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Frequently
Asked Questions About Surface Supplied Air. (SSA)
Click here
for Hookah
Training
What does the word, "hookah" mean and why is it used?
1. Q.
What exactly is the concept of
SSA?
A. Air from a low-pressure compressor at the
surface pumps air through a hose and demand second stage regulator system
directly to the divers below. Virtually no gear is worn and the divers
have a lifeline to the surface with the hose system and a belt or harness that secures the hose and regulator to the body.
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2. Q. How long will the engines
run?
A. Running time on the XL gas-powered models will
be three hours on 2-1/2 qts gas. On the R-3 models: 1-3/4 hrs on 1.3 qts,
regardless of the number of participants on either.
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3. Q. Do the motors require an oil
gas mix?
A. No. They are four-cycle engines and take
unleaded gas with a pump octane rating of 86 or above.
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4. Q. Are the compressors oil
lubricated?
A. No. A Teflon cup on an aluminum piston
pulsates inside the cylinder sleeve precluding the need for even rings and
seals. Bearings are sealed and grease cannot enter the breathing system.
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5. Q. What keeps exhaust fumes out
of the breathing air?
A. Lawyers and the fear thereof. Mechanically,
however, a vertical snorkel draws air in 30 inches above the compressor.
Exhaust is shot away horizontally on the opposite side. The way the unit
floats, the exhaust will always seek the down wind position. Systems are
approved for breathing according to Compressed Gas Association standards.
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6. Q. What depths can I reasonably
expect on an Air Line?
The XL models will support two to a depth of 85',
three to 60 feet, four to 40. The R-3 models will support two to 70
feet, three to 40. The systems are primarily designed for second
atmosphere, recreational diving. (Be wary of claims. The claims of single
down hose systems generally apply to professional divers----in an
aquarium----skip breathing) Top
7. Q. What length are the hoses?
A. They are all arbitrarily 60 feet to encourage
diving within no-decompression limits. We will, however, customize lengths
for certain applications such as deck mounting. It is important to
understand that each diver has an independent 60 foot down line on an Air
Line instead of a single down line. You will get more air through two,
three or four hoses than you will through one; Common-Sense 101. There are
safety factors involved also. We can discuss these through e-mail or a
telephone call.
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8. Q. Won't a salty environment
cause the equipment to rust?
A. It would without a few simple care procedures.
The gas-powered compressors are marinized and require no pre-dive
procedures. The engines need a bit more attention. When new, thoroughly
coat with a marine protectant, such as, Boeshield T-9. After the dive day,
a fresh water bath will rinse away accumulated salt, followed by a light
touch-up of the protectant. Top
9. Q. Is training needed?
A. Yes. Knowledge of the pertinent laws of
physics is essential. Although easier to use as no gear is worn, you are
still subject to the same physical laws. BCDs are not discouraged but they
are not as critical, as the weight of air in a Scuba cylinder is not being
consumed. Snorkel vests are an option but remember, you are connected to
the surface float through the hose system.
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10. Q. If the engine runs out of
gas, what happens?
A. You are encouraged to come up. Silliness
aside, the hoses are under pressure and supply a reservoir of air for
safe, unstressed ascent. You will be aware when the engine stops as each
succeeding breath will require slightly more effort. As you may know, the
air in the hoses will naturally increase in volume as you rise. The
soundest recommendation is for the participants, or at least the dive
leader, to carry an independent, back-up air supply such as a Spare Air.
(See the Accessories
section)
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11. Q. Are the floating models
stable when the sea gets choppy?
A. Yes, but three or four footers are the
suggested maximum. when you feel a surge on the hose you will know it's
time to call it a day, or at least, go to the surface to evaluate the
situation. Top
12. Q. Do the floats tow easily?
A. Yes. The divers being free of gear experience
the freedom of snorkelers. Otherwise, the hoses being under pressure will
arch gracefully down so the floats are not being pulled awkwardly. The
task of towing is shared by at least two anyway. They should never be
towed behind a boat except at slow idle. They will sink (no relation).
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13.Q. How much separation can I expect on
the Air Line's individual 60 foot hoses against Brownie's Third
Lung's single down hose with individual 20 foot whips?
**The chart indicates what you can expect in separation
and freedom, at depth, by using individual hoses. For instance: At 2nd
atmosphere (33 feet) you would be able to explore up to 109 feet apart.
At any depth, on a BTL, your separation would always
be just 40 feet.
** Top
14. Q. What
is the advantage of the BTL single down hose?
It might look like
a cleaner configuration for pictures, but is that what you're buying it
for? (Excuse the answering a question with a question) (Also it's less
expensive to provide only one hose.)
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15. Q. What then, are the advantages to individual
hoses?
A.1. Simple, common
sense physics to start. You will get more breathable air delivered through
multiple hoses than through one.
A.2. The aforementioned separation (13.Q.), which
equates to freedom (See, also, next answer).
A.3. Imagine being at a depth of say 60 feet around
some coral, wreck or rock formations. With the floating, individual hoses
you can easily maneuver about unobstructed. On the one down hose at 60
feet, the 20 foot whips will be effectively horizontal, restricting
movement to follow-the-leader.
A.4. Let's talk SAFETY! At 60 feet on individual
hoses, if one diver needs to reach the surface for any reason, he/she can
calmly do so, hand-over-hand to the security of the float or boat. On the
single hose, the stressed diver can only ascend 40 feet, the total of the
two 20 foot whips. At that point he/she would have to jettison the towing
belt, with the regulator, and swim the remaining 20 feet to the surface.
A.5. More on SAFETY. In the event of equipment
failure, there will be a small reserve of air trapped in the hoses. On
individual hoses, each diver has an independent reservoir.
On the single down hose, all divers must share the
air from the one hose.
A.6. It costs us more to build so we have less profit
to pay taxes on. (Naw! Toss this one out) Top
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