hi there,
i envy ur plan to enjoy diving liveaboard in PNG. u will LOVE it! when i was there, i stayed on Lissenung island and enjoyed high-adrenaline diving day after day for a whole month. actually i was offered a job :10:
HOWEVER, i believe u had better learn a rebreather where u live, even if u are an experienced diver and familiar with EANx. The main reason is what u will need AFTER u are certified.
learning a rebreather is a long process, just like diving itself. when u want to buy ur own rebreather, u want to ask zillion questions. when u are not comfortable with it, u want to ask many questions to fix it. when u want to change or add options like an O2 sensor, again u need expert's opinions.
if u have in ur neighborhood someone whom u can ask questions about ur rebreather without hesitation, u will feel much more comfortable. if that someone is ur rebreather instructor, no one matches him/her 'cause he/she knows u underwater and gives u the best advice.
start learning a rebreather NOW. practice it many times so that u will feel comfortable using it on board in PNG. u will have a wonderful diving experience then, i.e. diving a rebreather in PNG as an independent diver!
ken chung ar
frantic Dolphin diver