Aeris Atmos Pro and Sport regs for Tech diving

[Super]

I just finished my Intro to Tech class through a shop that supports the Scubapro line of gear. I have heard forever about the Scubpro G250's as being the so called "gold standard" for regs used in Tech diving. I currently use an Atmos Pro reg as my primary reg and an Atmos Sport as my bungied second reg on a set of double steel 130's.

I am considering switching to the Scubapro regs but first want to know if anyone out there is currently using these regs for Tech diving? I am planning to finish my Tech classes and look forward to diving somewhat deep...as in 250' and maybe more.

Can anyone tell me if these regs are okay for these depths, if anyone is currently using these regs this deep, and if they will be okay in cold water..as in Great lakes cold?

I hate to have to go through more expense of switching out my regs but I want the right ones at these depths. Thanks

 

[widget]

I think you will be hard pressed to get an "official" word from most manufacturer to say "Yes" our regs are good to this depth. Only Poseidon as far as I know will venture into these murky waters.

The fact is most regulators in use by sport divers today are by their nature "sport" diving regulators, which manufacturers generally consider appropriate down to "sport" diving depths (around 130 ft / 40 metres) - of course we all know most balanced regulators are good way past these depths and most of us prove this on a regular basis.

I think, to say one brand is "the gold standard" is a bit "over the top" and maybe includes a little sales marketing, most of the major brands out there will do the job more than adequetly, just pick a good, fully balanced, cold water unit, make sure its well calibrated and I cant see any issues, 250 ft is deep, but not so deep a special "gold standard" regulator set up is needed.

 

[Super]

Thanks Widget for your reply. This is what I was thinking too but would feel a lot better if other divers who may use these regs at depth could give me a little feedback. Unfortunately your statement about "official" word from manufacturers is also true. I get this a lot on several questions about particuar gear in regards to Tech diving.

Thanks again.

 

[widget]

Sure, I hear you Super. Maybe someone will comment.

 

[ianr33]

Figure out the density of the Trimix you will be breathing at 250 and compare it to the density of air at 130 feet.

e.g. (A very rough calculation.)
Mass of O2 is 32,mass of N2 is 28. Mass of He is 4

Relative density of air (21% O2, 79% N2 ) will be approximately 30

At 130 feet ~ 5 ATM relative density is 150

If using 50% He then relative density will be around (30+4)/2 =17 at 1 ATM

260 feet is around 9ATM so the relative density at depth would be 17X9 = 153

50% trimix at 260 feet is pretty much the same density as air at 130 feet,so I would expect the regs to work fine.

Dont know about the temperature issue.

This opinion worth exactly what you paid for it!!

 

[Super]

WOW!! Ianr33....quite an answer and I never thought to ever approach this question from this point of view. The thought process seems logical enough and I'm all about being logical. Although some people seem to think diving 250 feet deep isn't logical. Greatly appreciate your help and feel a lot better about these regs....however I'll continue to ask for anybody with any deep diving experience with these regs to post their views.

Thanks again.

 

[leapfrog]

Both Aeris and SCUBAPRO are quite clear in their manufacturers' regulator owners equipment guides that their regulators are designed for RECREATIONAL diving only and should not be used below 165ft. MAX. This is because they both comply to the CE directive.

If you are seriously interested in going to 250ft and beyond, IMHO you should be looking at Apeks, Poseidon and Hollis. I consider Apeks to be the "gold standard" in technical diving. That's a personal opinion based on talking to the guys who do this and teach this the whole time.

With recreational gear you could have some very nasty experiences at 250ft.

A lot of students ask me what is the difference between recreational diving and technical diving. My answer is that recreational diving is like being a passenger in a commercial airliner whilst technical diving is like being an astronaut. You don't go into space in a 777, however good it may do the job from flying from NYC to LA.

 

[Jimmer]

One other thing to consider if that your Aeris regs would probably make good deco regs, if you did get something else for your backgas.

 

[leapfrog]

One other thing to consider if that your Aeris regs would probably make good deco regs, if you did get something else for your backgas.

Very, very good point. Missed that. Thanks.

 

[pescador775]

Tech divers are known to prefer the Scubapro mods with swivel port (turret). It favors positioning of the various hoses. Otherwise, any of the high end recreational regs can go to 300 feet. This whole line of discussion is silly. Fifty years ago, divers successfully went to 300 feet and deeper using double hose regs. Problems that occurred, including death, were due to the use of air as the breathing gas. Risks in deep dives will be a function of diver planning, execution and competence.

As far as those depth limits; the manufacturers are saying that they don't trust YOU to dive their equipment below 130 feet.