| Frequently Asked Questions | General Questions |
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What
is the advantage of Direct Drive surface supplied air unit?
In compressor
design, simple is better. The Brownie's Third Lung™
Direct Drive units don't have belts and pulleys. Fewer components
mean even fewer maintenance concerns. More importantly, the
Direct Drive compressor can handle high RPM's and produce
more air. Our older compressors had to be stepped down by
way of a pulley, as they handled only half the rpm's that
the engine generated. The result is a unit that can provide
an extended operating depth for multiple divers.
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The
Brownies 280 and 390 look a lot alike. What are the differences?
The 280
and 390 Direct Drive Third Lungs™ use different compressors
and/or engines and have differing number of diver set ups.
The 280 is a single piston system on a 4.0 hp Honda that can
support 2 divers from 70-80 feet or 3 divers to 45 feet (with
an Add-A-Diver kit). Its main advantage is that it's only
48 pounds-- about the same weight as a single tank SCUBA rig.
If the divers must carry a system over a great distance to
get to their entry point, the 280 would be very attractive.The
advantage of the 4 hp engine is that it is actually quieter
and works less hard, resulting in less engine maintenance
and repair. Overhaul is anticipated from 500 to 800 hours
of operation. The 280 is a good choice for an active recreational
diver.
The more
active hookah diver would be well advised to select the 5.5
hp Honda offered with the 390. The 390 is a double piston
system set up for 3 diver to 90 feet and produces enough air
for 4 divers to 60 feet. The 390 only weighs 55 pounds and
is the workhorse of the Brownies' line. It is the perfect
selection for the diver looking to get the highest possible
performance from a hookah system.
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Hookah
diving looks like snorkeling. Do I need to be trained?
True,
Brownie™ diving is almost as easy as snorkeling. The
freedom of swimming unencumbered by SCUBA tanks will certainly
remind you of snorkeling or free diving. Still, whenever you
breathe compressed air while under water, you are operating
under a different set of rules. Training is required for everyone
who uses the Brownie™ unit. Brownie's™ now includes
FREE online hookah training with the purchase of any floating,
electric or battery powered hookah system. Click
here for more information.
There
are other options for training including a traditional open
water SCUBA certification course or a Recreational Hookah
Diver course . The latter course was specifically designed
for Recreational Surface Supplied Air Diving through the joint
efforts of both Brownie's Third Lung™ and the National
Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI).
Courses involve about 30 contact hours and can be completed
in as few as 5 days depending on available scheduling time
for both instructor and students. With proper training and
proper maintenance of equipment, hookah diving can be extremely
safe. Brownie's Third Lung™ has been accident free since
it's inception in 1969. Rodale's
Scuba Diving Magazine sponsors a section on their website
filled with "Lessons
for Life.". This Training & Safety page details
incidents that could have been avoided with proper training.
If you are in doubt as to whether you should dive without
training, please take a look at this site. Your safety is
very important to us.
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What
about diving wrecks or in kelp?
Obviously,
your use of a Third Lung™ to dive in overhead environments
will be limited. Only slight penetrations are possible, and
they should never be attempted without a back up air source.
If you have evaluated a dive site and have been able to determine
that a Third Lung™ is appropriate, you can add additional
hose lengths to increase your linear penetration range. Always
be aware that hookah diving follows different rules than SCUBA;
make certain that your air hose is free from potential entanglement
or damage.
The Third
Lung's™ advantage is that it is easy to find your way
back out. Just pick up your hose as you exit from the overhead
environment. If you use your Third Lung™ in an overhead
environment, you should always carry an alternative air source,
such as the Brownie's™ Egressor™ System. Some
situations would also lend themselves to placing a safety
SCUBA rig in reserve, a common practice in any overhead diving
scenario.
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Is
it hard to pull a Third Lung™ along the surface
while diving?
