The Fully Tested SuperLite® 17B Commercial Diver’s Helmet Set The Working Standard For The Commercial Diving Industry Worldwide...

Many thousands of underwater hours have proved the design to be dependable, comfortable, extremely rugged, and is Commercial Rated™  certified. The SL-17B has been tested and certified to meet or exceed all requirements for all governing agencies. It is certified for use in diving operations world wide.

The helmet system consists of two pieces: the neck dam-yoke and the helmet. The diver slips on the angled neck dam with the attached yoke. The neck clamp is then slipped onto the helmet and locked. The locking system not only seals the neck dam to the helmet but also secures the front of the yoke.

The SuperLite® 17B also includes our Quad-Valve™ Exhaust System which retrofits to many of our Helmets. This exhaust has exceptionally low exhalation resistance that you must experience to appreciate. The new SL-17A/B Helmet Retainer™ (chin strap) along with the new SL-17A/B Yoke Retainer™ (yoke strap) make it virtually impossible to have the hat come loose. These upgrades are standard on all new SL-17B helmets and will retrofit to all previous SL-17 A/B Helmets.

The Side Block Assembly is standard in the B configuration, receiving the umbilical over the shoulder (17B as shown). The SuperLite® 17B offers comprehensive head protection, an adjustable demand breathing system for gas economy, antiflooding features, rapid emplacement, a neck dam clamp that mechanically breaks a low-pressure lock, and a trim to fit angled neck dam which seats the helmet comfortably, especially when working in the face down position. The pull pin neck clamp release provides a system for prevention of accidental helmet removal.

SuperFlow® Regulator: The 505-027 SuperFlow® "B" regulator on the SuperLite® 17B offers high performance. The regulator has been tested at Dive Lab at Panama City, Florida. It meets all current U.S. Navy and European diving standards.

Air Train: The air train diffuses incoming breathing air/gas onto the face port/lens to defog and ventilate.

Brass Handle: Handle can be removed without breaking seals, making it quick and easy to attach accessories.

Chin & Yoke Strap Kit: The SL-17B Helmet ships with a low profile strap system designed to retain the helmet to the neck clamp/yoke assembly in the event these two main components accidentally become separated.

Defogging Steady Flow Valve: Provides an additional flow of gas into the helmet for ventilation and defogging.

Emergency (EGS) Valve: Supplies backup breathing gas to the diver.

Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Shell: Kirby Morgan® has over 50 years experience in composite laminations. The helmet shell is hand laid up glass fiber reinforced thermal setting polyester (fiberglass) with carbon fiber reinforcement at key points for added durability. It is light and highly impact resistant, and provides a heat/cold barrier as well as being an excellent electrical nonconductor.

Gas Supply Non-Return Valve: Commercially Rated™ It prevents loss of gas pressure in the event of umbilical damage.

Nose Block Device: Allows the diver to block the nose to equalize ears.

Side Block: Multi use side block has additional ports built in to provide controlled air flow, if needed.

Silicone Oral Nasal Mask: Made of a superior silicone material which is hypo-allergenic and has a longer work life than latex.

Whisker Wings: Bubble deflecting Whisker wings keep bubbles further from face port and ears, improving visibility and decreasing internal noise.

Specifications The SuperLite 17B helmet has been tested and conforms to the performance requirements as set forth in Annex II of Directive 89686EEC and as far as applicable the EN 250:2000 EN 250A1:2006 and EN 15333-1:2008 (class B). It is fully CE marked with demand regulator SuperFlow&reg 350 and oral nasals PN 510-690 and PN 510-747.

Weight: 27 lbs.
Helmet Shell: Fiberglass polyester resin polyester gel coat and carbon fibers
Control Knobs: Polyurathane
Lens: Clear polycarbonate
Neck Dam: Neoprene. Optional latex neck dam available.
O-Rings: Buna-N
Head Cushion: Nylon bag filled with ,4 Polyester foam
Cage Code: The cage code for identifying KMDSI products for U.S. government purposes is 58366. 
CR Standards: These helmets meet or exceeds all standards established by Dive Lab of Panama City Florida and are CR (Commercially Rated) marked. Operational 

Recommended Lubricants: All commercial diving helmets and band masks are lubricated at the factory with Christo Lube. Kirby Morgan recommends Christo Lube for all gas train components. Dow Corning 111 Silicone lubricant may also be used with gas mixtures less than 50 % oxygen.

Regulator Performance Performance: The 505-027 SuperFlow regulator on the Kirby Morgan SuperLite17B Commercial Divers Helmet offers high performance. The commercial diving regulator has been tested at Dive Lab at Panama City Florida. The Kirby Morgan SuperLite17B Commercial Divers Helmet meets all current U.S. Navy and European commercial diving standards.

Specifications: Maximum depth on air 220 FSW (67 MSW) with the old style single exhaust or new Tri-Valve Exhaust. Maximum depth on air - 150 FSW (45.73 MSW) when equipped with the old style double exhaust whisker assembly. Maximum depth on HEO2 Surface Supplied 330 FSW (100 MSW) Work rate - Heavy - 62.5 - 75 l.p.m. RMV. Maximum current - 3 knots with standard exhaust 5 knots with Tri Exhaust Umbilical 38 Maximum length 600 (183 MSW) Breathing Gas Requirements 4.5 a.c.f.m. at the side block at depth.

Temperature Limitations:Use at water temperatures below 33o F (1oC) requires use of hot water shroud (PN 525-100) and hot water.

The Kirby Morgan Hot Water Shroud (Part ,525-100) in conjunction with hot water to the commercial diver should be used whenever commercial diving operations are conducted using HEO2 at water temperatures less than 60 Degrees F (15.56 Degrees C) for the comfort of the commercial diver. Kirby Morgan DSI further recommends that the shroud be used in conjunction with hot water to the commercial diver whenever commercial diving operations are conducted using air or mixed gas in waters colder than 33 Degrees F (2.22 Degrees C) to reduce the possibility of demand regulator icing. Usually the greatest danger of demand regulator icing will be encountered on deck when the surrounding air temperature is less than 32 Degrees F (0 Degrees C). This effect is primarily due to the refrigeration effect of breathing air pressure reduction and the addition of moisture from the commercial divers exhalation coming in contact with the topside air temperature. If diving where the water temperature is 36 Degrees F (2.22 Degrees C) or warmer but the topside air temperature is below freezing (32 Degrees F (0 Degrees C) icing of the demand regulator is possible. To help eliminate the possibility of freezing on the surface warm water should be run over the exterior of the demand regulator prior to water entry if the hot water system is not used. Only commercial diving equipment certified and tested according to EN 250E DIN 58 642 may be used with the Kirby Morgan SuperLite17B Commercial Divers Helmet when conducting commercial diving operations in European EC compliant countries. The umbilical assembly should be composed of good quality diving hose that meets commercial diving industry standards. Generally gas hose will be married to the communications wire pneumofathometer hose and strength member in a manner that will allow the strength member to receive all the strain. Regardless of the system used the umbilical is the commercial diver&rsquos life line and should always be of excellent quality and maintained carefully.