Converting to Mares BOV

Converting the Paragon BOV to a Mares
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Most KISS divers will agree that the Paragon is not the best regulator in the world to be your bailout regulator. It is made in Taiwan and is just about impossible to obtain through anyone other than Jetsam, it does not perform very, I did not find it particularly easy to work on for repairs, it was unreliable and it was prone to leaking because the valve seats were easily damaged. Jetsam changed to the Mares Proton for their new model BOV, it is small, it looks well made, Mares have a good support network and after more than year of diving without a BOV I now have a functioning bailout regulator so I am happy.

What you will need for this: a Mares Proton second stage, only either the basic Proton or the Proton octopus will definitely work with the adaptor, there are a few other Proton models but not all will actually fit; an adaptor from Jetsam, about $80 and comes with o-rings, new screws and new retaining plate; a hacksaw and basic KISS handtools.

First remove the mouthpiece from the Mares Proton. Keep it as a spare. Note the raised rim around the stub where the cable tie tightened around.

Cut off the raised rim around the stub.

Try to get it a bit straighter than I did! Once you've chopped the rim off then file off any ragged bits of plastic: you don't want these falling into the DSV and getting stuck under one of the flapper valves. Finally, give it a rinse to get rid of any plastic dust. I don't really want to be inhaling it.

Get hold of your adaptor from Jetsam. Remove the screws and put them somewhere safe. The old screws which fit the Paragon will not fit the new adaptor plate as it is much thicker. Take the o-ring out of the groove around the opening.

Fit the o-ring over the stub on the Proton. If you have had the adaptor a while then give the o-ring a bit of grease (if you've just got it from Jetsam then it won't need it).

Take your old DSV, remove the stainless steel retaining plate on the Paragon. Best to throw it, if you think about refitting your Paragon then you are mental. In fact, throw the Paragon while you are at it. Then remove the two countersunk screws at the bottom which hold the Paragon adaptor in place. Throw these as they are now useless as well.

Give the slector lever a quarter turn, this should free up the old adaptor and make it pop out.

Remove the old adaptor and throw it.

Fit the new adaptor from Jetsam. Again, if it has been sitting around a while then lightly grease the o-ring. Fit it so that the bevelled edge and the countersunk screw holes are at the bottom. If you find that the adaptor is out of line then partly push the Proton stub into the hole and use this to turn the adaptor until the holes line up. Fix it in place with the two countersunk screws.

Insert the stub of the Proton 2nd stage into the hole in the adaptor. Make sure the o-ring is in place! Fit the new retaining plate over the Proton and screw in place.

Attach the hose. That's it, you now have a working BOV again.

	First remove the mouthpiece from the Mares Proton. Keep it as a spare. Note the raised rim around the stub where the cable tie tightened around.
	Cut off the raised rim around the stub.
	Try to get it a bit straighter than I did! Once you've chopped the rim off then file off any ragged bits of plastic: you don't want these falling into the DSV and getting stuck under one of the flapper valves. Finally, give it a rinse to get rid of any plastic dust. I don't really want to be inhaling it.
	Get hold of your adaptor from Jetsam. Remove the screws and put them somewhere safe. The old screws which fit the Paragon will not fit the new adaptor plate as it is much thicker. Take the o-ring out of the groove around the opening.
	Fit the o-ring over the stub on the Proton. If you have had the adaptor a while then give the o-ring a bit of grease (if you've just got it from Jetsam then it won't need it).
	Take your old DSV, remove the stainless steel retaining plate on the Paragon. Best to throw it, if you think about refitting your Paragon then you are mental. In fact, throw the Paragon while you are at it. Then remove the two countersunk screws at the bottom which hold the Paragon adaptor in place. Throw these as they are now useless as well.
	Give the slector lever a quarter turn, this should free up the old adaptor and make it pop out.
	Remove the old adaptor and throw it.
	Fit the new adaptor from Jetsam. Again, if it has been sitting around a while then lightly grease the o-ring. Fit it so that the bevelled edge and the countersunk screw holes are at the bottom. If you find that the adaptor is out of line then partly push the Proton stub into the hole and use this to turn the adaptor until the holes line up. Fix it in place with the two countersunk screws.
	Insert the stub of the Proton 2nd stage into the hole in the adaptor. Make sure the o-ring is in place! Fit the new retaining plate over the Proton and screw in place.
	Attach the hose. That's it, you now have a working BOV again.