Sherwood Scuba SH0403 User manual
Buoyancy Compensators
User’s Manual
www.SherwoodScuba.com
WARNING/DISCLAIMER PAGE 2
WARNING: This manual provides some basic guidelines for
certain buoyancy control techniques using your Sherwood Buoyancy
Compensator (BC), but it is not a substitute for training from a
professional diving instructor. If you are unsure how to weight yourself
in order to achieve optimum buoyancy underwater and on the surface,
do not dive with your Sherwood BC until you have obtained the
necessary instruction from your diving instructor or Authorized
Sherwood Scuba Dealer. Failure to weight yourself properly can create a
hazardous condition that could lead to serious injury or death.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS PRIOR TO USING YOUR SHERWOOD BC.
Denitions of Warnings, Cautions and Notes:
A WARNING is used before a procedure or situation that may
result in serious injury or death.
A CAUTION indicates a situation or technique that will result
in damage to the product.
A NOTE is used to emphasize important points.
WARNING: This manual contains important information for the
proper use and care of your Sherwood Buoyancy Compensator (BC).
Sherwood BC’s are designed with many patented features that are
unique from other manufacturer’s. It is therefore very important to
carefully read the instructions provided in this manual in order to
understand how to correctly use your BC. Incorrect use of your BC can
result in serious injury or death.
WARNING/DISCLAIMER PAGE 2
CONTENTS
GENERAL WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS ....................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 5
INTENDED USE & FUNCTION OF YOUR BC ................................. 6
OVERVIEW OF STANDARD FEATURES ......................................... 7
PREPARATION & SETUP ........................................................... 9
INTEGRATED WEIGHT SYSTEMS ................................................11
NON-RELEASABLE WEIGHT ........................................................12
RELEASABLE WEIGHT SYSTEM ..................................................13
PRE-DIVE INSPECTION ............................................................16
DIVING WITH YOUR SHERWOOD BC .......................................17
RULES FOR PERSONAL WEIGHTING ...........................................................17
DIVING WITH A RELEASABLE WEIGHT SYSTEM ...........................................17
POST DIVE CARE & MAINTENANCE ...........................................21
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES & SPECIAL FEATURES .......................... 22
DEALER INSPECTION & SERVICE .............................................. 23
LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ............................................. 24
ANNUAL SERVICE RECORD ..................................................... 27
This owner's manual is copyrighted, all rights
reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be
copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine
readable form without prior consent in writing
from Sherwood Scuba®.
© Copyright 2022 Sherwood Scuba®.
BC Owner's Manual, PN# MAN2022-SC1
PAGE 4GENERAL WARNINGS
Do not use this buoyancy compensating device (BC) if you have not
received supervised instruction and certification in SCUBA diving and
buoyancy control from a recognized training agency. USE OF
SCUBA EQUIPMENT BY UNCERTIFIED OR UNTRAINED PERSONS
IS DANGEROUS AND CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Before using this BC, it is important to completely read and
understand all of the instructions provided in this owner’s manual,
any accompanying inserts, and labels or markings affixed to the BC.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DO NOT COMPLETELY
UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS, CONSULT YOUR
AUTHORIZED SHERWOOD SCUBA DEALER.
Before diving with this BC in open water, it is important to familiarize
yourself with it first in confined shallow water with the assistance
and supervision of an instructor or experienced buddy. DO NOT
ENTER OPEN WATER UNTIL YOU HAVE WEIGHTED YOURSELF
PROPERLY AND HAVE BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH USING ALL
OF ITS FEATURES AND ADJUSTMENTS.
Before every dive, perform a complete pre-dive inspection following
the instructions provided in this manual. Check to ensure that all
valves are functioning properly and no signs of damage or leaks are
present. IF ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR MALFUNCTION ARE
FOUND, DO NOT DIVE WITH THE BC UNTIL IT HAS RECEIVED
SERVICE FROM AN AUTHORIZED SHERWOOD SCUBA DEALER.
Before entering the water, check to ensure that you can remove and
ditch your weight quickly and easily, without any obstruction or
entanglement with any hoses or accessories. IN THE EVENT OF AN
OUT OF AIR EMERGENCY OR UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, DO NOT
HESITATE TO REMOVE AND DITCH WEIGHT.
DO NOT USE YOUR BC TO LIFT HEAVY OBJECTS TO THE
SURFACE. Doing so may cause permanent damage to the BC, and
could easily result in an uncontrolled ascent.
General Warnings & Precautions
PAGE 5 GENERAL WARNINGS
Warnings & Precautions (continued)
DO NOT over inflate your BC or rely on using the power inflator to lift
yourself toward the surface. Control all ascents. A RAPID,
UNCONTROLLED ASCENT MAY CAUSE ARTERIAL GAS EMBOLISM
OR DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH.
IN THE EVENT OF AN UNCONTROLLED, RAPID ASCENT, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO IMMEDIATELY VENT AS MUCH AIR AS POSSIBLE
FROM THE BC TO SLOW YOUR ASCENT RATE.
DO NOT INHALE FROM YOUR ORAL INFLATOR. The BC air cell may
contain harmful contaminants or gases, which could cause suffocation
or injury.
It is important to obtain factory prescribed service for this BC from an
Authorized Sherwood Dealer at least once each year, or according to
the same scheduled intervals for your regulator. Annual service
consists of a complete overhaul of the power inflator, and a general
air leak inspection of the air cell and valve connections.
Disassembly, repair or lubrication must only be performed by
persons who are factory trained and authorized by Sherwood Scuba.
UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE WILL RENDER THE WARRANTY NULL
AND VOID, AND COULD CAUSE THE BCD TO MALFUNCTION.
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Sherwood Scuba. Your new BC has been
designed, crafted, and assembled following the most exacting standards
of any diving equipment manufacturer. Our design team is made up of
enthusiasts like yourself who actively dive, and we take pride in creating
products that will enhance your diving comfort and enjoyment.
To fully enjoy all the features of your BC, and understand how to
properly use it, it is very important to take the time to read the instructions
provided in this manual. If you have any questions, please consult your
Authorized Sherwood Scuba Dealer.
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