CCRs do you want one?

[broady]

Can't really see the point in CCR diving sub 45 - 50 metres - OC is still a very viable and often a better choice - as Digger pointed out earlier.

Beyond this and much longer run times the CCR really comes into it's own. When Nic and I went CC it was with a view that most of our diving would be in the 50 - 80 metre range, and that is what we have done.

Now 2-3 hour run times are the norm and the benefits of warm gas on long deco hangs really helps maintain a good core temperature.

A couple of standard gases for Diluent cover all our diving and run times are determined by bailout volumes - makes for nice easy planning !

Bumping into fish is a bit of a giggle, I went nose to nose with a large Pollack the other day and had to practically push it out of the way !! Taking photo's is somewhat easier too as the critters interact better and there aren't any 'orrible bubbles ruining the shot!

We still do the occassional stuff in the 25 - 45 metre range on the rebreathers as I believe it's best to stick to CCR and embrace the mindset completely rather than chopping and changing between OC & CC. They're also useful practice training dives.

Sadly though I think the rebreather is becoming the latest 'willy waving' bit of kit rather than a tool for a specific job.

Graham

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[Lanny]

Not for me at present, for a number of reasons.

- Limiting factor on UK dives is time in the water (tides, cold) and I would not want run times any longer than 2 hours (absolute max in good conditions). I can do this comfortably on OC with stages, even up to the maximum depths attainable in the channel.

- In the light of numerous fatalities, I just don't trust the electronics on most units:

http://www.deeplife.co.uk/files/How_...ill_People.pdf

- I don't think that any of the current units are sufficiently well thought out. If MK 15/15.5/16 were still being manufactured and supported, I would possibly rethink this.

- The long prep times and cleaning schedules do not exactly fill me with glee.

- I understand OC, have the technical ability to service all my own kit and have total trust in how it works.

- I want to enjoy the dive and be able to look at the wreck, rather than my console.

- I think the cost aspect is a bit of a red herring. Tech diving is very expensive regardless, and justifying a RB on cost grounds of a few hundred pounds a year saved on helium is not a convincer for me, especially when you factor in costs of OC bailout, and common charter and travel costs.

However, there are many tasks that a rebreather is absolutely the right tool for, particularly photography and marine biology projects. You could also justify it on long liveaboard trips with no haskel and limited availability of gas.

I would be the first to admit that my rebreather experience is limited to some try dives, buddying people on 'breathers and learning a lot of the theory for my FCD exam. Inspo MOD 1 courses are now being run at Bovi, and as a course would not cost me anything I may consider it in the future, purely to give me a better understanding of RB diving as a Dive Manager/SADS/Instructor.

I will also look at going down the SCR route in the future, but only if the diving I want to do dictates a genuine requirement that I can't fulfil on OC.

I think that a lot of divers are going to a 'breather too early and using them as a technical solution to anxieties over poor dive planning or poor skills. Getting a CCR after a few hundred dives because it is the latest shiny piece of kit and you don't have any more D-rings on your "tech" BC to dangle crap from is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. It doesn't help that the BSAC hierarchy are massively pro rebreather and give the impression that the pinnacle of diving is being strapped to a yellow dog shit bin, when everyone knows that the pinnacle of diving is scootering in a cave.

[nigelH]

Diving is for fun so would a rebreather make it more fun?

Factor in the costs, factor in the techno-geek in you wanting one, factor in the extra faf, factor in the weight, factor-in the cleaning, factor in the one-mix-fits-all trimix diving (not quite true), factor in whatever.

Just remember that you can still go diving even if you don't buy a rebreather.
Is it worth it?
I can't answer that for you.
I have three.

