KiSS GEM User manual

PATENT PENDING MSL 72.145 Jetsam/GEM R.6

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READTHISMANUAL

KISSGEMDIVERSMUSTREADTHISMANUAL.

INORDERTOFULLYUNDERSTANDYOURNEWGASEXTENDER/REBREATHER,THE
COMPONENTS,HOWTHEYWORK,HOWTOHANDLEANDTREATTHEM,YOUMUST
READTHEMANUALINFULL.

THISSHOULDBEDONEPRIORTODIVINGORSERVICINGTHISUNIT!!!SPECIALAT-
TENTIONSHOULDBEPAIDTOALLNOTES&/ORWARNINGS;THEYMUSTBEREAD
ANDUNDERSTOOD!!!!FAILURETODOSO,MAYCAUSESERIOUSINJURYOR
DEATH!!!!

THISMANUALINNOWAYREPLACESTHETRAININGREQUIREDFORDIVINGASEMI-
CLOSEDREBREATHER.PROPERTRAININGISEXTREMELYIMPORTANTASISGATH-
ERINGTHEPROPEREXPERIENCE.

YOUMUSTBE18YEARSOFAGEINORDERTOPURCHASEANDDIVEAKISSGEM
DIVINGSYSTEM
Aswithallscubadivingequipment,yourKISSGEMdivingsystemshouldbeser-
vicedannuallybyaGEMservicetechnician.Forthosedivingfrequently,servicing
mayberequiredmoreoften.
ALLINFORMATIONINTHISMANUALISSUBJECTTOCHANGE.
PLEASEVISITOURWEBSITE,www.kissrebreathers.com/manuals.html,
FORUPDATEDMANUALS.

PATENT PENDING 3 MSL 72.145 Jetsam/GEM R.6
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THISISNOTAJOKE!!

Participationinrebreatherdivingcanresultinseriousin-
juryordeathtoyou,thediver!

ThewarningontheKISSGEMGasExtenderisnotajoke.Beforebeginningyour
dive,youmustconsidertherisksinvolved.TheGEMconsistsofmanyparts.Allof
thesecomponentswilleventuallyfail.Carefulmaintenance,assembly,andtesting
willnotpreventthisfromhappening.Atbest,itwilldelaythefailure.TheKISS
GEMisnotautomaticinanyway.Itrequiresconstantmonitoring,acomplete
awarenessofthepotentialproblemslikelytobeencountered,andfullknowledge
ofhowtodealwithwhateverproblemsmayoccur.Ifyoudonothaveadequate
training,equipment,physicalconditioning,andapropermindset,donotgetinthe
water.

Thediver,YOU,hasthefinalresponsibilityforhisorherownsafetyandactions
whileusingthisrebreather.AllcomponentsoftheKISSGEMmustbeingood
workingorderandbeproperlyassembledandtestedtoreducetheriskoffailure.
Regardlessofthetrainingandexperienceofthediverandthereliabilityofthere-
breathertheriskofseriousinjuryand/ordeathcanneverbereducedtozero.

ThismanualisnotacompletetextonthemaintenanceandoperationoftheKISS
GEM.Thedivermustcompleteapropertrainingcoursecoveringthemainte-
nance,testingandoperationofthesemi-closedrebreatherbeforedivingthis
equipment.Therebreathercanmalfunctionwhiledivingevenwhenproperlyas-
sembledandhavingpassedallpre-divetests.Onlycarryingadequategasand
havingthetrainingandskillsnecessarytoswitchtoopencircuitgas,canreduce,
butnevereliminate,theriskofequipmentfailure.

