Lightweight rebreather for a recreational diver

[Hatul]

I had a look at the rebreathers at the Long Beach scuba show, and all the ones there reminded me of anesthesia machines (minus the vaporizer) that you strap on your back. Unfortunately KISS did not have a display there. Maybe I should just borrow the hospital's machine for a day in the ocean?

Adam

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Sorry to hear that Kiss wasn't there. I don't know where Tustin, CA is ( I assume southern California) but there are several Kiss divers in that area and the National Sales Manager, Alan Studley, lives in Napa. You can contact him through the Kiss website at www.kissrebreathters.com.

 

[DwayneJ]

I had a look at the rebreathers at the Long Beach scuba show, and all the ones there reminded me of anesthesia machines (minus the vaporizer) that you strap on your back. Unfortunately KISS did not have a display there. Maybe I should just borrow the hospital's machine for a day in the ocean?

Adam

Actually there was a Kiss there and a show special associated with it - Sorry you missed it. Not that much difference in form factor from any other rebreather. What did you think of the Optima, rEvo, Titan, and the Poseidon which were also at the show?

VR Tech have their new sport rebreather coming soon if you like orange...

http://curtbowen.smugmug.com/Scuba/VR-TECH-SPORT/14712811_umCgQ#1096030899_d72Zz

Dwayne

 

[Hatul]

The VR Tech looks compact but it's hard to judge from photos. Also the Dragers look interesting. I wish there was some place with unbiased reviews, as of course, the manufacturers want to sell their product.

The Poseidon I saw and but they were not aware of the false alarms reported by the resort at St. Maarten.

The other ones that I saw at the show were very bulky.

I think the key to light weight is small displaced volume, as that will determine the total weight to achieve neutral buoyancy.

I'm reading Jeff Bozanic's book then I'll have a better understanding of what to look for and be able to discuss better. Tustin is south of LA close, I believe, to where Bozanic lives.

Adam

 

[rjack321]

Any rebreather will require OC bailout anyway. An al40 would be about the smallest bailout and that plus reg and gas inside is ~18lbs. Even the GEM + al80 which limited to ~100ft is more than a single hp130. And takes much more lead too.

Not sure why you want a SCR/CCR, but recreationally you really aren't going to save weight going to a RB.

 

[knowone]

Ahhhhhh, the extended time close to shore in those far flung mostly undivable locations

makes me quiver at any cost

Ninteenth century battered encrusted wrecks

OOOh AAAh

shiver

 

[DwayneJ]

Ahhhhhh, the extended time close to shore in those far flung mostly undivable locations

makes me quiver at any cost

Ninteenth century battered encrusted wrecks

OOOh AAAh

shiver

Why bother posting when you have nothing of value to offer?

 

[Hatul]

Any rebreather will require OC bailout anyway. An al40 would be about the smallest bailout and that plus reg and gas inside is ~18lbs. Even the GEM + al80 which limited to ~100ft is more than a single hp130. And takes much more lead too.

Not sure why you want a SCR/CCR, but recreationally you really aren't going to save weight going to a RB.

True about the bailout bottle, but the bailout bottle takes the place of a pony since it's redundant, I have much more gas to make a longer dive and no bubbles. It may be a good system for photography.

Adam

 

[knowone]

Why bother posting when you have nothing of value to offer?

Exactly!

Or is your realm of rebreather method the holy grail

 

[DwayneJ]

Or is your realm of rebreather method the holy grail

Ahh absolutes... All I see is questions on lightweight RB options (not that many), not RB is the holy grail. A big difference diving Black Rock vs The Heads and personally, I dive BP/W, Sidemount, or CCR depending on dive, location or dive buddies.

Enjoy... From a source you are familiar with... Rebreather Rant