inspiration

[steve-k]

<font color='#000080'>i would like to start the inspiration thread again

i hope we can keep on track


wolf m8
you indcated that you should only use the inspiration if you realy need to, ie if open will do thn use open, can you please explane further


rob
you had much t offer, please summise why you dive the inspiration and how you have justified th risks

anybody else who can contribute please feel free to

i would also like to xpand the arguments re oc/ scr/ ccr, but only in a safty/risk asesment view


all coments welcome

steve-k

[Bantam]

After diving with an Inspiration diver this weekend I can honestly say that I have no problems with them. The benefits they give you massively outweight the downsides, plus if you follow the manual and do everything it suggests (like changing the coffee can contents every 3 hours, replacing the sensors regularly and so on) then it can only be a safe thing?

Same benefits of diving on Nitrox on air tables.

The only downside I can see is the circa £4k price tag and that people have to keep on top of the filters / sensors etc..

Also, there is no bail out so if you're at 60m and it fails, well, you're slightly snookered.

I personally wouldn't, but I can see why people would.

Bottom line is it's personal choice guys - each to their own!

[Finless]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Bantam @ Sep. 23 2003,14:29)]Also, there is no bail out so if you're at 60m and it fails, well, you're slightly snookered.

I know that bit is incorrect.

There is the option to breath in OC mode off the on board cylinders - admittedly a 3 ltr cylinder at 60 mtrs prob won't get you to the surface safely. Also, I believe (as a VERY interested non owner) that there are other options which I will not make myself look stupid by guessing at (OK, OK, more stupid than necessary). Alright, one guess - manually flushing the RB system with whatever is the appropriate gas - diluent/O2/something with a bit of helium in it.

Robin - HELP.

[Dominic]

There's always the option of a BOB - bail out 'breather - that way if RB one dies, switch to RB2. The KISS manufacturer has a nifty little side-slung number for this very purpose...

Alternatively, a RB that can have cylinder sizes other than 3L could be used..

[And]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hi

There is indeed bailout, in the little 3 ltr bottle.

But by the time you've finished using it for your BC (of course there are those who use drysuit for buoyancy) , flushing the loop perhaps and then replacing any gas in the loop used for mask clearing etc, there's not a lot left at 60 mtrs. Oh and then you have to breathe it from the air2 thing which then makes ascending a right pain as you need that umbilical for your ascent.

So Bailout in theory is correct, although in practice most use a stage bottle. (or those I've seen kneeling on the floor at Stoney at any rate)

One big downside which is rarely discussed is the actual drag of the thing, cluttered chest area, extra cylinders, I thought it was supposed to be easy.

Andy

[MATTBIN]

Unless you are racing I should have thought the drag is only a concern in that you potentially use more gas, but as you've got masses of the stuff anyway surely the drag isnt a problem?

Matt

[And]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hi

Not racing but simply swimming against a current. Co2 buildup, harder work etc etc generally regarded as a bad thing no matter how much gas you havewhich is why streamlining is becoming quite a popular topic amongst divers.

Andy

[Dominic]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]But by the time you've finished using it for your BC (of course there are those who use drysuit for buoyancy)

You VERY rarely hear of Inspiration divers using their BC for buoyancy - it would mean THREE sources of bouyancy to control, and with two 3l cylinders, the change in weight between full and empty just isn't big enough for any of the &quot;use the BC&quot; concerns to be valid.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]then you have to breathe it from the air2 thing which then makes ascending a right pain as you need that umbilical for your ascent.

Nah you don't - see above. Holistic approach, y'see &nbsp;

[And]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hi

Interesting Dom. I'd always assumed that inspiration divers needed more weight, not less and therefore at depth they will need more buoyancy compensation not less and so the BC vs Drysuit debate becomes even more pertinent.

Reason being is that your gear with empty or near empty cylinders when properly weighted is neutrally buoyant at the surface, you then descend by emptying your lungs. As an inspiration diver cannot empty his lungs in this manner he therefore needs more weight, no matter what cylinders he has.

Andy

[Rob Evans]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]swimming against a current

SWIM??? &nbsp;Bugger that. &nbsp;Drop down shot line. Bimble. &nbsp;Go back up again. &nbsp;

You're right about the cluttered chest area though, it is a pain. Though as with all things in life you get used to it if you want the benefit of lower work of breathing.