Positioning and use of AAS

[Steve Pearson]

If giving a hands-on lesson on positioning and use of AAS to dive leaders and above, what sort of information would you include, and what would the format of your lesson be.

[gareth]

1. I always start off with making sure the AAS is not obscured by other kit - they should know better but I am constantly suprised.
2. Orientation of AAS - is set for the casualty to be to your left or right. (Again the number of AAS were the hose has to come across the body or be kinked never ceases to suprise me.)
Get as much 'length' in the hose as is possible, so if it feeds in to the right side of a standard second stage (when breathing off it) it comes off the left side of the donnar
3. Nature of the AAS
- side vent
- On/Off switches
- in the case of jetstreams the amount of pressure need to purge & the rate at which air is feed can suprise some unfamiliar users
- tilting head to clear side vent valves
4. Benefits of long hoses & storing long hoses
5. Lots of in water practice, static, swimming (side by side & behind etc), ascents. Practice giving an AAS (old technique, assist rather than rescue) & having one taken 'unexpected' (as per new syllabus).

Most important is unencombered access to the AAS, easy of use, quick deployment with the mimimum of fuss, comfort & confidence as both donar & reciever, able to cope without a working regulator in the mouth for a period. Ability to recover a disloged regulator & remembering to breath out if the regulator is not in your mount (No breath holding!)

Just a few ideas.

Gareth

[Steve Pearson]

1. I always start off with making sure the AAS is not obscured by other kit - they should know better but I am constantly suprised.
2. Orientation of AAS - is set for the casualty to be to your left or right. (Again the number of AAS were the hose has to come across the body or be kinked never ceases to suprise me.)
Get as much 'length' in the hose as is possible, so if it feeds in to the right side of a standard second stage (when breathing off it) it comes off the left side of the donnar
3. Nature of the AAS
- side vent
- On/Off switches
- in the case of jetstreams the amount of pressure need to purge & the rate at which air is feed can suprise some unfamiliar users
- tilting head to clear side vent valves
4. Benefits of long hoses & storing long hoses
5. Lots of in water practice, static, swimming (side by side & behind etc), ascents. Practice giving an AAS (old technique, assist rather than rescue) & having one taken 'unexpected' (as per new syllabus).

Most important is unencombered access to the AAS, easy of use, quick deployment with the mimimum of fuss, comfort & confidence as both donar & reciever, able to cope without a working regulator in the mouth for a period. Ability to recover a disloged regulator & remembering to breath out if the regulator is not in your mount (No breath holding!)

Just a few ideas.

Gareth

Thanks Gareth for the useful advice

[gareth]

Steve

No problem with giving suggestions - I hope that you & the students found it was useful in practice.

It's a skill that should be second nature - but its surpising how seldom its practiced.

Gareth