Bell/Alarm for low air

[1stab]

I don't know if my chain is being pulled so I'm asking the experts. A fellow in my unit says he used to dive with an item that would sound a bell when he was low on air. He said it worked very well. While I imagine that a contraption like this can be fashioned, it doesn't seem likely to me.

Did this bell actually exist? If so, how did it work and what was it called?

[luis]

There have been several sonic low air alarms or “reserves”.

The most recent that I am aware of was the Scubapro Mk 7 regulator back in the 70’s. The sonic alarm was basically a device that vibrated at low tank pressure creating the noise.

I remember even seen a tank valve that had like a bell striker hanging in a curved bar inside the tank. At low air pressure the striker would hit the inside of the tank with what it looked like a plastic head of a hammer. I bet that would sound very much like a bell. I would like to know who made that valve. I saw it back in the early 70’s, but I sure it was already discontinued.

I believe there were a few other sonic alarms. I hope someone else can provide more information. I always thought that sonic alarms were an amusing contraption.

I remember spear fishermen didn't like them. They were concerned that it was going to go of as they were about to pull the trigger on the biggest shot of the day.

[captain]

I have a Healthways Scubair Sonic regulator that has an audible alarm. It makes a sound similar to the old playing card in a bicycle wheel. I believe both ScubaPro and USD had a version of the bell clapper in the tank valve. I have seen them for sale on Ebay from time to time. All scba's used by fire departments have a bell that rings when the tank is low. I think that one that was user adjustable to the alarm pressure would be useful in some situations.

[1969ivan1]

There is one on display on a cut away tank in the steamboat dive shoppe in Branford FL. I think it is a USD.

[luis]

I think that one that was user adjustable to the alarm pressure would be useful in some situations.

I bet Bryan's new air integrated computer can do that.

Heck... give it a couple of years and the newest air integrated computers will probably allow you to download different ring tones for different pressures.

[Bryan]

FOR A GOOD TIME.....Put a diver with a Mark VII or a beater valve in a group of guys spearfishing!!

Luis you are right......My Oceanic computer does beep and flash a little light when you are low on air. My Royal Spiro let me know it by increased breathing resistance just about the same time the wrist computer went off.

[1stab]

Yet another reason this is an awesome site. Thanks for all the responses.

I didn't even think about the bell on SCBA units like the Scott or the Draeger. Thanks Captain. I forgot about that. But I wouldn't limit their use to just plain ol' Firemen. In our age of Confined Spaces, Volatile Atmospheres, and even NBC environments, I would say "Emergency Personnel."

And so begins another hunt for goodies on Ebay.

[1stab]

I guess I have to change my signature to ... If you like to dive with bells...

[Creed]

I've seen one of those internal knocking valves. Very odd looking.

[21]

["1stab"]I don't know if my chain is being pulled so I'm asking the experts. A fellow in my unit says he used to dive with an item that would sound a bell when he was low on air. He said it worked very well. While I imagine that a contraption like this can be fashioned, it doesn't seem likely to me.

Did this bell actually exist? If so, how did it work and what was it called?]

_________________________________________________________

I think you are refering to the US Divers "Audio Reserve Valve" #0523 on page 8 in the 1963 Catalog, list price $39.95.

I do not know who in US Diver's was responsible for this failure. No one would fess up to being associated with it, however I was given two to use in my class by Tommy Thompson...........

The valve had a dual purpose fuction. It was first and foremost a reserve warning system and secondly an audio communications system.

It was always "on." To activate one needed only to pull down on the reserve pull rod and it was activated or when the tank pressure fell below 300 PSI it would activate on every breath.

It's bell tone was a nylon clapper that rested against the cylinder wall. When activated it would vibrate and beat against the cylnder wall, creating a ringing bell sound.

I had several which I used in my classes. I would take the class on a tour and when I needed their attenmtion or if a class member had wandered to far astray I would activate the valve to gain their attention.

There was concern that the repeated banging on the tank in one spot would or could have long term effects on the molecular structure of the cylinder wall so it was discontinued.

This US Diver's valve and the Heathways & later Scuba Pro regulator models grew out of the real concern at that time of diver preoccupation. It had been observed even at that early date that divers were becoming preoccupied and did not head warnings of low air supplies. US Divers Healthways, Scuba Pro and others thought that the audio system was the answer.

21

[1stab]

Thank you, Sir. As always, your responses are thorough and informative.

[Creed]

1stab,
Here's a picture of one.


It's item # 7241407459 on ebay(I'm not selling it or anything; I just noticed it, and jogged my memory of this thread)

[1stab]

Hey Creed, thanks for the pic. That's pretty cool.

[Bronze06]

Hey Folks,
I don't know squat about the Healthways/Scubapro Scubair line other than what I've seen on the Scubapro website timeline. That being said, maybe one of you folks can key me in on where I can find a service kit and new diaphragm for a Healthways,Scubapro Scubair J I found over here in Saudi Arabia. Nice chrome. I want it to be my octopus for my DAAM if I can get it up and running. Getting back to the original subject I dive a mid-80s mark 7 "Honker" that I rebuilt about a month ago and it definitely "Honks" not rings at about 400psi. It is the 3000 psi late model upgrade and weighs about as much as a DAAM fully dressed out. Sort of fun. AS A last side-bar I don't know squat about Conshelfs/Calypsos and I have acquired over here a Calypso J second stage. What is the correct service kit and diaphragm for it, it interchangeable with the Connie 6?
Sorry about all the above questions, but if anyone would know this stuff it is you guys.

Thanks Much, Russ

[Herman]

The Healthways unfortunately used an oddball diaphragm size and so far I have been unable to find a substitute. The later ones used a silicone diaphragm so IF you have one of those it might be OK to use, the early ones are a hard paper like material and are best used for a show piece. The exhaust vavles and LP seat are common ones but without a good diaphragm I would not bother with it as a diving reg.
The Calypso on the other hand uses the same main diaphragm and LP seat as any other USD second so it's easy to service. If the diaphragm and exhaust valves are good (soft) then all you really need is a LP seat to service it.