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For a complete explanation of the FRV :REVIEW THE THE COMPLETE FRV MANUAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE FREEDIVERS RECOVERY VEST (FRV) How do I set the time and depth limits? How do I set the time and depth limits? Users set the time and depth they want to have the vest activate by using the computer/console divers can change these trigger settings on the surface and as often as they like. They may not make changes while diving. For example, a freediver who knows his longest dives should not exceed 2 minutes might set his time setting to 2 minutes and 10 seconds. At 2 minutes the computer/console flashes and the red LED is lit. At 2 minutes 10 seconds, the vest deploys. Similarly, if the freediver never wants to be deeper than 80 feet, he would set his computer/console to 80 feet. Should his dive exceed 80 feet, the vest will inflate. What does the arm computer/console show me during my freedive? It will show the progress of the dive—elapsed time and current depth and temperature in large easy to see characters.(link to a picture) Your maximum time and depth settings (trigger depth and time) are also visible. The time counts up as the dive progresses. If your dive extends to within 10 seconds of your maximum time setting, the display will start counting down from 10 to 0 at which time the vest will inflate. In the graph mode, typical dive statistics are displayed plus the prceeding suface interval. What does the computer/console show me at the surface? With Surface Minder On, it will indicate that the freediver has successfully disarmed the vest. It will also show you your maximum time and depth settings as well as the water temperature. Your surface interval will start counting up from the time you surface and disarm the vest until your next dive. You can also toggle surface-interval time and time-of-day. Through the menu, the user may see a graphical representation of his last 4,000 dives and a summary of times at various depths during the last 24-hour period. With real-time communication with the inflation unit, the display will show the charges of both the inflation cylinder and the lithium ion battery packs and temperature. (link to a picture) Besides surface times and progress values, what else does the wrist display show? A menu allows you to change your time and depth maximums. You can set the date and time as well as the temperature scale (C or F) and the depth scale (m or ft). The computer/console will display failure messages when a component is malfunctioning. It will flash a message and light a LED when the diver attempts to make a maximum depth trigger deeper than the amount of air in the inflation cylinder will support. It will message the user to increase pressure or decrease their trigger depth and it will display the amount of lift available at that depth. What is in the back-mounted inflation unit? The inflation unit contains the compressed air cylinder, two redundant inflation valves, depth and pressure sensors, battery, on/off handle and the CPU unit, which controls vest firing, monitors the "health" of many critical components, and controls critical events such as vest firing and battery life remaining.. How do I fill the air cylinder? You fill the air cylinder through a high-pressure filling port on the side of the unit. While dive shops should be able to fill these units with a Spare Air adapter, most divers will probably fill it from a 3,000 psi scuba tank. A scuba tank adapter (included with the FRV) screws onto the tank and into the inflation unit. The diver SLOWLY opens the filling valve and proceeds until the computer/console indicates the maximum charge (takes 2 minutes for 3,000 psi charge to transfer.) You can review the progress by viewing the external pressure pin indicator, or by observing the computer/console display. Can I over-fill the air cylinder? The inflation unit is equipped with an over-pressure burst disk that will rupture if the filling pressue exceeds 3,300 psi. This renders the unit inoperable and it will have to be serviced to replace the over-pressure burst disk. What happens if I under-fill the air cylinder? The electronics and high-pressure sensor constantly poll the amount of compressed air available for inflation. If the fill is less than 3,000 psi, the maximum inflation depth of 150 feet may not be achieved. The computer will calculate the amount of compressed air and compare this to the user's setting. In there is not enough pressure to supply adequate inflation (minimum 1,500 psi), the FRV warns the user that his maximum depth is not possible by blinking the display and the red LED, which essentially makes the computer/console unusable. If there is sufficient air in the cylinder, the diver may set the maximum depth accordingly What happens if I reach the surface in time and I forget to disarm the vest? In Surface Minder ON mode, the freediver's recovery vest is programmed to assume that after a dive, when you reach the surface, you may become unconcious. Therefore, after every dive in this mode, you must disarm the vest by swiping your computer/console by a set of magnets in your vest or by pressing a button.The computer/console Green LED will turn off when the unit is disarmed. Initially, we expect that some users will forget to "swipe the vest" and find the vest inflating. In Surface Minder OFF mode, the user does not have to disarm the vest except in the case of a Premature Dive. Can I inflate the vest voluntarily? Yes, you can command the vest to inflate. Underwater, you must use a 3-button sequence on the computer/console. On the surface, you use the test valve menu item to inflate the vest or you may simply orally inflate the vest through a tube hidden under the left lapel. What batteries does the Freediver's Recovery Vest require? Can I change them myself? The inflation unit uses built-in Lithium-Ion batteries that may be charged through a port in the cap. The computer/console takes its power from this battery as well. They may not be changed by the user. Can I download my dive history? Yes, the inflation unit will retain in excess of 4,000 freedives. It will provide data points for the elapsed time every second as well as the depth. Users will be able to view a graphical representation of each dive. The computer will also log other important events such as vest deactivation and inflation. Will I be able to take my vest on an airplane? Yes, Federal regulations specify that the air cylinder will have to be empty and removed from the inflation unit and transported in the baggage compartment. The in-tank valve may be easily removed for transport and storage. If you choose to carry on your FRV, it is best to take it out of your carry on bag and send it through the scanner separately. We feel that in any electrical/mechanical system, there is the chance for malfunction and/or failure. Therefore, we have duplicated the high-pressure valves, their electronic actuators and the high pressure sensors. The theory is if one actuator component fails, the other valve will still operate. Of course, no electrical /mechanical device is 100% reliable. You should not depend on the FRV as your primary backup while diving. What are some of the standard warnings for this product?
How much does the vest weigh on land? In the water? The vest weighs just short of 9 pounds in the air. In the water it is neutral. What is the recommended service interval? We recommend that you
return your FRV yearly for inspection. Every 5 years, the FRV must be returned for
overhaul. Is the vest comfortable, does it add drag underwater? The FRV is remarkably
comfortable to wear. Some users initially report feeling the activation unit pressed
against their back. (An optional back pad comes standard with your FRV.) However, most
users adjust quickly and report that after a short get-acquainted period, the FRV
virtually disappears. Early tests from deep divers report no significant additional drag
or the tendency to rotate or pull the divers off course. If I don’t have a scuba tank available, can I use a spare inflation cylinder?
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Copyright 2011 Oceanic Safety Systems LLC |
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US Patent 7988511 and ZA Patent 2008/03209 |
