Juergensen Marine
Mark 15 Maintenance Manual
The Final Word
The Last Word...
I've endeavored to put this manual together in order to help a lot of new guys who are just getting into rebreather diving, and buying a Mark 15. I also wrote it to give my own insight to guys who already have 15's, 15.5's and 16's.
(Yes, I said “guys” twice up there - no offense to women, but so far, I don't know of any women who dive these rigs - and even when I walk into a room full of females, I still say “Hi Guys”...)
If I can leave you all with one thing it is that the understanding and maintenance of these machines is vital to your continued diving career, and indeed, life.
As anyone who knows me well can attest, I keep probably the messiest office of anyone, and my shop is usually a total disaster. But the one thing in life that I am incredibly anal about is my rebreather.
Diving a rebreather is probably the greatest experience you can have in your diving career. It gives you damn-near limitless time underwater, you can breathe like a Hoover vacuum if you want, with no penalty for gas use, and the constant neutral-buoyancy you will experience is incredible. Also, the fact that you will all of a sudden notice that you “blend in” with the surrounding sea life is one of the joys of diving these things. You will be able to get closer to marine life than you ever could on open circuit.
There are a lot of things that you'll have to learn all over again, when you dive a rebreather, but that is half the fun. I haven't covered all the practical diving techniques required in this manual, because you should learn all of that from a qualified, certified rebreather instructor.
Also, you should beware of those that pontificate on how rebreathers work, with limited or no experience on your particular rig. The world if full of them, and they all want to tell you how these machines work. Try to avoid taking their advice on its face. Read this manual, and the Mark 15 manual that is enclosed. Talk to others who actually own and dive a Mark 15, 15.5 or 16. Never, ever take someone's word on how to dive these machines unless they are certified instructors (who qualified on the Mark 15) or experienced Mark 15 rebreather divers.
Take care of your machine, and it will take care of you.
Safe diving to all.
Chapter Two - Various Models of Rebreathers
Chapter Three - General Maintenance of Systems
Chapter Five - Keeping it Working
Chapter Six - What to Look Out For (Warning Signs)
Chapter Seven - Personal Philosophy of Handling Emergency Situations
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