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ACCEPTABLENITROXMIXTURES&GEMINFORMATIONPAGE
Level1KISSGEMdiversarecertifiedtouseNitroxmixturesfrom32%nitroxto40%nitrox.DONOTUSEMIX-
TUESWITHLESSTHEN32%!!!!Whenusingacceptablenitroxmixturesthereareseveralthingstobeawareof:
1. The higher the nitrox mixture, the less chance of hypoxia. Also the shallower maximum operating depth (MOD).
2. The lower the nitrox mixture, the greater chance of hypoxia. Also the MOD will be deeper.
3.Care must be taken to ensure that while doing deeper KISS GEM dives, that divers stay within their training level
and are careful to not accumulate unexpected decompression obligations. DECOMPRESSIONDIVINGISRISKY
ANDINVOLVESSPECIALIZEDTRAINING.DONOTDIVETHEGEMDIVINGSYSTEMOUTSIDEYOURCERTIFICA-
TIONLEVEL!LEVEL1GEMDIVERSSHOULDNOTBEDOINGDECOMPRESSIONDIVING!!
4. Every human body will metabolize the oxygen in the nitrox breathing mixture differently. Therefore, a diver and
his buddy may notice that their breathing gas PPO2/FiO2 percentage may not be similar. A small person will use
much less oxygen then a larger person.
5.Many divers will find that using a 36% nitrox or higher breathing gas in the KISS GEM diving system will enable
them to always have a safe breathing gas underwater. HOWEVER, this may not be true for all divers, or in all
situations! GREATCAREMUSTBETAKENTOALWAYSKNOWWHATYOUAREBREATHING!!THESHALLOWER
THEDIVERIS,THELOWERTHEPPO2/FiO2MAYDROP!!ALSO,ITWILLDROPQUICKLYONTHESURFACE.
DIVERSMUSTNOTGOBYTHEIRBUDDYSGAUGE;THEYMUSTMONITORTHEIROWNANDALWAYSBEWARE
OFTHEIRBREATHINGMIXTURE.
NEVERBREATHEONTHEGEMLOOPWHILEONTHESURFACEORINTHETOP20FOOTRANGE!!DIVERSSHOULD
BEONOPENCIRCUITOROPENLOOPONLY!!!
6. On descending from the surface to 20 feet, the diver should be using either open circuit or the GEM in open cir-
cuit mode; this is also known as open loop. While descending, the diver should exhale out of his nose, and inhale
triggering the T-piece second stage or pushing on the T-piece second stage to manually add gas. The PPO2 moni-
tor or computer should be watched continuously during this phase of the descent.
7. On Ascending from 20 feet to the surface, the diver should use either open circuit or dive the GEM in open circuit
mode/open loop and also monitor the PPO2 monitor or computer continuously.
8.Divers should be careful to not become complacent in monitoring the gas percentage in their breathing loop. It
should be a habit to check the GEM display frequently, especially in shallow water. This means checking it once
per minute. Divers may become comfortable using a high mixture such as 36%; then when they decide to do a
dive using a lower percentage such as 32%, may forget to monitor the gauge as often as they should. ITISIM-
PORTANTTHATGOODHABITSAREFORMEDANDTHATATALLTIMESWHENBREATHINGONTHEGEMWHILE
INSHALLOWWATER,THEPPO2MONITORORCOMPUTERMUSTBECONTINIOUSLYMONITORED.IFDIVING
OPENLOOP,FROMTHESURFACETOADEPTHOF20FEET,THEBREATHINGGASDISPLAYSHOULDBEMONI-
TOREDCONTINOUSLY.ATDEPTHITSHOULDBECHECKEDEVERY1MINUTE!
9.Divers using lower percentages of nitrox, will find that their PPO2/FiO2 percentages could fall into dangerous
zones while either in shallow water or on the surface. ITISESSENTIALTHATDIVERSDONOTBREATHONTHE
GEMWHILEONTHESURFACE.IFDIVERSNEEDTOSPENDTIMEATTHESURFACE,EITHERSWIMMING,WALK-
INGTOTHEWATERORWAITING,ANDTHEYREQUIREASCUBASYSTEMTOBREATHEFROM,THEYSHOULD
BEBREATHINGONTHEIROPENCIRCUITREGULATOR.WHENTHEYAREREADYTOSTARTTHEDIVE,THEY
MAYSWITCHTOBREATHINGOPENLOOPONTHEGEMDIVINGSYSTEM,MONITORINGCONTINIOUSLYWHILE
DESCENDINGTHROUGHTHESHALLOWWATERRANGE.ALTERNATIVELY,THEDIVERMAYUSEOPENCIRCUIT
INTHETOP20FOOTRANGEANDSWITCHTOTHEGEMDIVINGSYSTEMONCEPAST20FEET.THEOPEN
CIRCUITREGULATORISANIMPORTANTPARTOFTHEGEMDIVINGSYSTEMANDSHOULDBEUSEDWHEN
REQUIRED.
10. During the 5 minute pre-breathe, divers must follow the instructions and monitor the PPO2/FiO2 gauge continu-
ously, venting the loop and adding fresh nitrox if the breathing gas percentage falls below air. Depending on the
nitrox mixture in the cylinder, this may need to be done frequently or not at all. As mentioned above, every body
will metabolize oxygen differently.
11.REMEMBER,ITISSTRONGLYRECOMMENDEDTHATGEMDIVERSUSE36%NITROXORHIGHER.LOWERPER-
CENTAGESSHOULDBEUSEDWITHCAUTION!