You might
be surprised, but there is less water resistance in towing
a Third Lung™ than in swimming with a full set of SCUBA
gear. Considering that most Brownie™ dives are shared
between two or three people, swimming with a Third Lung™
is very easy. Conditions can increase the drag; windy days
may make towing more noticeable. Many people simply drift
dive on days when the wind is a bit strong, allowing the surface
unit to gently tow them along through a dive.
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Will
a Third Lung™ flip over?
The Brownie's
Third Lung™ rides well on waves and is even built to
take a splash. If conditions are suitable for safe recreational
diving, the Brownie's Third Lung™ will handle the waves.
Breaking waves near shore, however, are a different concern.
A breaking wave in the surf zone or a large wake from a boat
could potencially flip the unit, so the user must seek safe
operating areas as part of their pre-dive checklist.
If you
are diving from shore, a hands-on transfer through the surf
is essential. If you are diving from a boat, take special
care in placing the Brownie™ over the boat's transom
and into the water. Lowering the unit straight into the water
ensures a safe launch. When in doubt, consult the owner's
manual for proper launching procedures.
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What
happens if the engine stops?
The
dive is over.
Seriously,
should the compressor develop problems during a dive, the
diver might first be alerted of the air disruption when he
or she no longer hears the gentle tapping created while the
compressor is running. The tapping channels down the hose
to the diver. If the divers do not notice the cessation of
tapping, breathing becomes restrictive at first, followed
by an out of air situation. In either case, the diver must
begin an immediate slow ascent to the surface. While free
ascents from shallow depths are relatively easy, they are
not without risk. Too fast an ascent can result in an pressure
injury to a lung. Our recommendation is to have a back up
Egressor™ System for each diver. The Egressor™
is hardly noticeable and rides in a handy sleeve in the small
of the back. It provides a very small back-up SCUBA reserve
for emergency situations and well as a quick response to items
dropped over-board, verifying anchor location, hull inspection,
prop clearing, pool mainenance, and much more!
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How
long are the hoses?
Brownie's™
hoses run off of the compressor unit in stages. First, a 10-foot
heat hose cools the air as it leaves the compressor. A 60-foot
common hose connects to the heat hose, leading to a split
that supplies the 20-foot diver's hoses. This system allows
the divers to swim apart but keeps them within 40 feet of
each other. All hoses use sturdy, reliable Quick Release Swivels™
(QRS) that reduce air interruptions caused by hose kinks.
The hoses may all be attached to each other in line, allowing
a single continuous hose length of 100 to 140 feet.
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Why
do you use a common 60-foot hose and then give each diver a
20-foot hose? Why not give each diver an 80-foot hose instead?
If that
is the way the customer wants it, that's the way the customer
gets it. No arguements, no additional cost. But there is a
method to our madness. Not only do our customers prefer a
single common hose leading off of the compressor, there's
a solid performance reason behind the design. More hose does
not create better performance. More hose equals more resistance
(or work for the compressor), more buoyancy (more lead is
required for the divers to wear), more hose management (just
a distraction that gets in the way of your fun) and more weight
to lug around. Another key point is that the divers stay within
40 feet of each other. We think that it is a lot safer than
being able to separate by more than 100 feet.
The single
shared hose eliminates these problems. While others might
tell you that separate hoses provide better breathing, be
wary. We still dive the common hose without ever noticing
increased breathing resistance, and we are happier that we
have eliminated the hassles that additional hoses create.
Here at Brownie's Third Lung™, we can configure the
hose on your personal diving system any way you want it--
but we'd suggest that you try the single common hose before
modifying your Third Lung™ to use multiple hoses from
the compressor.
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Why
do you say that divers can descend "from 45 to 90 feet"?
Why the range?
Because
different people breathe differently. It would be misleading
to state that a system "truly" or "without
a doubt" supports a certain number of divers to a definite
depth. While we could quote one "best depth" rating,
in the real world people breathe at different rates. The mechanics
of determining maximum depth are not complicated: the deeper
you dive, the less air you get from the compressor. That's
why we use ranges. We want you to know before you buy.
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Why
can't I use a surface reserve tank attached to the Brownie's
Third Lung™ for emergencies? Do I really need an Egressor™
System?
