My First Try on an RB

[MartinS]

Had a go on an Inspiration (and not a green counterlung in sight) last night, and just wanted to pass on my first impressions. We now have three divers in our club on Inspirations, two of them new to RBs (but both trimix qualified) and the other a seasoned RB diver.

Personally, the idea of an RB really appeals, but the cost, for me at least is just too prohibitive, but I wasn't going to turn down the chance of a try-dive now, was I!

The unit was put on, strapped in and I was told about making sure the mouthpiece was open ONLY when in your mouth, otherwise it was closed - OK, that I can manage. Then, I was told to breathe in through the mouth, out through the nose several times to then hear the ADV kick in. I then was told to breathe in and out through the mouth relatively hard and the same occurred. Next, after finding the auto-air and ensuring I knew the controls, I emptied the wing and put my head under, to be dragged up to the surface and told to "stop breathing through my nose!" - oops

Once I'd got my head straight, I tried again, but the first thing I noticed was how much my bottom jaw suddenly began to ache - maybe I was biting too hard or maybe it was because I wasn't use to the larger mouthpiece, but it was noticeably painful. I had a quick meander half-way down the pool and then turned round and came back. "That was quick", but I felt that I needed more time to understand more about and would prefer more time to get used to it under the water, but I wasn't the only one giving it a go, so passed it on to the next guy.

I then proceeeded to quiz Dan (the seasoned RB diver) all about the unit. He was very happy to take the unit apart to show me (plus a few others by now) the scrubber, sensors, and the general 'plumbing' arrangement. We discussed cost and he said that his unit had paid for itself in the first year - he's now done something in the region of 360 hours on it! I mentioned a few points raised from reading the threads here, i.e. fourth cell positioning and Dan was happy to tell us (and explain his reasoning) that he had moved his fourth cell to 'live' in the same airspace as the other three, rather than inside the opening to the breathing hose, and his logic seemed to make sense. We also discussed general points, like the fact that because you are breathing warm air, you stay warmer, this, he said was very noticeable. All in all a very interesting evening, and I have learnt much, and I will now read up lots more about RBs as, maybe someday, I will have enough 'spare cash' to invest in one (if invest is the right word).

What made the eveining even better was that Dan also bought his scooter in (aquazepp) and we all had goes whizzing around the pool with just a pair of goggles on - cool

Anyway, that's enough of my rambling - just wanted to put it down in writing.
Regards, and dive safe

Martin

[Padowan]

That was how it started for me. Was generally interested in the technology, had a try-dive at the 2003 LDS and loved it, had another try-dive at the 2003 Birminghan show, then thought, "I really love it, I have to have one!" and decided to start saving all my pennies. Got my unit in July this year and am still loving it, will never look back.

It's a slippery slope. I've offered to let some of my regular buddies have a go in the pool, but they're all scared that they're going to be hopelessly drawn down the same track....

I think the going rate for a black market kidney, would just about cover the cost of the unit, the training with probably enough spare for an Aquazepp too!

[tom]

I'm in Martin's club, and I can confirm that the pool was like a branch of Toys-R-Us last night! I missed out on the breathers, but the Aquazep was brilliant fun

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Padowan

It's a slippery slope. I've offered to let some of my regular buddies have a go in the pool, but they're all scared that they're going to be hopelessly drawn down the same track....

I think the going rate for a black market kidney, would just about cover the cost of the unit, the training with probably enough spare for an Aquazepp too!

Too right one go on your rebreather will cost me the best part of £4,500 and I can not risk that ............ or could I ............??

Also shame on you for suggesting someone might sell a kidney to get a rebreather, you should know better Simon

[Pierre Farrugia]

Hello,

Good report which brings to mind anyone's first try dive. My first RB dive actually came trough Yorkshire Divers gig, Malta Bagers tour . One of the guys Paul, hired a unit and after seeing me looking at him all day with watering eyes , he decided I had a go in the pool. Was great fun and was surprised how natural it was. Was a great day, thanks again paul.

Regard

Pierre

[Padowan]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Too right one go on your rebreather will cost me the best part of £4,500 and I can not risk that ............ or could I ............??

Also shame on you for suggesting someone might sell a kidney to get a rebreather, you should know better Simon

You know the offer's there, take it when you have a weak moment.... Deccles would HAVE to weaken if there were 2 of us......just think of the photos you could get when you're not scaring fish away. The other weekend in the lake, there was a huge Carp in the shallow which didn't swim away until I was about 30cm from it.

[Brass Monkey]

The force of the yellow box is indeed strong. Wife cooling down time, it’s now been just over a month since she was introduced to the new family member. On a cooling down scale of 1 – 10 I would say she is now on a 4 – 3 and it wouldn’t take much to push that back up to a 9.5. Ah but the box did call to me in my sleep and drew me in with many promises.


Dave.

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Brass Monkey

On a cooling down scale of 1 – 10 I would say she is now on a 4 – 3 and it wouldn’t take much to push that back up to a 9.5.
Dave.

A VR3 should sort that then

[Brass Monkey]

Originally Posted by turbanator

A VR3 should sort that then

Already done pal, that's what pushed her from a 8.5 to a 10

It's the booster that would send her right over the top, I'm having to curb my spending for a while for that one. Looking back on it now she can sometimes smile at the night she reached warp factor 10. When she starts laughing about it and telling her friends aobut the wobbler she threw I'll know she's needing a new booster pump for her birthday.


Dave.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Brass Monkey

It's the booster that would send her right over the top, I'm having to curb my spending for a while for that one. Looking back on it now she can sometimes smile at the night she reached warp factor 10. When she starts laughing about it and telling her friends aobut the wobbler she threw I'll know she's needing a new booster pump for her birthday.

**shrug**
I seem to be alone in the fact that my wife used to ignore what I spent on dive gear for myself and my son. The only time she complained was when we did 2 weeks in the Red Sea and she though that was a bit long to leave her on her own at home.

She used to pick me up from hospital too after my annual impromptu visit when I was still racing motorbikes and she didn't call in the 'I will stop when you really want me to promise' until she was obviously right.

If I could find another one like that I'd marry again but why would a woman with the world at her feet want me?

nigelH
Haskel owner