The 'Switching to a Rebreather' Debate.

[Darren27]

I'm just at the point where I want to  push myself a bit more when diving and start to do some planned deco dives.  At the moment I dive a single + pony with a BC.  So I need to spend a bit of money getting the right kit, wing, BP twins etc.  There is a fair bit of money to be spent to get the right kit.  Someone suggested a rebreather would be a better bet.  I have done some internet searching and found lots about the different options out there, but what a would like to know is how much does a rebreather cost to run, eg servicing, scrubber and such.

Also is there much advantage in using an SCR over OC for dives in the 30 - 40 mtr range, and as there is not much difference in cost of an SCR with an O2 monitor compared to a CCR, is it best just to find the little bit extra cash and go CCR straight off.

Any advice would be very helpfull.

Cheers all

Darren

[angleseydiver]

<font color='#000080'>Darren,
Top of page 2 on this forum- Rebreathers : costs involved
Hope you're simulating deco-dives on your no-stops already-
bouyancy, reg-switches, SMB deployment etc.....well worth the effort  in a low-risk situation.
I,m into my 3rd year on the YBOD but do very little deco on it- one of the big advantages of a CCR... do the deco-dives I used to but without the stops  
e.g. : OC- 60mins@ 25m = 20mins stops
       CCR   60mins@ 25m = 1 mins    &quot;
         &quot;      120mins@ 25m = 18 mins  &quot;
Just choose your option!
If you ever get into trimix the savings on gas are incredible.
ATB,
Terry

[Mark Scott-Simons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ] OC- 60mins@ 25m = 20mins stops
       CCR   60mins@ 25m = 1 mins

Typical YBOD BS

I dive OC and for 60 minutes @ 25 m dont need any stops.

Scotty

[MATTBIN]

Please explain, the tables I have read 25mind for 25mtrs to be inside NDL.
How do you get 60mins at that depth with no stops.

Matt

[Diving Dude]

Hey Scotty.
I find most of your posts interesting, however criticising what someone has posted and then not clarifying is just not cricket.

Matt
What, I assume, Scotty should have stated is OC on 40% eanx and Terry OC on air.

[Mark Scott-Simons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ] however criticising what someone has posted and then not clarifying is just not cricket.

I'm playing by the same rules as Terry. Incomplete (being generous here) and unjustified statements maskerading as fact. If you want to offer advice or comparisons then be honest when you do so. State assumptions and give enough data so that others can see how you've arrived at your conclusions

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]How do you get 60mins at that depth with no stops.

Using VPlanner, actually get over 70 minutes with no stop

Using Zh16 and my usual GF factors I get 80 minutes @ 25m with 1m stop (EAN40)

[Would I dive those plans? No. Adding a safety stop costs very little.]

Scotty

[Mark Scott-Simons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I'm just at the point where I want to  push myself a bit more when diving and start to do some planned deco dives.  At the moment I dive a single + pony with a BC.  So I need to spend a bit of money getting the right kit, wing, BP twins etc.

Most people try to minimise deco and the first way to do that is to dive Nitrox. This enables longer dives with no deco. A much better alternative than planned deco. For dives with a few minutes of deco you have perfectly adequate kit. If you start to chalk up the deco and want to reduce it then you're into accelerated deco - stages or CCR (SCR requires stage cylinders to switch gas just like CCR Edit that should say OC). To do this most people would suggest that you upgraded your kit.

Note that Nitox is a prerequisite for SCR or CCR training.

As for comparing costs then you will never recoup your money on a CCR if you dive to less than 50m within 10 ish years. Theres a thread on Dnet where Vic and I discuss this. Here

Scotty

[Darren27]

Thanks for all the help so far, lots to read on the other threads.

I am currently Adv Nitrox qualified and am used to using the extra bottom time. &nbsp;I dont currently plan my dive with deco, but follow my computer and monitor my gas and will do up to about 5 min deco if I feel the site is worth the extra. &nbsp;However more and more I want to stay longer. &nbsp;I'm not too fussed about going deeper than about 40mtrs as I have a low narcosis threshold, by 40 mtrs I know I'm not safe and really have to concentrate. &nbsp;

I'm just looking for the best way to extend my bottom time in the 30-40 mtr range. &nbsp;Get twins and use a rich deco mix, or go for a rebreather, SCR or CCR.

[Mark Scott-Simons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I'm just looking for the best way to extend my bottom time in the 30-40 mtr range.

Unless you have a huge breathing rate then twin 10's. Initially without a stage &nbsp;though you may eventually find that limiting and move onto a 3 or 7L stage.

A CCR or SCR wont give you anything that the above supplies. Except higher capital outlay and more complexity before and during the dive.

Scotty

[Addthe bad]

In my (Humble) opinion you need to go through the twin thing before moving onto rebreathers.

In the end the biggest decider for me was when I physically could not get off the ground with out help when wearing my twins plus..........


I still dive with twins guys (one of whom regularly also dives ccr &nbsp;(i'm scr)). &nbsp;The main difference is weight out of water, proceedure in entering and setup discipline. Oh yes the VR3 was a little expensive to monitor my ppo2 (There are cheaper ways and some say it is not necessary on scr but I value my life)


Taking the dive computeer out of the equation rebreathers are still more expensive and for me on a scr depth is an issue.Having dive at Easter in the Farnes then refills are also an issue


Would I go back to Oc? &nbsp;No

Why not?
weight, NOISE!, freedom. &nbsp;

Will I move on to CCR? &nbsp;Probably but by modifying my SCR.