| The APV200 Power Inflator |
The Auto Air (APV100) |
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BUDDY BCDs are unique.
Not only are they quality jackets offering superb buoyancy control and surface support, they are also the only jackets on the market specifically designed as a self-sufficient emergency breathing and buoyancy system
BUDDY BCDs offer a choice of emergency breathing valves – the APV200 or the Auto Air - and the option of a 0.4 litre emergency mini-cylinder |
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Auto Air |
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Originally invented in 1972 by David Parker, the Auto Air was years ahead of its time preceding all of the current crop of octo-inflators. It combines in one compact unit, the AP jacket breathing facility, a direct feed power inflator and an alternate air source octopus bail-out with superb, regulator-standard, breathing performance
The key feature of the current restyled Auto Air is that it is now a balanced valve with the advantage that it requires no adjustment or setup. It will automatically balance to the interstage pressure of whatever regulator it is fitted to |
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In an emergency the Auto Air is simplicity itself - just put it in your mouth and breathe!
Without having to press any buttons it will draw air from wherever it can, either from your main tank if there is air remaining (octopus mode) or from the bladder of the bcd itself (jacket breathing mode). It will switch between modes automatically (if for example, the air in your tank runs dry) and the difference can be noted by a change in the inhalation resistance. In this case the jacket breathing bailout procedure is exactly the same as for the APV200 outlined below
If the problem is that your demand valve has failed but you still have gas in your cylinder, the Auto Air will operate as a normal octopus DV – just breathe and let it manage the situation for you. The Auto Air is tested to 50m to the same EN250 standard as all primary demand valves, it is simple to maintain and unlike a conventional octopus setup it sits on your chest where it is easily located and ready to hand just when you need it in an emergency
“You can breathe from all emergency valves at normal depths, but the only one which can be assessed as a truly 100% emergency breathing valve is the A.P.Valves Auto Air… pure sunshine… inhalation resistance like a normal breathing regulator” Tauchen magazine - Emergency Valve Test Special
The A.P.Valve
Developed from the original A.P.Valve the APV200 has been ergonomically restyled and is a combined power inflator and an emergency jacket breathing valve
The concept of breathing from your bcd in an emergency has proved so simple and reliable it has withstood the test of time and is an option offered today with both restyled valves – the APV200 and the Auto Air. The inventor of the original valve, David Parker (BSAC Instructor No.177, Course 18), outlines the simple, life-saving procedure he first developed in 1969:
“Throughout the dive you will always have a potential air supply inside your jacket. If your regulator fails or you are out-of-air, the jacket breathing facility of the APV200 or Auto Air will give you another bail-out option by giving you access to this spare air” |
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1) Simply insert the mouthpiece in place of your failed regulator. A short sharp exhale will purge any small amount of water inside the valve and then breathing air can be drawn directly from the jacket. There will always be a few breaths available |
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2) This initial ability to breathe is key to preventing panic in the vital first few seconds of an out-of-air situation
Your buoyancy will not be affected until you exhale. Air inside the bladder is easily replenished by a brief on/off operation of the mini-cylinder
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3) With practice this bail-out procedure will become routine and you will be able to let air into the jacket in breath-sized bursts maintaining your buoyancy and your ability to breathe until you either reach your dive partner to share air or, if necessary, jacket breathe to the surface. As you ascend, the air in your jacket will expand and you will have to replenish less often |
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4) At the surface the A.P.Valve (or Auto Air) can also be used to orally inflate your jacket by pressing and holding in the dump button while you exhale into the bag
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Heritage
The original A.P.Valve was invented in 1969 by David Parker. Co-founder of the company Angela Parker explains how the system came about:
“When David and I began diving in the mid 1960s we soon realised there was a need for a much better, simple and effective emergency bail-out procedure than existed at the time
Being taught to rely on your dive partner was all well and good but experience soon told us that more often than not your buddy had their head down a hole looking at something fascinating at just the moment you needed their help!
Once the problem was posed, the solution became obvious – we needed to be self-sufficient, especially in those critical first few seconds of an out-of-air situation…
The A.P.Valve was born… supplying air instantly if your aqualung fails without having to think about which button to press… you just put it in your mouth and breathe
Having a simple system like this immediately calms a dangerous situation, helps to avoid panic and enables either a controlled ascent or time to reach your dive partner
Throughout my diving career, the knowledge that I have the option of an independent bailout system to hand at all times has allowed me to relax and really enjoy diving” |
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