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4.1
Your Instructor and Training Agency will detail how to calculate for sufficient bailout gas volumes.
COUNTERLUNG VOLUME
The volume of gas in the counterlungs will affect the ‘breathing feel’ of
the unit. Too little gas will make inhaling difficult and too much will make
exhaling difficult. All retreaters have optimal positions in the water where
they have a better or worse breathing feel due the hydrostatic effects of the
counterlung position and the breathable volume within the counter-lungs.
It is important to balance the volume in the breathing loop so that excessive inhale or exhale pressure is not experienced.
Under certain situations the EXPLORER will vent during the exhaled breath.
This will result in a drop in oxygen levels and more gas addition by the
system.
It is possible to balance the loop to an extent by venting a small amount
through your nose, particularly on ascents if the need arises.
ADJUSTING THE BREATHING ‘FEEL’
The breathing ‘feel’ of EXPLORER is partially controlled by the LCV. Having
removed the case cover this can be seen underneath the Canister. This
is an adjustable valve (over a small range). Oriented as shown, Moving
the valve to the left vents more easily and to the right it vents at a slightly
elevated pressure (Fig. 4.1).
The LCV is a hydrostatically balanced valve, this means that in any swim
position it releases gas from counterlungs at approximately the same pressure and rate. In addition it is a water drain device and it is connected to
the exhale counterlung via a water drain tube such that as water enters the
counterlung (condensed exhaled breath) then it moves through the tube
and out of the LCV regularly throughout the dive.
Fig. 4.1
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