PATENT PENDING 5 MSL 72.145 Jetsam/GEM R.6
5
UNDERSTANDINGTHEKISSGEM-IMPORTANTTOREAD&UNDERSTAND
On the previous information page, you will see many notes and warnings.
As the GEM is so easy to dive, many divers many feel that the warnings are not required. It is important to note that
the KISS GEM diving system is a sophisticated tool; care and attention are essential to divers safety. There are a cou-
ple of important points worth discussing here.
SHALLOWWATER&SWIMMINGPOOLS
In order for the GEM to vent properly, the unit must be submerged in water. If the unit is NOT submerged, it will not
vent properly.
The KISS GEM has a design that allows the system to vent and add gas, as required. This system is designed to vent
a very specific amount of gas. If the GEM does not vent gas, ITWON’TADDFRESHGAS. This means that a diver
standing in a pool or shallow water, with the unit out of water breathing on the GEM, could go hypoxic. Remember,
the diver is rebreathing his exhaled gas and is using up the oxygen in the breathing loop. With each breath the diver
takes, the volume of oxygen in the loop will decrease. With no fresh gas being added, the loop will eventually go hy-
poxic.
As you can see, the venting is key to divers safety.
OTHERGASMIXTURES
You have seen on the previous page that KISS GEM level 1 divers are certified to use between 32% and 40% nitrox.
Those divers that wish to use other mixes, will likely require diving the KISS GEM with a secondary gas. This is why a
KISS GEM level 2 class must be taken.
Those divers that wish to learn basic decompression diving on the KISS GEM, will need to take the level 2 training
class so that they are taught to use a shallow gas (higher amount of oxygen) in conjunction with their standard nitrox
mixture. Of course, this isn’t the only thing that these divers must learn to do decompression diving.
Those divers that wish to learn to use gas mixtures with less oxygen, must also take the level 2 training class. They
will be taught to use lighter nitrox mixtures. These divers will also need to use a secondary gas mixture which has a
higher amount of oxygen.
It is essential that divers understand that using nitrox mixtures of less then 32% greatly increases the risk of hypoxia
in shallow water and on ascents.
AKISSGEMdiverusingairCANNOTmake a direct ascent to the surface. As the diver ascends, the gas will vent
from the GEM diving system 2 ways; by the discharge ports on the mouthpiece and also by the over pressure valve
on the scrubber head.
It is important to remember that as the diver goes up the gas in the diving system will expand (even though the unit
is venting), thus providing the diver with an adequate amount of gas to breathe. As the breathing loop is full of gas,
the T-piece second stage MAYNOTadd fresh gas. As explained above, if fresh gas is not being added to the diving
system, the amount of oxygen in the loop will decrease with every breath, which will eventually cause the gas in the
loop to become hypoxic.
The GEM gas addition works just like an open circuit regulator. When the diver inhales, the change of pressure trig-
gers the regulator to add gas. On the GEM, the diver inhales the gas from the breathing loop, then as the lungs go flat
and there is no more gas to inhale, the positive pressure on the lungs causes the T-piece second stage to add fresh
gas.
What does this all mean?
• Recreational level 1 GEM divers just need to remember that their gas mixtures are between 32% and 40%, and we
recommend 36% or higher.
• Technical divers need to take the level 2 training class .
KISS GEM diving is easy, fun and safe. GEM gives divers 3 times the amount of gas to breathe, in a light weight, port-
able system. The rules for GEM diving are no more difficult then those for open circuit diving, just different.

