User manual

Poseidon MKVI User Manual
Chapter 1
Page 32
Next, remove the black top-of-cartridge interface cap (Figure 1-51), and clean, disinfect, dry,
and stow that component. Note that this cap is tted with two o-rings – a top-mounted axial
o-ring that seals to the interior top of the cartridge housing, and a radial o-ring that seals to the
top receiver pocket on top of the CO
2
absorbent cartridge. Replace these o-rings if cuts or
gouges are present.
Remove the pre-packed absorbent cartridge (Figure 1-52) from the base plate and properly
dispose of the cartridge. Replacements (discussed below in detail) are the pre-packed Sofno-
dive
®
797 manufactured by Molecular Products and available through Poseidon authorized
dive centers and dealers.
With the cartridge removed, inspect the cartridge housing end plate (Figure 1-53) for scratches
and gouges to any of the o-rings or o-ring sealing surfaces. Replace o-rings if required and
re-lubricate. Lift up and remove (Figure 1-53) the bottom annular sponge water trap. This
sponge should be relatively dry when diving in relatively warm water, but may be damp or
soaked when diving in cold water. Improper use of the rebreather may also allow water to enter
the breathing loop, and possibly reach the cartridge housing. While the water diversion mani-
folds will trap most of the water, acrobatic swimming (rolls, ipping from head down to head up
orientation etc) can defeat the system if the user is not paying attention, causing water to reach
the sponge.
It is good practice to rinse, disinfect, and dry the lower absorbent sponge following a dive. Any
disinfectant solution that doesn’t have a negative effect on plastics and/or rubber can be used
for this purpose. Poseidon recommends using a disinfectant called Gigasept™ or a disinfec-
tant called Virkon.
Figure 1-54.
Unpacking a fresh SofnoDive 797 CO
2
absorbent cartridge.
Opening the sealed SofnoDive 797
air-tight shipping envelope
DANGER: Dangerous levels of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) can cause
symptoms that include, but are not limited to, rapid breathing,
severe headache, tunnel vision and disorientation. High CO
2
levels
can also increase the potential for oxygen toxicity. Diving a closed-
circuit rebreather with an expended CO
2
absorbent cartridge
could lead to serious injury or death.When in doubt, switch the
mouthpiece to open-circuit mode and end the dive immediately.
At this point it is time to load a fresh SofnoDive
®
797 CO
2
absorbent cartridge. Cartridges are
available two to a pack (Figure 1-54) and are sealed in an air tight envelope for long term
storage. As previously described, each new cartridge is good for at least 3 hours of diving
(some users may obtain greater range depending on metabolic oxygen consumption rates).
Once you open the air tight shipping envelope the SofnoDive
®
797 cartridge is activated.