HEED 3 - Traveling

YOU CAN FLY WITH YOUR HEED!

Your Heed must be depressurized and the regulator removed from the cylinder to allow for visual inspection. Follow these steps when packing for your trip.

1. Empty all the air out of the HEED by pressing the Purge Button until no more air is released.
2. Remove regulator from cylinder (regulator is attached hand tight) by turning counter clock-wise. Leave o-ring, washer etc. on the regulator. If the regulator does not unscrew easily DO NOT force it or use tools, instead soak the entire HEED in a 1-1 vinegar and water solution overnight to loosen any salt corrosion. Leave o-ring, washer and exhaust discs on the regulator.
3. Place the HEED in a protective container (plastic bag or box) to keep unit clean and to secure loose parts. We recommend our optional accessory Travel Pack #963. Travel Pack includes a carry bag, dust caps, replacement tank o-rings and silicone grease (available online at ssishoppingcart.com).
4. Pack HEED 3 in your check or carry-on luggage.
5. When you reach your destination reassemble HEED and fill the cylinder. Lightly lubricate the tank o-ring with a small amount of silicone spray or grease – never use a hydrocarbon based oil. DO NOT force regulator onto tank – if you feel resistance, stop, unscrew, and start again. [Note: Consult your Owner's Manual for correct installation order of exhaust discs, tank washer, and o-ring on regulator before attaching the cylinder.
6. Replace tank o-ring after product has been disassembled and reassembled 3 times, or o-ring shows signs of wear or air leakage. Tank o-ring size is 2-016 available online (027 set) or at any dive shop. A full set of replacement discs, tank washer and 0-ring are available as 025 Combo.

Tips from HEED 3 Travelers:

"If you place your HEED in your carry-on bag, have your HEED cylinder and regulator exposed in a separate bin with the cylinder clearly empty with no cover. This way, TSA can quickly visually inspect the empty cylinder. This will prevent delays in the security line. After you have moved through security, cover the cylinder opening, return it to your carry-on bag, and wait until you arrive at your dive destination or home before reattaching the regulator to the cylinder. Don't forget your Owner's Manual to answer all your refilling and assembly questions."

"The HEED Travel Pack is a great accessory providing two caps to protect the treaded end regulator, keep dust out of the cylinder, and comes with a few extra o-rings, too! The regulator cap is great at keeping the exhaust disc’s, washer and o-ring in place."

"Except for personal medical oxygen cylinders, you can only carry an EMPTY compressed gas cylinder onboard a plane. To be permitted (in either carry-on or checked baggage), it must be clearly visible to the TSA officer that the cylinder is empty. Personal oxygen is permitted if the regulatory valve has not been tampered with or removed.

"Unless being used for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder regulator valve must be completely disconnected from the cylinder (in other words, the cylinder has an open end that allows the TSO to visually inspect the cylinder). TSOs will NOT remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder. If the gas cylinder is sealed (the regulator valve is still attached) and not required for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder is prohibited, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator."

Source: https://www.tsa.gov