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KISS GEM 
FINALLY, THE BENEFITS OF DIVING A REBREATHER IN A LIGHT WEIGHT,
ECONOMICAL, EASY TO USE GAS EXTENDING SYSTEM!

TheGEMsystemisthelatestadditiontotheKISSrebreatherfamily.TheGEM,likeallKISSsystems,is
DURABLE,  RELIABLE,EASYTOUSE, & ECONOMICAL.
The KISS GEM, as the name implies - Gas Extending Mechanism - is a simple system that extends the time
your gas will last underwater. The GEM system will allow the gas in your cylinder to last
THREETIMESAS
LONG!
The GEM utilizes a nitrox mixture, allowing you to experience the benefits of diving enriched air nitrox. Other
benefits that GEM diving offers include the exceptionally small size, the light weight, fewer parts and complex-
ity then diving a fully closed rebreather. Yet GEM still provides the same benefits that rebreather diving offers;
warm moist air to breath, no noisy rush of bubbles to scare fish away, and the benefits of diving enriched air.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GEMpartslist Page7
ReceivingyourGEM Page8
Canister&scrubberhead Page8
Canisterloading Page10
Wing/harness system & counterlung cover adjustment and placing Page 11
GEM mounting system Page 13
Loop hoses, T-pieces, & quick disconnect system Page 14
Counterlungs & counterlung covers Page 15
Lungvolumetroubleshooting Page16
Mouthpiece Page18
Positive&Negativetesting Page20
T-piece2ndstageuse Page22
Sensorinformation Page23
Sensor installation & display attachment Page 24
GEMwristdisplay Page25
GEM wrist display - battery warning Page 27
GEM wrist display - changing the battery Page 28
GEM wrist display - trouble shooting Page 30
CareforFischerconnectors Page31
Shearwater GEM diving computer Page 32
DivingtheKISSGEM Page34
Predivechecklist Page36
Post dive check list - disassembly of GEM Page 39
Training Page40
Minimum training standards Page 41
Duration Page43
Recommendedspareparts Page44
Servicing / installation of spare parts Page 45
Exhaust valve, T-piece second stage, work of breathing troubleshooting Page 46
Warranty Page48
Front and back cover photos by Alan Studley

PATENT PENDING 7 MSL 72.145 Jetsam/GEM R.6
7
GEMSPECIFICATIONS&PARTSLIST
Congratulations on purchasing the KISS GEM. This is a system for divers who want the luxury of having their breath-
ing gas last three times as long!
This system is for recreational divers who wish to extend their gas, experience the benefits of rebreather diving, yet
keep the system easy to use and economical.
• Weight of the KISS GEM, including the canister, base cross piece, mouthpiece, all loop hoses and T-pieces, counterlungs,
counterlung covers, wing/harness, mounting system is, 18 pounds / 8 kg. Without the wing/harness system it is 13
pounds / 5.9 kg.
• Height of the canister to the top of the hose attachment towers is approximately 13.5 inches / 34.3 cm. The diameter of
the canister is approximately 5.5 inches / 14 cm, not including the cylinder mount.
• The wing & harness system, including the crotch strap weighs approximately 4.9 pounds / 2.2 kg. This system is designed
to fold down to a very small package!
PARTSINCLUDED:
• 1 GEM scrubber head includes, 2 hose attachment towers, 1 exhaust valve, gasket & cir clip, O-ring.
• 1 GEM canister. Includes threaded tube, base, internal base cross support.
• 1 cylinder attachment system. Includes GEM mount with 2 SS hose clamps attached to canister, & cylinder mounting sys-
tem attached to cam strap on wing.
• 1 17” standard loop hose. This hose will be attached to the right hand/2nd stage regulator T piece with counterlung ring
attached. Opposing end will have a quick disconnect hose stub attached.
• 1 22” standard loop hose. This hose will be attached to the left hand/Display T piece with counterlung ring attached. Op-
posing end will have a quick disconnect hose stub attached.
• 2 GEM specific 17” loop hoses. These will have the mouthpiece hose attachments on one end and a quick disconnect hose
stub on the other. 3 ballast rings will be installed on each hose.
• Sensor housing with single display. OR, Fischer cable attached to sensor housing for use with GEM computer.
• 1 sensor housing O-ring. This will be packaged inside the scrubber canister.
• 2 counterlungs with counterlung covers and adjustment straps. Counterlungs will be inserted in the covers.
• 1 mouthpiece (DSV)
• 2 black cir clips for securing the hose attachments to the mouthpiece. Cir clips will be packaged inside the scrubber canis-
ter.
• 1 wing/harness system. Includes, 35 lb back inflate wing, webbing harness, crotch strap, 2 cam straps, inflator. GEM mount-
ing system will be attached to the cam strap. (Wing/harness/crotch strap is an optional item)
• 1 LP regulator hose (t-piece second stage to your first stage)
• 1 2nd stage regulator necklace. This is for your bailout regulator. This will be packaged in the scrubber canister.
• 1 CD with manual. This will be in your envelope with your warranty card.
EXTRAS
• Quick Disconnect for T-piece second stage to LP hose. If ordered at the time of purchasing GEM, it will be installed on your
unit.
• HP/LP swivel elbows
• Spare parts &/or spare parts kit. See back of manual for details.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED GEAR
• Personal gear: mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves
• Weight belt
• Exposure suit
• First stage with pressure & depth gauge, 2nd stage
• Computer (optional)
• 1 sensor for the display system. Analytical Industries (AI) PSR-11-39-MD or Maxtec inc., Max - 305.

