Submarine Appliances And Their Uses
Deep Sea Diving, &c., &c.

forces his hand through the cuff (cuff expanders are also provided for this operation). A little soft soap rubbed on the inside of the cuff makes this operation easy. If re- quired, he puts on a pair of outside stockings and a canvas overall, to preserve the dress from injury or undue chafing. The diver then sits down, the inner collar (or bib) of the dress is drawn well up and tied round the neck; then the boots and the breast-plate are put on, great care being taken that the indiarubber outer collar of the dress is not torn in putting it over the projecting studs of the breast-plate. The four jointing straps (in the case of the 12- bolt helmet) of the breast-plate band are then put over the studs and down on to the rubber collar, the thumb-screws are then run into the studs ; before tightening up the screws the shoulder holes of the collar of the dress must be borne close up to the studs on the breast-plate, and the thumb-screws next on each side of that joint screwed down first, the diver holding his arms well up to assist; the thumbscrews at the joints are the last to be screwed down ; the overall dress is then adjusted, the wrist rings are put over the cuffs ; if gloves are used, rings are put over these, as well as the cuffs. Putting on the Boots.—The boots are put on with the buckles outwards and the lanyards well secured round the ankles. 1 he helmet (without the front glass) is then put on, and screwed hard into place, the stop (lock-pin) at the back being turned down. The breast-rope and air pipe are brought up under the right and left arms respectively, and secured to the front of the corselet by lanyards, rolling hitches being employed. I he lizard on the breast-rope is passed round the waist and timber-hitched se- curely. If a knife and belt are worn, the latter must be secured to the air pipe by the buckle provided. The pump is now manned and hove round a turn or two, so that the diver can tell that the pipe is properly joined up by hearing the rush of air into the helmet. He then gets on the ladder, the attendant keeping the breast-rope and air pipe in hand, lest the diver should slip and fall overboard. Putting on the Weights.—The weights are then put on, the back one first, the lanyards being brought over the hooks on the helmet, rove through the rings in the front weight, and secured with a bow hitch. The long lanyard is then brought round the waist, rove through the thimble in the front weight, and secured at the left side. If using the clips, the front weight is put on first, the clip being placed over the studs on the breast-plate ; the back weight is then put on, the clip lashings over the hooks on the helmet, the two being secured to the diver’s body by the lanyard round the waist. 38