So Begins My Rebreather Journey

[tstormdiver]

Well, just did my 4th trip to the pool. I'm still barely crawling & been using the pool time to practice the very basic skills I've been shown. Overall buoyancy control hasn't been awful,... not perfect,... but not crashing or anything. Ascents are slow & controlled. Trim is a little weird, as 1 minute I am feet heavy, the next I'm standing on my head. I'm guessing it is due to changing loop volume, that's the only thing that had changed. I am trying to maintain minimal loop volume, but in a shallow pool, it is difficult with the constant injection of oxygen to maintain set point.

 

[tstormdiver]

[h=5]YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!! <Happy dance!>:banana: I was at one with the Force (the rebreather) tonight! I was in the zone! After a bit of futzing around & changing out weights, I finally trimmed out nicely & buoyancy was solid. I was able to finally completely relax! Now the hard part,... do it again & again & again......... [/h]

 

[down4fun]

I realize i am really late to this thread but...Congratulations!!! And welcome the dark side. Would love to hear how you RB diving is going.

 

[tstormdiver]

Well, after months of waiting for the local waters to warm up & for a large shop trip to be over & out of the way,... it looks like I may be getting to get on the rebreather in actual ope water tomorrow (keep your fingers crossed). I have about 12 hrs on the unit in the pool right now, so should have my trim & buoyancy sorted out.

 

[BVickery]

Well, after months of waiting for the local waters to warm up & for a large shop trip to be over & out of the way,... it looks like I may be getting to get on the rebreather in actual ope water tomorrow (keep your fingers crossed). I have about 12 hrs on the unit in the pool right now, so should have my trim & buoyancy sorted out.

Best of luck and have fun!

 

[tstormdiver]

Well, finally got to use my PRISM2 in open water yesterday. It wasn't a very long dive (time constraints) & not very deep (about 40 ft at the most),... but that was OK. At least it was a start. I was run through some very simple skills (mask flood/ clear (without losing any volume), clearing the SDV, flooded loop recovery & going to bailout & stowing the bailout back away). My instructor said I did decent on the skills, just need to fine tune a few things. Buoyancy was a little weird. Beginning to think I may have been a tad underweighted. In shallow water >5ft, I could not stay down, even with minimal loop volume,... deeper I could stay down, without too much trouble. Overall, it was a very positive experience, I felt reasonably comfortable with the whole experience. I am very much looking forward to the next time I can get on the unit!

 

[rongoodman]

I'm picking mine up tonight, MOD 1 in a month at Dive Gear Express. I'm looking forward to it, although I know I'll be disappointed when it doesn't feel like my sidemount rig in terms if buoyancy and trim.

 

[tstormdiver]

I'm picking mine up tonight, MOD 1 in a month at Dive Gear Express. I'm looking forward to it, although I know I'll be disappointed when it doesn't feel like my sidemount rig in terms if buoyancy and trim.

Takes a little getting used to, but then You can always sidemount your bailout, if you want, that's what I am doing. The unit is so light weight, you probably won't really even notice it. After doing most dives (other than teaching & vacation) in manifolded doubles, the light weight properties was a much welcome relief.

 

[rongoodman]

I already have a buttplate from Golem Gear for sidemounting the bailout bottles--I see Hollis just came out with one too. Are you using a SS or aluminum BP with your unit?

 

[tstormdiver]

I'm using a stainless steel backplate. Basically the one I use for my doubles. It's already fitted to me. I don't have a buttplate, but am using 2 D-rings attached to the back of my crotch strap to clip bottles to. Makes for a little more reach,but not unbearable.