Kirby Morgan KM 97 Commercial Diving Helmet w/ Posts

SKU

500-700

The Kirby Morgan KM 97 Dive Helmet with Posts is the newest of all Kirby Morgan dive helmets. The All-New 455 Balanced Regulator sets the KM 97 apart from all other models.

Restrictions / Notifications

Reseller Restriction
Due to vendor restrictions, this item cannot be sold to a reseller. If you are a reseller, please call us at 760-208-6500 or email sales@amronintl.com for more details.

Skip to the end of the images gallery

Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Specs

More Information
	Maintenance and Repair Bulletin #8 November 8, 2025 Recommended attention is advised for all 455 Balanced Regulators. Whether not in service or actively used in dive operations, all 455 regulators should be inspected. However, a new 455 from the factory that has NOT been disassembled does not need to be inspected. Features All-New 455 Balanced Regulator in stainless steel offers virtually the same superior breathing performance as the REX® regulator, with a lower profile, creating an overall outstanding performance. Rugged helmet shell that is easy to maintain - no refinishing required if the surface is scratched or gouged. Elimination of threaded inserts for securing the port retainer to the helmet shell. Elimination of shell mounted weights. Removable grip and handle (handle can be removed without breaking seals, making it quick and easy to attach accessories). “Built in” emergency valve that is an integral part of the stainless steel sideblock. Quad valve exhaust system. Quick change modular communications. Specifications CE certified Weight: 31.09 lbs. Helmet Shell: Stainless steel Control Knobs: Polyurethane Face Port/Lens: Scratch resistant polycarbonate Neck Dam: Neoprene (optional latex neck dam available) O-Rings: Buna-N Head Cushion: Nylon bag filled with #4 polyester foam Recommended Lubricants: All helmets and masks are lubricated at the factory with Christo-Lube®. Kirby Morgan recommends Christo-Lube® or Tribolube® for all gas train components. Dow Corning® 111 silicone or equivalent may be used for helmet and mask components that are used with gas mixtures containing less than 50% oxygen. Regulator: The 455 balanced regulator on the KM 97 offers high performance. The regulator has been tested at Dive Lab at Panama City, Florida. It meets or exceeds all current U.S. Navy and European diving standards. Cage Code: The cage code for identifying KMDSI products for U.S. government purposes is 58366. CR Standards: This helmet meets or exceeds all standards established by Dive Lab of Panama City, Florida, and are CR (Commercially Rated) marked. CE Approved: The KM 97 helmet is CE Approved. Kirby Morgan 97 Commercial Diving Helmet with Posts - P/N: 500-700 Includes (1) 455 Regulator Tool Kit with Pouch - P/N: 525-630 (1) Anode Kit - P/N: 525-375 (1) Logbook with Pen - P/N: 120-001 (1) Helmet/Mask Bag - P/N: 500-901 Manuals and BlowAparts for KM 97: Manuals and BlowAparts Bulletins by Product: Bulletins Notes The minimum operating temperature recommended for this helmet is 37 degrees F, only in regard to regulator performance. At the time of this writing, no hot water shroud is available for this helmet for heating the diver’s breathing gas. Without a hot water shroud, the diver may be subject to hypothermia due to cold gas inspiration temperatures. Kirby Morgan makes no physiological recommendations regarding minimum safe operating temperatures for divers using this helmet. Usually, the greatest danger of demand regulator icing will be encountered on deck when the surrounding air temperature is less than 32°F (0°C). This effect is primarily due to the refrigeration effect of breathing air pressure reduction, and the addition of moisture from the diver's exhalation coming in contact with the topside air temperature. Recommended overbottom (OB) gas supply pressure for best performance at depths are calculated by the formula (fsw x 0.445+14.7) + recommended p.s.i. g. Images of Kirby Morgan Helmets, Masks, or logos are registered trademarks of Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. Used with permission.

Information

The Kirby Morgan KM 97 Dive Helmet with Posts is the newest of all Kirby Morgan dive helmets. The All-New 455 Balanced Regulator sets the KM 97 apart from all other models. The 455 balanced regulator is all stainless steel and offers virtually the same superior breathing performance as the REX® regulator, with a lower profile. The overall outstanding performance of the 455 regulator sets a new standard for commercial diving helmets and BandMasks®.

