Azimuth Rebreather Counterlungs

The Azimuth uses a twin counterlung system, but contains it within the shell. This offers the advantages of the popular over the shoulder (OTS) counterlungs used by some other manufacturers, while keeping the clutter around a divers neck to a minimum. Many divers using a Mark-15 or Dreager FGT-1D feel that internal counterlungs, protected from external sources of damage, are an important feature. I happen to agree. So, here are the twin-lungs:

The counterlungs are located at the top of the shell, and connect to their respective breathing hoses at the top and to the scrubber at their bottoms. The exhaust counterlung has a plastic tube running to the adjustable exhaust valve, and also includes an ultimate overpressure relief valve in case the main valve gets clogged. The inhale counterlung has the gas supply line, and a large diameter drain port for cleaning.

As previously shown on the gas supply page, the inlet gas to the breathing counterlung is fed through this standard BC hose connection. With this feature, no tools are needed to remove the counterlungs for cleaning and drying.

The counterlungs remove from the stainless steel scrubber with threaded connectors. Following Draeger's lead, the left-hand connections are color coded red, for "Port". On the Draeger FGT-1D, the right hand hoses are green, for "Starboard". No green is found inside the Azimuth, but the scheme is still nautical in nature.

Here they are, removed (without tools in 2 minutes) for drying and cleaning. Right side is the inhale counterlung, with the gas-addition quick disconnect fitting shown.

The exhaust counterlung has an ultimate overpressure valve installed, so if the main exhaust valve fails, the diver will not suffer an AGE injury. This can be disassembled without tools for drying and cleaning out the interior.

The inhale counterlung has a similar opening, only this side has a blanking plate installed so it's just a drain port. These ports are the industry standard BC fittings, used for overpressure valves and BC feed hoses on other manufacturers wings, so parts for these components are not specific to this design. Bottom line: Lose a part and it's going to be available at your local dive shop.

Like most designs, the interior of the counterlungs contain anti-collapse springs, in this case made of a non-corrosive plastic. These keep an open gas pathway through an otherwise collapsed counterlung.

That's all, folks! The material of the counterlungs is the same as any other BC bladder, meaning that it can be field-repaired by patching, and that replacement bladders are cheap. This is a well thought out system.

Return to Main Azimuth Teardown page

		The counterlungs are located at the top of the shell, and connect to their respective breathing hoses at the top and to the scrubber at their bottoms. The exhaust counterlung has a plastic tube running to the adjustable exhaust valve, and also includes an ultimate overpressure relief valve in case the main valve gets clogged. The inhale counterlung has the gas supply line, and a large diameter drain port for cleaning.
		As previously shown on the gas supply page, the inlet gas to the breathing counterlung is fed through this standard BC hose connection. With this feature, no tools are needed to remove the counterlungs for cleaning and drying.
		The counterlungs remove from the stainless steel scrubber with threaded connectors. Following Draeger's lead, the left-hand connections are color coded red, for "Port". On the Draeger FGT-1D, the right hand hoses are green, for "Starboard". No green is found inside the Azimuth, but the scheme is still nautical in nature.
		Here they are, removed (without tools in 2 minutes) for drying and cleaning. Right side is the inhale counterlung, with the gas-addition quick disconnect fitting shown.
		The exhaust counterlung has an ultimate overpressure valve installed, so if the main exhaust valve fails, the diver will not suffer an AGE injury. This can be disassembled without tools for drying and cleaning out the interior.
		The inhale counterlung has a similar opening, only this side has a blanking plate installed so it's just a drain port. These ports are the industry standard BC fittings, used for overpressure valves and BC feed hoses on other manufacturers wings, so parts for these components are not specific to this design. Bottom line: Lose a part and it's going to be available at your local dive shop.
		Like most designs, the interior of the counterlungs contain anti-collapse springs, in this case made of a non-corrosive plastic. These keep an open gas pathway through an otherwise collapsed counterlung.