FFM

[Rupert Bear]

You can easily change over the surface AGA sets by changing a few parts. The lens and a few bits inside the reg plus the nose block needs to be added. This is how I got mine and just bought the necessary bits from Divex. The whole thing including buying the set and parts came to around £135.
You have the choice when you build it up to make it Positive pressure or demand (I chose demand) and it takes around 15mins. The mask is then identical to the ones you buy except for the LP hose which has no swivel on it (not a real problem)
I got rid of mine after a dozen dives or so though, didn't think it was any advantage over a half mask apart from being a bit warmer and the disadvantages were too much hassle.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Andy the Commie 2 @ Oct. 14 2003,12:04)]...... and saves on a stupid switching block.



Andy

Andy,

Oh, the pain, the pain. That cut right to the quick, sob, will I ever recover from .....

Actually, the  method you use is one I have been considering for a while as I am planning on doing the trimix course this year and would need 3 gases with only a two way switch block. The switch block is clipped to my wing in the hip area. It does result in a bit of a "hose fest" but I have kind of got it under control now.

Do you find that clipping/un clipping hoses to your reg under water causes a lot of crud build up inside the reg where sea water gets in to the reg from the "wrong side"?

[Dominic]

Where do you get the QRs to allow for inter-changeable hoses..?

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ Oct. 14 2003,13:30)]Where do you get the QRs to allow for inter-changeable hoses..?

Dom,

At the LDS. I am not sure of the supplier - it maybe Sea & Sea who are now UK importers for Ocean Reef stuff. There did not seem to be any problem getting the stuff so I did not pay much attention abt where it came form.

I am just off to the LDS to get a replacement part for a broken bit of my FFM - I will ask and let you know.

Rgds
Bryan

[Mdemon]

Just picked up one of these...


Any thoughts on converting it to underwater use?

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Mdemon @ Oct. 14 2003,21:49)]Just picked up one of these...

Any thoughts on converting it to underwater use?

When I got my first FFM I chose the option of using my own reg with an adaptor. Unfortunately the reg never stopped free flowing. I then bought a Scubapro G500 (?) reg with a flow adjuster but this too kept free flowing. In the end I bought the recommended reg and the problem is sorted.

Apart from chosing the right reg and trying it in the pool first it is difficult to offer any comments without actually seeing it.

One other thing is that you must have a method of getting it off quickly in case of needing to bail out.

And another thing - any bits on it that will not be happy in sea water?

The force must be strong in you, Darth Vader look alike.

[Mdemon]

You should see the other one I was looking at...



Reminds me of the Abyss in a funny sort of way.

Where do you get adapters from, or do you DIY them?  ATX 50 or 40 so a little bit of adjustment is possible on the regs.

Getting them off quick hadn't occurred to me - normal respirators are quite easy  though - I can improvise a quick release if required.  Does the air vent back through the reg or is there a separate exhaust valves on FFMs?

Sounds like a lot of fun to be had in the local pool!

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Mdemon @ Oct. 15 2003,13:13)]Where do you get adapters from, or do you DIY them?  ATX 50 or 40 so a little bit of adjustment is possible on the regs.

Getting them off quick hadn't occurred to me - normal respirators are quite easy  though - I can improvise a quick release if required.  Does the air vent back through the reg or is there a separate exhaust valves on FFMs?

Sounds like a lot of fun to be had in the local pool!

I have only used the Ocean Reef FFM and the adapter came as supplied (I no longer have my adapter as I exchanged my first mask for a new one when I went for the integrated reg option). Instead of a mouthpiece on the reg there was a plastic tube which was threaded so it could be attached to the mask.

The air does not vent back through the reg because of the dead air space/CO2 build up problem. It vents out through a one way valve at the bottom of the mask (on mine).

Beware if you go for the comms and try them out in a pool - there was a story in one of the dive mags some time ago abt two blokes trying FFMs/comms in the pool. They were happily chatting to each other as they finned about the pool unaware that everyone else could hear what was being said. Unfortunately for them their conversation was along the lines of "nice arse, nice tits, I wouldn't mind giving that one etc". They were slightly embarassed when they eventually surfaced.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING I FORGOT TO MENTION - you will need to fashion some method of equalizing the pressure in your ears. On my mask there are 2 internal nose plugs (fully adjustable) that press onto the outside of the nose when I push the top of the mask to my forehead.

[Mdemon]

LOL!  That's what hand signals were invented for  

So the mouthpiece is just replaced by a threaded pipe?  Sounds a lot easier than I thought.  If it wasn't for the leaking problem, a friction-fit pipe would seem to allow for reg swapping.  I guess that's what the switch block is all about.

I hadn't considered equalising. Could be a problem.  Perhaps I can lash something up - I'll see when they arrive.  Oh yes - I got a bit ebay-happy and picked up the other FFM!   They'll probably both be extra small or something...

They're both black, not that girly grey colour favoured by some Plymouth-based divers I know...

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Mdemon @ Oct. 15 2003,20:14)]LOL!  That's what hand signals were invented for  

So the mouthpiece is just replaced by a threaded pipe?  Sounds a lot easier than I thought.  If it wasn't for the leaking problem, a friction-fit pipe would seem to allow for reg swapping.  I guess that's what the switch block is all about.

I hadn't considered equalising. Could be a problem.  Perhaps I can lash something up - I'll see when they arrive.  Oh yes - I got a bit ebay-happy and picked up the other FFM!   They'll probably both be extra small or something...

They're both black, not that girly grey colour favoured by some Plymouth-based divers I know...

You should be able to by individual Ocean Reef parts, like the mouthpiece adaptor and the nose plug blocks from Sea & Sea (01803 663012) although they will only supply stuff via a dive outlet so you would need to on good terms with your local LDS.

If I can offer anyother info pls feel free to ask.

Rgds
Bryan