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8
RECEIVINGYOURGEM&CONFIGURATION
Your new KISS GEM diving system will be shipped directly to your dealer. For those that will take delivery of the GEM
themselves and have not yet been certified, certain components &/or the mouthpiece will need to be shipped sepa-
rately to your instructor. This may mean a higher shipping charge. This ensures that no diving will take place prior to
the proper training being received.
First, unpack your GEM and using the parts list on page 7, ensure that all components have been received and there
hasn’t been any shipping damage. If anything seems to be damaged from shipping, please contact either your dealer
or the Jetsam offices in a timely fashion so that we may replace your damaged parts.
The KISS GEM diving system you have purchased is for recreational diving and should be configured as instructed in
this manual.
SCRUBBERHEAD
You will receive your scrubber head with the hose attachment towers and Apeks exhaust -
Over Pressure Valve (OPV) already attached to the scrubber head. The O-rings have been
installed. The towers have been factory installed and do not require divers to remove them.
On the inside of the head, you will see the rubber gasket which has been installed and secured with a cir clip. The
gasket has been factory installed and will not require divers to remove it.
The scrubber head O-ring has been installed for you. See the photo right for location. Apply
lubricant to the installed O-ring.
The exhale tower is the tower in which dives will see the air passage tube and it will have an
“X” engraved beside it. The inhale tower is the tower in which the diver will see the grey
baffle and it will have an “I” engraved beside it. 

Your scrubber head is now prepared. Prior to diving, divers should ensure that the O-ring is
clean and lubricated; that the gasket is in good condition; the OPV is tightened all the way
down; the towers are not damaged.
SCRUBBERHEADO-RING:
The O-ring in the scrubber head was changed to a slightly larger one. The original O-ring required proper attention to
ensure that it was properly seated and adequately lubricated prior to every dive. The new O-ring, as it is larger, fits
much snugger into the groove which makes it unlikely to dislodge.
Installation of this O-ring requires using the procedure described below. As you will notice, it will seem that the O-
ring is too large for the groove. This is why it is important that the procedure below be followed.
To install this O-ring, first ensure that the O-ring groove is clean of any debris and then apply silicone grease to the
groove. Also lubricate the O-ring well. We have found that using a standard silicone lubricant works best.
Push the O-ring into the groove; you will wind up with a portion looped up and out of the groove. Once you get to
this point ensure that your fingers don’t have an excess amount of lubricant on them. Then grasp the loop at the top
- right area and holding it firmly, push it to the left, into its self. You will see that the loop will slowly start to get
smaller. When the loop is substantially decreased, the O-ring will snap into the groove. This is very easy to do.
*WARNING:TheOPVwhichispartoftheGEMdivingsystemisrequiredtoassistinventingthesystemonas-
cent.ItisNOTforthesolepurposeofventingforyouwhilediving.TheGEMdivingsystemshouldbedovewith
theOPVinafullyclosedposition.Ifitisnotfullyclosed,youmaybeventingduringthedivewhenyoushould-
n’tbe;thiswillcauseyoutouseanexcessamountofgas!

