DESCO Air Hat

Product Features

DESCO Air Hat Diving Helmet

The DESCO Air Hat was designed in 1968, and has continually evolved to meet the requirements of the commercial diving industry. The design of the Air Hat maximizes safety, durability, and reliability, while requiring simple routine maintenance and care.

The DESCO Air Hat conforms to all current regulations of the ADC Consensus Standards, and U.S. Federal Regulations administered by OSHA and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The DESCO Air Hat is a "free flow" helmet of contemporary design, using time proven techniques and materials in its construction, similar to the heavy gear helmets of the past. Brass castings are deep soldered to a 1/16" thick spun copper shell. The Air Hat is remarkable both for its ruggedness and its simplicity of design. It can easily be donned or removed by the diver without assistance from the tender. Using the adjustable exhaust valve the Air Hat can be adjusted to either side of neutral buoyancy underwater with ease. With its low center of gravity and excellent fore and aft balance it rest comfortably on the divers head. The interior headliner is adjustable for size and the foam pads are covered in leather for comfort.

Second Generation DESCO Air Hat Diving Helmet

In 2024 a customer in Europe informed DESCO a new rule was coming into force in the European Union requiring diving helmets to have a control on the helmet for the emergency air supply. To meet this requirement the air control system on the Air Hat was redesigned. A side block configuration similar to the demand helmets was created. The primary air supply enters the top port through a standard DESCO non-return valve and into the helmet by the air valve. The air diffuser inside the helmet is larger and uses a reticulated foam filter/muffler media, replacing the lambswool used in first gemeration Air Hats. The lower port is equipped with a Hoke valve to control the EGS supply. The primary and EGS circuits are independent and have their own entry into the helmet through the diffuser. 

Removing the air train from inside the helmet and making the diffuser with more outlets has reduced the air noise inside the helmet. Also the interior of the helmet is less cluttered and there is more space to place a dosemeter inside when working in a nuclear power station. 

NOTE: The method used to mount the side block to the helmet is fundamentally different from the first gen helmet so the side block cannot be retrofitted to older helmets. 

The DESCO Air Hat is the preferred helmet for working in hazardous environments where contamination of the diver is a concern. The "free flow" or "overpressure" design allows for a constant positive pressure to be maintained in the Air Hat. The standard double exhaust incorporates two separate successive seals to restrict the possibility of leak back.

The DESCO Air Hat comes standard with a neck dam for sealing at the neck. Leading dry suit manufacturers offer a DESCO yoke to directly mate the helmet to the dress in place of the neck dam. Installation of the insert ring to the dry suit is quick and easy, and does not require tools. Sealing of the Air Hat at the neck is achieved with two independent but complementary seals which are watertight. The Air Hat is shipped with the neck ring insert, a size 15 neck dam (unless another size is requested at time of ordering), and a adjustable jock strap.

The DESCO Air Hat comes equipped with a side communications cup with integrated binding posts. The location places the transceiver out of the airflow path and closer to the divers ear. The standard configuration is two wire communications through the binding posts. The Air Hat can also be fitted to use 4 wire communications (assembly #61228) from the factory or the customer can install it later in the port provided. 

Standard Features of the DESCO Air Hat

• Adjustable double exhaust valve
• Two video/light blocks
• Communications housing fitted with two binding posts, with a four wire communication plug connection option
• Two wire communications mike/speaker with binding posts
• Tin plated finish
• Brass parts have high polish finish
• Size 15 neck dam (other sizes can be substituted by request)
• Adjustable safety jock strap

Optional Features for the DESCO Air Hat

• Painted finish (standard safety colors)
• Four-wire Marsh Marine type communications plug assembly
• Welding Shield

Safety Notice - CAUTION - DIVING IN COLD WATER CONDITIONS.

Any air (pneumatic) system given the right combination of temperature and/or airflow has a propensity to freeze up. It is prudent therefore to check for moisture regularly and install a secondary in-line dryer system if necessary. If moisture freeze up problems persist contact your compressor dealer for recommendations to suit your particular need.