[SoggyFox]

I don't think anyone has to justify why they have chosen a certain piece of kit to compliment thier hobby. You do need to understand them and look after them, yes they require maintaining and preparation but its something i don't mind.I happily spend and hour the night before checking and building the KISS, it doesn't seem that much hassle to me.

i enjoy the silence of the dive and the feeling of this is how diving a should be, its quite nice to be able to hear the noises around me while i'm diving, don't know why but i find it very relaxing. Knowing as i swim along the wreck i have no problem extending the dive by 5 or 10 minutes if i want (i always keep a mental check of max time for bailout), the only real limiting factor on most dives being bailout and boredom on the stops. The warmth of the gas compared with OC is a joy, coming up the line and looking around at the OC guys going from one reg to another and smiling to myself. On a good weekend at the end of each day, cleaning and tidying up my kit, check the gas and wonder off to the pub, watching the OC guys giving each other bottles to take to be filled.

this is what makes me enjoy CCR diving and want to dive CCR every time.

[SoggyFox]

- In the light of numerous fatalities, I just don't trust the electronics on most units:

http://www.deeplife.co.uk/files/How_...ill_People.pdf

I'm unsure about that article now, especially after they entered the CCR markets themselves. I believe its heavily biased and now used as a marketing tool.

[japandiver]

Everytime I have the urge to return to a rebreather I read the RB incident / fatality reports and the sub-forum on O2 cells and electronics - that normally reminds me why I stopped.

If you want to reduce the gas costs and enjoy fettling you can always buy a compressor and booster pump. With a good size booster the reuse of gas can make a substantial difference to costs.

regards

Hugh

[Simon TW]

Divers who currently dive on twinsets would you if you could afford to, do the training and buy a CCR?

In answer to your original question ( it seems the great CCR debate has re-started again).

I've a lot of time on CCR but I still have twinsets and dive them so as a twinset diver I'll answer.

It's not just cost it's warmth, no gas worries so long as you're out in 3 hours most will get you there and back. It's also peer pressure, there's lots of it on here. I've bought quite a few units from people who thought that they should have a unit because x and y have and they need to keep up. It's not for everyone but if you have the cash why not?

I see mums taking little Kyle half a mile to school in a BMW X5 when a pram would do the trick. why? because they can afford it and want the other mums to know how well they're doing.

I'm at Wastwater next week with two twinset divers and another CCR diver. I'll fill and prep the unit and I'll have two days diving with little fuss. The problem that we're having is the twinset divers need 4 twinsets each to do the dives. It's MOD 1 depth but decent bottom times.

CCRs are a tool to me, all my kit is, my favourite tool is a single.

If you feel tempted I have two nice Visions ready to go. I'll even do a deal on the training

I hope that's answered your question.

[wreckferret]

I used to think it would be great to be cc.
When I was doing 80m diving only a couple of people had them and how little gas they had to carry was amazing BUT all the pre-dive checks were a pain.
I have toyed many times to do a MOD1 just to see if it would be for me. CC divers keep telling me I have too many years (20+) OC diving under my belt and the transition would be very tough - don`t know?

Now I only do a few dives a month and the equipment cost wouldn`t be justified.

If my diving ever goes back to 100+ dives a year, I would probably go down the the CC route as it would be for the extra safety of always diving on a nitrox mix, I had a type 2 bend 4 years ago and think this one factor would be a big enough reason.

I don`t know if this has answered your question but has got me dreaming again.

[hammerheads]

I had a brief go on one about three years ago, it was not long enough to decide if I liked it or not. I should get round to having another go.

I would like to try one to see how much a difference it makes when taking pictures

[Moray Brown]

Many people buy CCR's just because they simply want one and depth has no bearing on the decision why they bought it. Your point about the M3 is more accurate than you think as the person bought the M3 simply because they wanted one, and regardless of 2miles or 20miles going to work makes no difference, they wanted one to simply enjoy. The same goes for CCR's

and my reply wasn't exhaustive..

I don't doubt that people stay at MOD1 - but I still cannot get my head around people wanting to stick to MOD1 and not wanting to push the equipment and their skills further on more challenging dives by taking further training (eventually - a future goal).

Please - answer me the question - why would a RB diver stay at MOD1 - which I guess is sub 50 metre diving? I really don't know.. Its like buying a BMW M3 to drive to work for 20 miles of motorway driving each day.. not a good analogy - but you get my drift..

with regard to Rec divers using rebreathers - I'm in the wrong job obviously..