PATENT PENDING 9 MSL 72.145 Jetsam/GEM R.6
9
CANISTER&BASE
You will receive the canister already threaded onto the scrubber base. This is a factory install and divers are not re-
quired to remove it.
Servicing the scrubber base and scrubber base O-ring should only be attempted by a qualified GEM service technician.
Empty all items out of the canister and set aside. The only component that is
required for the canister is the base cross support. The cross support sits in the
center bottom of the canister. See photo to the right. Attached to the canister
will be the cylinder mounting system. Please see page 12 for instructions of use.
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*WARNING:TheKISSGEMcanister&headisakeycomponenttothedivingsystem.Propercareandmainte-
nanceshouldbetakenwithregardstothisitem.Itshouldbeinspectedandservicedannually.Therubberhead
gasketshouldonlybeservicedbyaqualifiedGEMservicetechnician.Improperuse&/orcaremayresultinseri-
ousinjuryordeath!

10
10
CANISTERLOADING
Canister duration’s are listed on page 39.
To load the GEM canister you will need a Micropore 5” large bore cartridge, part #SR-0801C. Micropore has several
different cartridges available which all have similar part numbers. Please be certain that you use the correct car-
tridge, double checking the part number and ensuring that it is the large bore cartridge prior to use.
*NOTE:ThereismorethenonetypeofMicroporecartridgeforrecreationalre-
breathers.Ensurethatyouareusingthecorrectcartridge!Itmustbethelarge
borecartridge.Ifthecartondoesnotsaylargeboreontheside,donotuseit!
Prepare your scrubber head by ensuring that the gasket is properly inserted and in good
condition. Also, ensure that the scrubber head O-ring is clean and lubricated. The head
should also be clean and ready to dive.
Lubricate the top edge and the outer side of the canister. This is a sealing surface and
requires lubricant. See photo to the right.
Open the container that holds the cartridge and slide the cartridge out and remove it
from the plastic bag. Once out of the packaging, handle it only by the sides.
*WARNING:Becertaintoonlyholdthecartridgebythesidesasthetopandbot-
tomendsarecausticandwillburnyourskin!
First push the cartridge into the scrubber head, ensur-
ing that it is inserted all the way. Next push the base
cross piece onto the bottom of the cartridge. Again
ensure that it is inserted all the way. See photos to
the right.
Place the partially assembled cartridge gently into the
canister assembly. The base cross piece will sit on
the nipple which is in the centre of the base. This
placement will allow the canister to spin freely while
the head is tightened. Place the canister on a flat
surface with the mount against a wall. This will en-
sure that the canister sits straight as you secure the
head. Prior to tightening the head, turn it counter
clockwise (left) to ensure that the head settles prop-
erly into position and the threads are lined up. Then tighten the head. As you turn the head you will feel after about
3 turns the O-ring start to engage. After another 1.5 approximate turns, you will
not be able to turn it anymore. It will take approximately 4.5 turns to secure the
head. Ensure that it is properly attached!!
*NOTE:itisimportanttopayattentiontohowdifficultitistotightenthe
head.Asmentioned,youwillfeeltheO-ringengageanditwillbecomemore
difficulttoturnthehead.Ifitissotightthatyouhavetousealotmore
force,backtheheadoff,andchecktheO-ring.Ifitispinched,replaceitasit
willlikelyleadoncepinched.AsyoustartdivingtheGEM,youwillbefamil-
iarwithhowitissupposedtofeel,andifitiseverdifferent,youwillknow
thatsomethinghaschangedandyouneedtoverifythatyourO-ringisok.
WerecommendthatdiverspurchaseasparesetofO-rings.
When the head is tightened all the way, the exhaust valve and inhale tower on
the head will be aligned with the mount, as per the photo to the right.
If you draw an imaginary line from the left side of the inhale tower, it should line up with the right side of the GEM
cylinder attachment. This placement ensures proper hose routing once the canister is attached to the harness.