the environment in which

you are diving but also allow for straightforward post-dive clean up. All suits should be cleaned/rinsed

with fresh water after use and after decontamination.

Contaminated Water Diving (CWD):

1 HazMat, Enviro & Enviro Hybid suits should always be decontaminated after each CWD use.

2 The very smooth surface of these suits allows for many products to be used for decontamination and

does not require special systems or application process to ensure the suit is clean.

3 There are many different types of contaminates and an appropriate decontamination solution should be

chosen for use.

4 Types of decontamination solutions vary in the effectiveness and application depending on the contami-

nation encountered.

5 The most common contamination encountered by divers is biological-based. Biological contaminants

are not damaging towards the suit material, unlike some chemicals, but can still pose a risk to the diver

and topside personnel.

6 Petroleum-based products (gas, oil, and other lubricants) are the second most common contamination

encountered during CWD today. These are mostly found in small concentrations floating on the surface

and get on the suit during entering and exiting the water.

Some of the more common solutions used for decontamination:

Simple Green™ is a good degreaser and is non-toxic and biodegradable according to the manufacturer.

Depending on the amount of petroleum based product on the suit it can be applied with a simple garden

sprayer in whatever concentration necessary to ensure complete decontamination.

Lestoil™ is a household cleaner/degreaser that is recommended for many household cleaning chores

including laundry. It can also be diluted to a concentration that is most effective for the level of contami-

nation.

Bleach solution has been used for many years to kill biological contaminates. Used in the correct con-

centrations it does an excellent job in killing biological contamination. The key here is “correct concentra-

tions” - too little and it is ineffective, too much and you will start to shorten the life of the drysuit. A 5-7%

concentration will effectively kill most biological contamination encountered in the marine environment

without adversely affecting the drysuit.

Failure to properly decontaminate your dry suit will increase the risk of health issues to both diver and

support personnel and can also reduce the useable life of the dry suit.

Note: The above list is not exhaustive and other suitable decontamination products may be available.

An assessment of the need for additional decontamination shall be made if the dry suit is to be reused

after it has been exposed to hazardous materials and initially decontaminated. A close visual inspection of

any diving equipment used in contaminated water is essential once the gear has been decontaminated.

During the inspection, the diver should look for any of the following:

• Brittleness of the material

• Color changes in the material

• Swollen material

All suits that are damaged beyond repair and cannot be made to pass all inspections and checks

described above, must be taken out of service and disposed of.

The proper method of disposal will depend on local regulations. In general the suit should be treated

as waste and as such the proper method of disposal is normally incineration or landfill. For suits that are

contaminated with chemicals, local regulations for the chemicals in question must be taken into account.

Post Dive Procedures, Cleaning & Decontamination

Disposal

1-2 You may want to fine-tune the fit of your seals. If your seals seem too tight, they can be trimmed to

create a comfortable fit. Using scissors, carefully trim off 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) at a time, checking the fit

each time. You do not have to wear your suit during this process, just slide wrist or your neck into the

seals to test the fit as you go along. The seals should be snug but not tight. You may want your dealer

to assist you in fitting your seals.

Warning: Neck seals that are too tight may restrict blood

ﬂow to the brain resulting in serious injury.

Polytex Neck & Wrist Seal Care

Polytex seals offer a superb seal, however they can be fragile. Avoid contact with petroleum based

products such as lotions, and petroleum based silicone lubricants, as they will accelerate the deteriora-

tion of Polytex seals.

For lubrication use talcum powder or cornstarch. Avoid sharp objects (rings, earrings, and fingernails)

as they may tear the seal. Extended exposure to sunlight will damage seals. Exposure to extreme cold will

stiffen seals, ensure seals are warmed to pliable condition before attempting to stretch them.

1 2

Fitting Polytex Seals

Exhaust Valve

1 Your drysuit is equipped with an adjustable high-

flow auto-exhaust valve allowing the highest

degree of hands-off buoyancy control.

2 The HazMat suit is fitted with a double diaphragm

Contaminated Water Exhaust Valve (red cover).

The Enviro and ProCom suits are fitted with a

standard single diaphragm exhaust valve (black

cover).

3 Rotate faceplate clockwise for decreased venting and counter-clockwise for increased venting.

4 Pushing down on the faceplate will allow manual air release.

5 Check that your exhaust valve body is screwed hand-tight into the suit before each dive.

6 Check the exhaust valve faceplate setting before each dive.

If your valve is not working correctly abandon your dive and have the valve inspected by an authorized

technician.

7 Contaminated Water Exhaust Valve: This valve (red cover, fitted to the HazMat suit) is specially designed

to reduce the chance of water entering the suit during your dive. This valve uses a double diaphragm (or

check valve) system that exhausts at a slower rate than a standard exhaust valve. You should always

practice your buoyancy and ascent rate with this valve in order to become familiar with its function.

8 If you ever remove both your inflator and exhaust valves from your HazMat suit pay close attention upon

re-installation that you install the red back nut with the red exhaust valve as the second check valve is

located in the interior back nut. It is important not to swap this with the inflator back nut as it will not allow

air to enter the suit through the inflator valve.

1 Screw the low pressure inflate hose into

the low-pressure port on your first stage.

Do not use a high- pressure port!

2 Slide hose connector back to lock hose into

place over inflate valve nipple.

3 Pushing the button center on the inflate

valve will add air to your suit.

4 Available as an option is a Contaminated

Water Inflate Valve (red cover for identification) with slider/shut-off valve.

