FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Does The Operator/User Course Involve?

The Operator/User Course was developed to teach commercial diving personnel standardized pre and post dive inspection, set-up and operation procedures for the KMDSI Helmets and Band Masks. The Operator/User course is considered the minimum training for users of KMDSI helmets and masks can be taught by any current KMDSI Helmet and Band Mask Technician.  This course “Is Not A Maintenance & Repair Technician Course”.

The Operator/User Course instructs commercial divers, tenders and supervisors how to perform standardized, routine, daily pre-dive/post-dive procedures, as well as corrective adjustments. It teaches how to identify equipment deficiencies which could hamper helmet or band mask performance and/or pose a potential hazard. The course teaches the KMDSI monthly and daily helmet and band mask pre/post dive maintenance, set-up, adjustment and inspection procedures for Kirby Morgan helmets, band masks and associated equipment.

Depending on the experience level and or the number of persons being instructed, the course generally requires about 5-8 hours of instruction. Upon completion, each student will receive a four year certification.  The course does not qualify or certify the individual to perform repairs, overhauls, or do face port insert testing.    The Operator/User is considered the minimum level of technical training for anyone using the helmet or performing duties as a tender/supervisor when KMDSI helmets and masks are being used.

What Does The Technician Course Involve?

The three day course instructs divers, tenders, and diving personnel how to perform routine repair and maintenance of all KMDSI Helmets, Band Masks, and other specific associated equipment.  The course also teaches Helmet and BandMask^® inspections, adjustments, overhauls and face port insert testing.  In addition, trainees learn about the KMDSI set-up and maintenance check lists and Operations & Maintenance Manuals.  The basic technician course does not include instruction in fiberglass and gel coat repair, but does teach insert testing.

The course when taught at Dive Lab also goes into calculating basic air consumption, supply pressures, how to clean, pressure test and flow test umbilical. Upon completion, each student will receive a three year certification valid for the individual’s own equipment and/or the company for which the individual works, and of January 01, 2020 returning students may receive a four year certificate, but only if previous Technician Certificate has not expired.

Once certified as a KMDSI Helmet and Band Mask Technician, the technician can teach the KMDSI Operator/User Course using the curriculum guidelines set-up by KMDSI and Dive Lab Inc. Course certification is given at Dive Lab, Inc.  The main purpose for this course is to promote diver safety through knowledge and training within the commercial diving industry. We feel this is best accomplished using persons trained within the industry. The Operator/User training raises the level of awareness for the proper use and maintenance of KMDSI Helmets, BandMasks® and associated equipment. It will also help safety in other areas as well.

Who is allowed to work on KMDSI Helmets and Band Masks?

As stated in all KMDSI operations manuals, the owner of the equipment can perform all maintenance and repairs. KMDSI strongly recommends all users receive training from a recognized KMDSI training facility, however if users feel they have the knowledge, experience and technical ability to make repairs and perform maintenance they can download all manuals and checklist from the KMDSI web site free of charge. According to OSHA regulations, the diving company (contractor/employer) is required to ensure all man worn equipment is being properly maintained and that the maintenance and inspections are being performed as recommended by the manufacturer of the equipment. OSHA makes little differentiation between privately owned helmets/equipment and company owned helmets and equipment and places the responsibility for the condition and use of diving equipment on the employer/contractor.

In short, this means the diving contractor could be held liable for knowingly allowing improperly maintained or inspected equipment to be used that resulted in injury regardless of who actually owns the equipment. For this reason it is important that the diving contractors have a good maintenance program and the documentation to go with it.

In accordance with ADCI Consensus Standards;
Helmets and masks and their associated diver-carried regulators are components of a critical life support system that, if not functioning properly, can expose the diver to significant hazard. As such, all helmets and masks and their associated diver-carried regulators shall be maintained and inspected in strict compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Suitable logs shall be maintained to reflect compliance. The owner of helmets, masks, and their associated diver-carried regulators shall be responsible to ensure that these life support critical elements are functioning properly prior to the commencement of each and every dive.

