Atomic Aquatics BC1 User manual

OWNERS MANUAL

2| ATOMIC AQUATICS BC1 OWNERS MANUAL
Table of Contents
BC1 Key Design Features .................................................. 3
BC1 Features ...................................................................... 4
Warranty Registration ........................................................ 6
Precautions and Safety Information ................................... 7
Adding ballast ..................................................................... 8
High Performance Inflator Options ................................... 10
Setting up the inflator on the BC1 .................................... 11
Attaching the inflator to the corrugated hose of the BC1 .. 11
Attaching the low pressure hose with
quick disconnect to the regulator ..................................... 12
Ratcheting CAM-LOK tank band ...................................... 13
Placement of the band in the backpack .......................... 14
Attaching the BC1 to the tank. ......................................... 14
Tank buckle operation ...................................................... 15
EZ-LOK Integrated Weight Release System .................... 17
Loading the EZ-LOK weight pouches .............................. 18
Securing the weight pouches into the BC1 ...................... 19
Tips for using the EZ-LOK weight system ........................ 20
Non-releasable trim weight pockets ................................ 21
Maximum weight capacity ............................................... 22
Pre-Dive Inspection .......................................................... 23
Accessories ...................................................................... 24
10 D-Rings ....................................................................... 24
Accessory Pockets with Sand-Resistant Zippers ............ 25
Fitting the BC1 ................................................................. 26
Size and Lift Chart ............................................................ 26
Waistband adjustment ...................................................... 27
Lumbar adjustment .......................................................... 28
Donning and final adjustments ......................................... 28
Operation .......................................................................... 29
Inflation ............................................................................. 29
Deflation ........................................................................... 29
Post Dive Cleaning ........................................................... 32
General Care ................................................................... 33
Warranty ........................................................................... 34

Congratulations…
The New Atomic BC1 is for the diver who wants the absolute BEST World-Class BC available. As with every Atomic Aquatics
product, we design it with the intention of redefining the product category. Just as we did with regulators, fins, masks and
computers…we decided it was time to design the ultimate BC. We reexamined every detail of traditional BC design. We started
with the realization of the hard punishment the ocean inflicts on dive equipment. Our first priority for a BC was durability. The
Atomic BC1 was created using exclusive engineering grade plastics, polyurethane coated fabric, and corrosion-resistant
metals. It is designed for the roughest ocean environment.
BC1 Key Design Features
•The TOUGHEST BC in the world, created using exclusive engineering grade plastics, polyurethane coated fabric, and
corrosion resistant metals.
•Unique, attractive double-laminated/coated fabric actually sheds water
– a DRY BC.
•Patented EZ-LOK Weight Release System – undeniably the EASIEST
integrated weight system ever designed. Weight pouches lock in place
with a “snap” and release with a simple tug.
•Ratcheting CAM-LOK Tank Band – an all new Atomic design exclusive
that makes it incredibly easy to mount and secure the BC1 to your tank
with minimal effort.
•High performance Atomic Aquatics inflation and Safe Second options.
KEY DESIGN FEATURES |3

4| ATOMIC AQUATICS BC1 OWNERS MANUAL
1. Hose routing shoulder strap
2. Shoulder pad
3. Inflator elbow with
overpressure relief/
cable dump
4. Backpack handle
5. Backpack pad
6. CAM-LOK tank band
7. Titanium coated 316
Stainless Steel D-rings
8. Knife grommets
9. EZ-LOK weight pouches/
release handles
10. Waist strap and buckle
11. Cummerbund
12. Sand-resistant accessory
pocket zippers
13. Power Inflator/SS1
BC1 Features

BC1 FEATURES |5
14. Chest strap
15. Shoulder strap/buckle
16. Right shoulder
dump knob
17. Low pressure
hose retainer
18. Low pressure hose
19. Corrugated hose
20. Right shoulder dump/
overpressure valve
21. Trim weight pockets
22. Lower rear dump knob
23. Lower rear dump/
OPR valve
24. Backplate grip surface
25. CAM-LOK tank band/
buckle
26. Tank positioning loop

6| ATOMIC AQUATICS BC1 OWNERS MANUAL
Warranty Registration
Please take a moment to locate, complete and return your warranty registration card to Atomic Aquatics. This card is very
important. It will help you obtain warranty service and it provides us a means to contact you in the event of safety notices,
service updates, or changes regarding this product. You may also register your warranty online at: www.atomicaquatics.com
Precautions and Safety Information
This section contains information that may affect your safety. Please read it completely before attempting to use the product. If
you do not understand this information, contact your Atomic Aquatics Authorized Dealer for clarification or more information.
There are warning messages throughout this manual that require your attention to understand and avoid certain conditions that
may be hazardous to you. Use of these symbols indicates the following:
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES
WARNING: Indicates situation that may, if not avoided or not corrected, result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION: Indicates situation that may, if not avoided or not corrected, result in minor or moderate injury
or significant damage to the product.
NOTE: Used to direct attention to emphasize an important detail.
WARNING
You must receive training and certification from a nationally recognized scuba training agency before you
attempt to use this product. Failure to obtain proper training could result in serious injury or death. Training
must include buoyancy control skills and emergency weight ditching training. If you are uncertain as to the
meaning of this statement, contact your Atomic Aquatics Authorized Dealer or Atomic Aquatics for clarification.