While
we make bottles that attach to a Third Lung™, they are
not reserve tanks. Instead, they are accumulators designed
for commercial application. A reserve tank is a back up air
source, while an accumulator simply allows the diver to work
a bit harder at times. Sometimes, with exertion, the diver
can over-breathe the compressor's capability to produce air.
The accumulator allows the diver a little extra air for short
bursts.
The Egressor™
System, or some other pony bottle/SCUBA backup, is the safest
insurance against an out-of-air emergency. The Egressor™
System's Drop Weight Cummerbelt™ fits comfortably around
your waist and and provides you with both a weighting system
and an emergency air source. The Egressor™ System is
the best possible backup for your family during their hookah
dives.
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Why
don't I see more Brownie's Third Lungs™ around?
Most
likely because you don't dive in South Florida or the Caribbean.
Here, in our backyard, the Brownie's Third Lung™ is
commonplace. You'll see them in use by recreational boaters
and on live-aboard yachts. Some of the best lobster hunters
in the Caribbean swear by their Third Lungs™. On the
west coast, recreational surface supplied air diving is relatively
new, but taking off. |
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I
heard that because you are not actually SCUBA diving, you don't
have to worry about time limits or decompression sickness. Is
this true?
Unfortunately
you were not informed accurately. It is true that hookah diving
does allow you to dive for hours on a single tank of gas and
alleviates the need for filling tanks between dives, but you
must always follow your dive tables when planning your dive.
Hookah
systems produce compressed air on the surface and pump it
down to the divers. With SCUBA tanks, the air is compressed
on the surface while the tank is being filled. Regardless
of where or when the air is compressed, it is still compressed air and it is still being breathed
at depth. Therefore it is important to know the same risks
and gas laws that apply to SCUBA diving also apply to hookah
diving. Only certified divers that follow decompression tables
and understand the risks involved should be doing any kind
of diving. If you are not certified or are unclear about some
aspects of diving please contact your local dive store and
sign up for an open water SCUBA class or a refresher course.
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What
makes a Brownie's Third Lung™ better than other hookah systems?
BETTER
PRODUCT + HIGHER QUALITY + LOWEST PRICE POSSIBLE =BEST
VALUE!!
Brownie's
Third Lung™ has been in business and manufacturing hookah systems for
over 35 years. Our attention to detail, the top quality materials
used, workmanship, and technology advances are only a few
of the reasons that Brownie's™ has become the leader in the industry. Often times our competitors
try and slash our good name or our product by making false
statements. The truth of the matter is that the superiority
of Brownie's Third Lung™ really speaks for itself. Please take a look at the exclusive
features page to get a glimpse of the many components
that make a Brownie's Third Lung™ stand out from the others.
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Frequently
Asked Questions | Operational Questions |
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Why
doesn't the Brownie's Third Lung™ have an intake filter?
The
intake filters that are supplied by the compressor manufacturer
are plastic housings with only a piece of felt as the filtering
media. They only filter dust, not carbon monoxide, water or
carbon dioxide. They do not provide an additional safety margin
or relevant benefit for either the diver or the machine while
at sea. Also, the intake holes point directly up, where rain
and water spray may easily enter. This position allows the
felt to become wet or damp and may lead to interior damage
to the compressor. The felt filters may also mildew if not
changed, posing a potential health risk to the diver.
We take
the felt filter housings completely off. We eliminate the
dust catcher in favor of a cap that keeps rain and seawater
from entering the compressor's air intake while reducing air
intake restriction to a true minimum. The results show with
our unmatched performance.
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How
do you keep the exhaust fumes out of the engine?
Air
is taken in high through the remote intake "snorkel/intake
staff" The exhaust is low and exits the engine in the opposite
direction being towed. The engine fan, designed to cool the
block, further creates an air buffer between the exhaust and
the intake.
Brownie's™
compressors are tested and meet the same grade air (E) required
for scuba. Brownie's Third Lung™ furthers the detail
by adding a DRY snorkel cap to the remote intake.