All helmets and masks shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, and have all modifications which affect safety or performance documented in the equipment log.

Is It A Requirement That The Owner Of The Helmet Or Mask Be Factory Trained/Certified To Perform Repairs?

No, although KMDSI recommends all life support equipment should only be used, set up, maintained and worked on by properly trained persons.

Due to liability concerns, many companies and agencies that are hiring diving contractors, require that the contractor provide proof that the diver worn equipment is being maintained and serviced by trained qualified persons. This is especially true with most U.S. government contracts, even though there are no federal regulations that specifically mandate training qualifications or certification for persons performing maintenance, repairs, and operational set up procedures.

KMDSI strongly recommends that diving contractors protect their employees and themselves by ensuring that persons performing maintenance and repairs have the proper recommended training in accordance with the applicable helmet or mask operations and maintenance manual, checklists and procedures as recommended by KMDSI.

All the KMDSI operations and maintenance manuals as well as the operations and maintenance checklists can be downloaded at www.kirbymorgan.com.
Technical advice and information can be obtained from KMDSI and Dive Lab Inc.

Should the owner/user of the Helmet/Mask perform their own daily/monthly inspections?

All users of KMDSI should and must know how to perform the daily and monthly maintenance in order to safely use the equipment. All KMDSI helmet and BandMask^® have pre and post dive checklists. Check lists are a requirement in many countries throughout the world in order to meet occupational safety and health requirements. The check lists have been expanded to further educate users and raise the level of knowledge thereby improving diver safety. The checklist A2.1 (overhaul inspection procedure) should be performed anytime the daily or monthly inspection reveals signs of damage, deterioration of components or whenever the equipment has been exposed to extreme environments, harsh/caustic/contaminated waters. It is strongly recommended that persons performing the A2.1 complete the basic helmet and band mask technician training course by a certified KMDSI technician training facility.

How often should the Appendix A2.1 (Overhaul Inspection) be performed?

KMDSI recommends the A2.1 be performed at least every 12 months, or whenever daily and monthly checks reveal the need. Ultimately each maintainer must make the determination of how often by using his/her knowledge, training and experience. (Equipment used in relatively clean waters may only require the A2.1 inspection once a year. Helmets used in contaminated waters, i.e. sewage and oily waters could require the A2.1 several times a year. The A2.2 (monthly) should be performed by the user at least once a month or anytime daily inspections indicate possible damage, deterioration, or components do not operate properly. The monthly can also be used at anytime to demonstrate the equipment’s suitability for use. The monthly can also be used by KMDSI dealers in conjunction with the log book and receipts, as a means of a third party inspection for verifying that the A2.1 was completed within the past 12 months by others.

What Is Involved In The A2.1 Inspection?

The helmet and mask is completely disassembled as called out in A2.1 checklist procedure.  Basically the checklist has you disassembling the entire helmet, so all components can be cleaned and inspected. A 14 inch lb. pull test is performed on the face port retainer inserts and the side-block and demand regulator components are disassembled, cleaned, and inspected and all O-rings and exhaust valves are replaced with new ones. The A2.1 also calls out for a few other items such as inlet valve soft seat and diaphragm replacement. Any other components showing signs of wear, deterioration, damage or non-conformance that may affect safety, reliability or performance, as described in the applicable manual, should be repaired or replaced.

In short, this means if the inspection reveals worn or damaged components, they should be replaced to ensure proper performance.

KMDSI strongly encourages all users of KMDSI helmets or BandMasks^® to attend a one-day Operator/User course, which teaches the daily and monthly checklist procedures. KMDSI strongly encourages and recommends users performing the A2.1 overhaul / inspection receive certified KMDSI technician training.