This manual is intended to help acquaint you with the basic features and operation of the Atomic BC1, but it is impossible to
provide you with all of the information and the hands-on training you need in order to use the product in a safe and enjoyable
manner. This is the reason for requiring certified instruction. The information contained here is not sufficient as a substitute
for certified training.
General Precautions and Safety Information
WARNING
Please read this section carefully as it contains information that may affect your safety. If you don’t
understand any of the information provided, consult your professional dive instructor, Atomic Aquatics
Authorized Dealer or Atomic Aquatics for clarification or additional information.
The primary purpose of the BC is to provide a means for a diver to adjust buoyancy to remain neutrally buoyant at all times
while diving. Maintenance of neutral buoyancy reduces the physical effort required to dive and allows the diver to maintain a
controlled position in the water. There are circumstances in which this may be essential for your safety and this skill must be
mastered before attempting to dive in open water.
A secondary function of the BC is to provide an option to increase buoyancy to allow you to rest more comfortably on the
surface of the water, but you should not rely on the BC as your sole means to remain afloat at the surface.
WARNING
Your Atomic BC is not a lifejacket or a PFD ( Personal Flotation Device).
PFDs have specific operational features that are not compatible with acceptable BC operation. The BC will
not guaranty face up flotation for a disabled diver and should not be relied upon to prevent drowning on the
surface of the water. Failure to be able to control your position or to receive assistance under these conditions
may result in serious injury or death.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION / PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY INFORMATION |7

8| ATOMIC AQUATICS BC1 OWNERS MANUAL
Adding ballast
The selection of the amount weight or ballast you should add to your body or equipment in order to achieve proper
buoyancy control is a very important aspect of preparing for an efficient and safer diving experience.
Proper use of any BC requires that you adjust the weight (ballast) that you add to yourself or your equipment, so
that you will be neutrally buoyant or nearly neutrally buoyant (less than 5 lbs (2 kg) negatively buoyant) at the surface
of the water with no air in the BC and approximately 500 psi (35 bar) in your diving cylinder.
Adding too much weight can create several problems including the need for more frequent buoyancy adjustments and
possibly an increased risk of uncontrolled ascent or descent from loss of buoyancy control.
You are considered neutrally buoyant when you can remain motionless in an upright position at about eye level with the
surface of the water with your lungs about half full.
The amount of weight needed may change if you make changes to the equipment you use. For example, changing from an
aluminum to a steel cylinder may change the buoyancy characteristics of the collection of equipment and you may have to
adjust the weight you carry as ballast accordingly. Buoyant force in seawater is greater than in fresh water and you may have
to slightly increase ballast for diving in seawater.
You should do a buoyancy check in a confined water environment before you move into open water whenever you have
made changes to the equipment you expect to use.
Setting up your weights for optimum ballast will minimize the frequency and degree of adjustments to buoyancy you will
have to make as you dive, help conserve air usage and decrease swimming effort caused by drag. If you are unsure how to
properly set up your weights, consult with a professional diving instructor for advice.

WARNING
Proper weighting or addition of ballast to your equipment is very important for effective buoyancy control.
Failure to achieve effective buoyancy control could result in your inability to control descent or ascent and
possibly lead to serious injury or death.
There are other limitations to this product that must be observed.
•DO NOT use your BC as a lift bag. Using it to bring heavy objects to the surface while you are wearing it creates a hazard.
If you should lose your grip on the object while transporting it to the surface, you will experience a sudden change in
buoyancy and possibly an uncontrolled ascent leading to an increased risk of serious injury or death.
•NITROX – The Atomic BC1 is intended for use with compressed air or EAN (enriched air nitrox) containing not
more than 40% oxygen. Use of other gas mixtures may pose a fire hazard or cause accelerated deterioration of
materials used in the BC.
•Cold water use – Diving in water temperatures of less than 50°F (10°C) can affect regulator performance and
temperatures of less than -4°F (-20°C) may affect BC valve operation. Do not use this BC under such conditions
without proper training in cold water procedures including the proper emergency response to a free flowing regulator or
inoperable valve.
ADDING BALLAST |9

10 | ATOMIC AQUATICS BC1 OWNERS MANUAL
High Performance Inflator Options
Atomic Aquatics offers two popular inflation options for your BC1: the Atomic Ai Power Inflator; or the Atomic SS1 Safe
Second Inflator Regulator. The BC1 is supplied with the special inflator quick disconnect already installed on the corrugated
inflator hose. Instructions for attachment are the same for either model. Please consult the specific owners’ manuals
supplied with these products for complete information. Other inflators not manufactured by Atomic Aquatics could require
modification to fit and operate properly. The company accepts no liability or responsibility for the use or installation of
non-Atomic Aquatics inflators.
Ai Power Inflator SS1 Safe Second Inflator