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How
much maintenance is required on a Third Lung?
Everything
you need comes with the Care Kit. While the system is running,
hose the unit and hoses, etc. down with fresh water, following
owner manual instructions. Attach the air gun to the heat
hose and dry the Brownie™ quickly and easily. Next,
use Corrosion X to
lightly spray the engine (not the compressor). When everything
has dried, store your unit in a cool dry place. You may put
Stabil in the fuel tank for short-term storage, but for long-term
storage you must drain the gas out of the tank as well as
the carburetor. The regulators should be serviced yearly by
any full service dive shop. Follow the Honda owner's manual
for maintenance requirements for the engine.
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I've
heard that only a few compressors are designed for diving and
that most are for construction purposes. Is your compressor
designed for construction or diving?
Actually,
neither statement is true. The manufacturers of oil-less compressors
do not have a specific design for diving or for construction.
How the oil-less compressor is utilized varies, just like
any other light engine. For instance, a gasoline engine might
be used to run a lawn mower, a go-cart, or in our case a Surface
Supplied Air diving system. It's still the same engine. The
same is true of the oil-less compressor. It has a myriad of
uses. Please don't be misled. None of the manufacturers of
oil-less compressors used in the recreational dive industry
certify these compressors as air breathing or for diving.
Brownie's™
adapts its oil-less compressors to withstand the harsh marine
environment as well as to provide the same quality air as
required for SCUBA (Compressed Gas Association Grade E). Don't
believe claims that one oil-less compressor is a diving compressor
while another is not. Ask for printed test results. It either
meets the criteria for air quality or it doesn't.
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Why
do you use plastic swivel fittings instead of metal fittings?
Won't these break?
The metal
fitting's swivel capabilities are limited at best. We used
them for years until we developed the plastic Quick Release
Swivel™ fittings. These QRS fittings are sturdy, will
not accidentally disconnect and reduce kinks with their swivel
action, even under pressure. The plastic fittings have several
additional benefits over metal fittings. Metal fittings will
oxidize quickly in the marine environment. Brownie's Third
Lung™ QRS fittings will provide years of trouble-free
use. While it is possible to break a QRS fitting, they are
inexpensive and can be replaced easily with a wrench. Metal
fittings can bend, making it impossible to fix yourself, especially
if out at sea.
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Can
the cases on your Third Lungs stand up to the temperatures,
UV exposure, and possible rough treatment that one might expect
on a boat?
The
Brownie's Third Lung™ cases are manufactured of High
Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and will provide a lifetime of
protection to your unit. The fact is, we've been using these
cases for years. We haven't had to replace a single case due
to cracking, U/V deterioration or melting. We stand on our
successful record of real-world use.
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I'm
concerned about room on my boat. How much space and weight does
a Third Lung take up when stored?
All of
our Third Lung™ units take up much less than the equivalent
weight and space required for two SCUBA divers planning two
dives. The storage case is 24"L x 18"D x 20"H
and a gear bag is 31"L x 14" diameter. The 280 weighs
only 48 pounds, and the 390 weighs only 58 pounds. With such
compact dimensions, your Brownie's Third Lung™ can easily
stow on any size boat.
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Does the "divers-down flag"
follow all the legal specifications?
Brownie's
Third Lung™ follows all of the legal specifications
for "divers-down flags" as required by the Florida
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement.
1. The
flag must be square or rectangular. If rectangular, the length
must not be less than the height, or more than 25 percent
longer than the height. The flag must have a wire or other
stiffener to hold it fully unfurled and extended in the absence
of a wind or breeze.
2. The
flag must be red with a white diagonal stripe that begins
at the top staff-side of the flag and extends diagonally to
the lower opposite corner. The width of the stripe must be
25 percent of the height of the flag.
3. The
minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy
or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. The
minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel
or structure is 20 inches by 24 inches.
4. Any
divers-down flag displayed from a vessel must be displayed
from the highest point of the vessel or such other location
which provides that the visibility of the divers-down flag
is not obstructed in any direction.
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