This allows the user to shut off the air in case the inflator button sticks open

without disconnecting the hose.

Important: Check that your inﬂate valve body is screwed hand-tight

into the suit before each dive. If your valve is not working correctly

abandon your dive and have the valve inspected by your dealer.

Inflator Valve & Low Pressure Hose

Keep your zipper free of sand and debris by spraying with clean fresh water after

every use. Store suit with zipper in the open position. Stubborn debris lodged in the

zipper can be removed with a soft toothbrush and mild hand or dish soap.

When opening or closing a zipper, avoid catching undergarment material in the dry

zipper teeth. If zipper slider becomes jammed, do not continue pulling. Back zipper up

and clear debris or clothing. Do not force your zipper.

Keep your zipper lubricated, paraffin wax is ideal. Do not use oil-based lubricants

or silicone spray as they can damage the zipper material. Lubricate metallic zipper

teeth after each dive and plastic zipper teeth every 4-5 dives. Be sure when storing

your suit not to fold the zipper back on itself (see "Folding" above). For prolonged storage, it is best to

Drysuit Zipper Care

1 Back-entry suit: with the zipper open, roll the suit

starting at the boots working forward toward the

neck seal.

2 Legs and torso rolled up.

3 Loosely fold the arms together over the body of the

suit. Do not stuff your suit in a bag that is too small,

as the zipper may get bent.

4 Self-entry suit: same as above, except fold suit with

back facing upwards.

The emphasis is on keeping the zipper from bend-

ing or kinking. For prolonged storage, it is best to

hang your suit boots up, with the zipper in the open

position. Hang in a cool dry place, out of direct sun-

light and away from electric motors or fumes (i.e.:

chlorine, diesel or gas).

Folding Suit for Storage

hang your suit from the legs, with the zipper in the open position. Hang it in a cool, dry place, out of direct

sunlight. For transport, do not stuff your suit in a bag that is too small.

Important: After prolonged storage check the seals for cracking or loss of stretch. Natural rubber com-

ponents generally have a lifetime of 5 years before needing replacement.

We suggest having

your authorized dealer

maintain your drysuit

valves

1-4 Insert the male part of the valve into the suit

valve hole.

5 Screw the valve backing plate into position.

The valves must be screwed in hand-tight.

A valve tool, can assist in tightening the valve.

21 3

4 5

Drysuit Zipper Care

Installing Inflator & Exhaust Valves

The HazMat, Enviro and ProCom suits are

some of the easiest drysuits to repair on the

market. Our dry adhesive system makes patch-

ing the suit very simple with only a few tools

needed. The first task is finding the hole(s).

1 What you need: mild soap, pop cans, water

container or spray bottle, tank, regulator,

twine, and chalk.

2 If your suit has the dry glove ring system on

it just snap a pair of dry gloves over the rings

and use either a pair of Glove Retention Rings

or twine to hold the gloves on. If your suit does

not have the rings, place a can in the wrist

opening and tie with twine.

3 Gather neck seal and tie snug with twine.

Rotate exhaust valve faceplate to closed

position.

4 Insert inflate hose into inflate valve and

inflate suit fully.

5 Pour soapy water or spray with soapy water

over the suspected leak area. Mark areas

where bubbles appear with chalk.

Finding a Leak

Repairing a Hole

Now that you have marked the leak with chalk

you can proceed to repair the hole.

1 What you need: dry adhesive patch (available from

your dealer), acetone, clean rag, hot air source (a

heat gun), a pair of scissors and a hand roller.

2 Cut patch to desired size and shape. Round off any

points.

3 Clean the area of the hole with acetone. Clean the

dry adhesive on the patch with acetone. Repeat

for both areas using liberal amounts of acetone

each time.

4 Promptly apply patch over hole and press firmly.

5 Using a hot air source, apply heat to patch. Use

extreme caution! Keep moving the heat around

and do not focus it at any one point for an

extended period of time (most heat guns need

to be held at least 5" to 6" away). Roll patch with

hand roller. Press patch firmly.

Caution: Patch may be extremely hot!

6 Let patch cool for 15 minutes and inspect bond.

Adhesive film should be bonded to both surfaces.

If bond is not secure, repeat heat process and

inspect bond again.

1 2

Changing Polytex Neck Seal and/or Hood

4 5

7 8

9 10

If your suit is equipped with the Wrist Rings for dry gloves and the SLT (Seal Lock Technology) neck

system then this is the easiest repair. A complete video is available on our website on how to change seals

on both systems. As it is very possible you will be doing this in the field (without access to a computer) we

suggest you review the video and practice it a head of time so you will feel comfortable doing it in the field.

If your suit does not have either of the quick change systems we suggest you have your seals replaced

by an authorized dealer. A complete list can be obtained on our website.

Replacing Wrist Seals, Neck Seal, & Hood

Aqua Lung Canada Ltd

6820 Kirkpatrick Crescent

Saanichton, British Columbia

V8M 1Z9 Canada

t: 250.652.8554 f: 250.652.8553

www.aqualung.com/militaryandprofessional

Version 8/2014

Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro Owner's manual

Brand: Aqua Lung

Model: Hazmat / Enviro

Type: Owner's manual

Each drysuit is individually inspected and tank tested before it leaves the factory. Aqua Lung recommends that you have your suit professionally serviced annually.

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Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro Owner's manual

Aqua Lung Hazmat / Enviro Owner's manual

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