All owners/users of KMDSI helmets or masks should maintain a log for each helmet or mask as well as associated equipment such as the EGS and harness assembly that shows clearly a record of use and the repairs and maintenance done as well as who performed the maintenance. KMDSI strongly recommends marinating a file containing the overhaul A2.1 and Monthly A2.2 checklists.

My Local KMDSI Dealer Changed Parts That Were Not Worn Out

KMDSI service dealers should give a written estimate to customers before performing repairs. Dealers are required to replace all soft goods when conducting annual overhauls unless the customer has done this already and can provide maintenance log book. Dealers are not allowed to do overhauls or work that does not leave the helmet or mask fully operational. The dealer must also have a log book with each helmet so that the work can be documented. KMDSI Dealers have the right to turn away customers if they feel the log book has been falsified. The use of aftermarket parts and components is not authorized by KMDSI. KMDSI dealers must only sell and install KMDSI approved parts and components for KMDSI products. KMDSI will not accept the liability for aftermarket parts or non-approved modifications. Owners and users of KMDSI products that use aftermarket parts and components do so against the recommendation of KMDSI and at their own risk. The use of aftermarket parts and components could result in serious injury or death.

Can A Person / User Of KMDSI Helmets And Masks Use TheKMDSI Checklists If They Have Not Taken KMDSI Technician Or Operator/User Training?

Absolutely! The KMDSI Helmet and Band Mask checklists are intended for all users of KMDSI Helmets or Band Masks regardless of whether they have attended Technician or Operator/User Training. All KMDSI Helmets and Band Masks should be used, maintained, and serviced in accordance with the applicable Operations and Maintenance Manual along with the appropriate Checklists.  KMDSI cannot, force or mandate maintenance policy to owners of KMDSI equipment, they can only recommend.

Can Individual Free Lance Divers / Users Of KMDSI Equipment Attend KMDSI Technician Training?

Yes! KMDSI technician training course is open to all users of KMDSI equipment. For further information contact KMDSI at www.kirbymorgan.com Tel: 805-928-7772 or Dive Lab Inc,
Tel: 850-235-2715.

If I Take The KMDSI Technician Course Can I Work On Other Peoples Equipment For Profit?

NO! Non-dealer technician can work on their own equipment, the companies, and other divers equipment within the company as per company policy.  Free-lancing as technician for profit is not allowed!.  Only KMDSI Dealer Technicians are authorized by KMDSI  to perform repairs for profit.  KMDSI Dealers are bound legally by dealer agreement to perform work on KMDSI products strictly IAW the requirements set forth by KMDSI. Dealers performing repairs and maintenance must only use genuine Kirby Morgan parts and must perform all work IAW dealer technician requirements. Non dealer technicians are not under the control or bound legally with a contract or agreement with KMDSI. KMDSI cannot mandate what non dealers do. Non dealer technicians must limit repairs to their own equipment, company owned equipment, and equipment belonging to company/affiliate companies and employees as dictated by company policy. Non-dealer technicians that perform repairs for profit do without the permission or support of KMDSI and Dive Lab and could pose a serious safety threat to the diving industry if they pose as a certified dealer repair center.  Customer beware! Ensure the technicians performing the service are trained and authorized. All the KMDSI dealers are listed on the KMDSI web page, as well as  their qualifications and what equipment they are trained and authorized to service.

Do All The Diving Schools Teach The KMDSI Operator User Training?

Not all, but many of the major commercial diving schools in the United States as well as Canada and overseas have integrated the Operator/User Course into their curriculum. This makes the graduating divers better prepared for the real world. Any school that is “using and teaching” KMDSI equipment, but not teaching the Operator User Course to its students, is not teaching the equipment IAW the recommendations of the manufacture (KMDSI) and these schools should re-evaluate their curriculum.

Where Can I Get More Information On Training?

Click on training. Further information can be obtained by calling Dive Lab at 850-235-2715. Ask for Paula Ward.

Dive Safe

Mike Ward