The Kirby Morgan® 97 helmet has been tested and conforms to the performance requirements as set forth in Annex II of Directive 89/686/EEC and, as far as applicable, the EN 250:2000, EN 250/A1:2006 and EN 15333-1:2008 (class B). It is fully CE marked with the balanced 455 demand regulator and oral nasal mask P/N 510-747.

The KM 97 has all the advancements & features found in our other stainless steel models: rugged helmet shell that is easy to maintain - no refinishing required if the surface is scratched or gouged, elimination of threaded inserts for securing the port retainer to the helmet shell, elimination of shell mounted weights, removable grip and handle (handle can be removed without breaking seals, making it quick and easy to attach accessories), and a “built in” emergency valve that is an integral part of the stainless steel sideblock.

The Quad Valve Exhaust System and quick change modular communications are also standard on the KM 97. These and many other KM 97 parts are shared with other models. If you keep a Kirby Morgan® helmet spare parts inventory, you’re already stocked with many KM 97 spares.

Resources

FAQ's

Does Kirby Morgan sell a hot water shroud kit for any of the stainless steel helmets?

Unfortunately, Kirby Morgan does not have a Hot Water Shroud Kit available for any of the stainless steel helmets at this time.

Why is my stainless steel helmet rusting?

Kirby Morgan would like to assure all stainless steel helmet owners, that the helmet shells are not actually rusting. All of these helmet shells and other main components, are cast and machined from a highly corrosion resistant grade of 316L stainless steel. The investment casting process can produce a very good finish, but this still requires more processing to be acceptable. Each helmet shell is initially hand finished, then, it is processed to a very smooth surface using specialized friction finishing equipment. Even after all this processing, these smooth surfaces will still have small surface porosity that can trap foreign matter, some of which can “rust”. This is what will make the surfaces appear to be rusting. This foreign matter that may be trapped, needs to be cleaned away, and the surfaces need to be protected. Basic cleaning and protection should be performed on a regular basis, and may need to be performed more often depending on what type of environment the helmets are used in.

NOTE: This “rusting” issue can also be seen on Fiberglass helmet shells and chrome plated brass parts. It is what is stuck to those surfaces that is “rusting”. Not the fiberglass or chrome.

Cleaning Procedures for the Stainless Steel Helmet

Thoroughly clean the components with a cleaning soap such as Simple Green. A soft scrubbing tool can help to remove excess materials. Dry the components and wipe completely with Isopropyl alcohol and allow to evaporate. Using a kitchen sponge with an abrasive side. Wet and apply hand soap that contains a slight abrasive (LAVA hand soap works very well, or Go-Jo Pumice, citric hand soap), and simply rub onto the affected area of the helmet shell. The unwanted stains will easily be removed.

NEVER USE STEEL WOOL TO PERFORM THIS TASK. It will deeply imbed iron particles into the stainless and may cause severe rusting to the component.

Citric acid or diluted vinegar can be used to passivate stainless steel and remove any light rust. A lemon half works well as a scrubbing tool, and at the same time provides the citric acid to help eliminate small surface particles of rust. Allow enough liquid to deposit on all affected surfaces and allow it to settle for at least 30 minutes. Rinse and re-apply as needed. Rinse again and finish wipe with the Isopropyl alcohol, allow drying completely.

Apply at least 2 coats of a good quality paste wax. This will help seal surface porosity to prevent foreign matter from being trapped, which may then rust.

It is best to clean as much of the helmet surfaces as possible, rather than cleaning only affected areas, as this will help prevent any future issues. A basic cleaning and waxing procedure should be performed as part of a routine cleaning regiment.

Kirby Morgan suggests the use of lemon juice/lemons, or vinegar for the source of acid. These types of acid will help dissolve certain stains, rust and certain residue buildup such as hard water and mineral deposits. Because they are natural and non-toxic, Kirby Morgan highly recommends them for this procedure.

NOTE: All new stainless helmet shells are electrochemical cleaned (electro polished) and friction polished to a very smooth exterior surface finish. If so desired, the surface can be brought to a higher luster using basic polishing techniques, (i.e. polishing compounds and light buffing techniques).