So Begins My Rebreather Journey

[tstormdiver]

Got the rebreather back in the Open Water for 2 hour long dives. 1st dive was not so good. Started off fine until a navigational error took us clear across the quarry, furthest from the entry point as you can get. On ascent to get our heading corrected, my undergarment got up into my drysuit's exhaust valve. I could not vent any air out of the suit. With empty wings & nearly empty counterlungs, I still managed to get into an uncontrolled ascent from about 40 0ft. My instructor did what he could to assist me. We made it to the surface safely, but it was rather hairy for a bit. We got our heading & went back to shore with no further issues. After making a few more adjustments, my unit finally trimmed out (I was a bit nose heavy). The second dive went much more smoothly & I was much more comfortable & at ease with what I was doing. I realize now, I have a very long way to go & still have much to learn & perfect, but with time, practice & perseverance, I can make it.

 

[tstormdiver]

Another 90 minute dive in the books last Fri. Overall a great dive. Even an ascent from 95- 20 ft went smooth. Although I find myself really having to concentrate on maintaining the air spaces in my equipment. I'm still in the "Newbie survival mode", as can be found with any diver new to diving or new to a different style of diving. The struggles I've been going through have been good for me,... as an Open Water instructor, I can better understand the struggles of my own students. I still have much to learn, but it is coming together dive by dive.

 

[Douglas Ward]

Tstormdiver, you're experience sounds a lot like mine. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Any updates?

 

[tstormdiver]

Just spent nearly 3 hrs underwater on the unit today, over 2 dives. My instructor drilled me on several skill sets. My ascents are completely controlled now,... even during an air sharing drill. It was great,... a real confidence builder. I really needed that. I'm now at about 7 hrs on the unit.

 

[down4fun]

Sounds like you are getting comfortable on the unit. Keep at it, it gets easier.

 

[tstormdiver]

Another 2 hr dive in the log book today. Did about 20 minutes at 90- 95 ft, then ascended to about 25 ft for the remainder of the dive. Went through mask clearing drills, OOA drills, Low PPO2 drills, Diluent flush drills, bail- out drills & probably a couple others that aren't coming to mind right now.... Buoyancy & trim remained good the entire time, I even felt good enough to swim upside down & do some barrel rolls,... just let loose & had a little fun. A couple observations on today's dive- 1. I did not notice the narcosis I typically feel on the deeper dives at the quarry (even on the unit). I was very clear headed,... that was kind of nice. 2. Buoyancy on the rebreather is vastly more stable than on Open Circuit, once I got it figured out. I can hover completely motionless... weird feeling. 3. Whether OC or on the unit,... blue water swimming (no reference points at all) is disorienting. I learned quickly to use both my computer & ears to keep tabs on my depth & the compass to get back to the entrance point. So far,... so good.

 

[tstormdiver]

Well I passed the academic tests the other day. The manufacturer's test was very tough,... the training agency's was a bit easier, but they both made me really think through my answers. Looking like another dive or 2 to finish up a couple skills not yet covered & to clean up some other skills that weren't as smooth as I & my instructor would like. I now have nearly 10 hrs in open water on the unit. I'm close,... but just not quite there yet.....

 

[rongoodman]

Well I passed the academic tests the other day. The manufacturer's test was very tough,... the training agency's was a bit easier

Interesting, I thought the Hollis exam was a little easier than the one from IANTD. I remember that a couple of the questions on the Hollis exam were a little strange, and Mark ended up talking about them to whoever at Hollis wrote the exam.

 

[tstormdiver]

Interesting, I thought the Hollis exam was a little easier than the one from IANTD. I remember that a couple of the questions on the Hollis exam were a little strange, and Mark ended up talking about them to whoever at Hollis wrote the exam.

I did the TDI exam,... wasn't too bad (general rebreather stuff). I agree, some of those questions on Hollis' test were a tad misleading

. I did think through the questions & even discussed my answers with my instructor on how I came up with them. There were a couple I missed that I knew the answer to & just put down the wrong letter (number) .