Packhorse
Contributor
Well one year after my first dive on the IDA I finally got my first mixed gas CCR dive done on my IDA 71.
For those of you that dont know the IDA range of rebreathers are Russian Military units. The IDA 71 was designed in 1971.
Yeah yeah, I hear you. But this is not the Lada of rebreathers. Its more like the Mig 25 of rebreathers. These were built at the hight of the cold war and no expense was spared in its design.
Originally designed as a pure O2 Chemical Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCCR from CCCP) it also had the option of an off board 40% nitrox tank for use or depths below 20 meters. There were several types available. A standard unit, an anti magnetic version for mine clearing and also a unit for high altitude parachutists.
Anyway.... I have probably done away with half of the original set up. What is left is the aluminium case, twin parallel scrubber cannisters, counter lung,Over pressure release valve, Auto add valve and many fittings.
Trim has been improved with about 4kgs of lead above and below the counter lung.
The breathing loop consists of a MK15 DSV, rubber hoses from Abyss Rebreathers in Australia, 90 degree brass fittings from Bunnings soldered to the stock IDA connectors.
The counter lung has been modified. Instead of the exhale tubes traveling through the inside of the counter lung I have rerouted it out of the lung.
On the left of the lung I have added a P port that holds 2 O2 sensors that are read by a rEvo dream hand set and HUD.
On the top of the lung is the stock Auto add valve. This is basicly just like a second stage reg and when the lung collapses it adds more air.
Only one scrubber is shown but for dives deeper than 20 meters or for a weekend of diving I will use 2 scrubbers..
The tank on board provides O2. This feeds the O2 valve you can see connected to the green hose. It consists of a CMF (constant mass flow) valve that provides 0.8 litres of O2 per minute plus a manual add valve to add extra O2 when required.
Diluent is supplied off board by what ever sized tank is suitable for the dive. This connects via a quick connect to a delrin manifold that splits the gas off to the ADV, Wing, and drysuit.
The ADV has been modified so it has a button that pushes against the ADV diaphragm to add more diluent when required. Another Manual add valve for diluent much like the O 2 add valve will be added shortly.
My main aim for the set up was to try and keep it as clean as possible. Especially after diving with a couple of other RB divers who seem to have hoses, pipes, displays, valves and wotsits hanging everywhere. So far I am very pleased with the outcome and feels its a well laid out design. But who know, I may soon feel the need for more hoses, pipes and wotsits.
So whats next?
Add a crotch strap to the harness.
Change the DIL set up with addition of a swaglok quick connect and MAV (Manual add valve )
Water trap.
Set it up for twin scrubbers again.
Add a 3rd O2 sensor using another P Port and connect it up to a VR3 computer.
Add a BOV ( Bail Out Valve).
Add a small 1 Litre tank dedicated to wing and drysuit inflation
For those of you that dont know the IDA range of rebreathers are Russian Military units. The IDA 71 was designed in 1971.
Yeah yeah, I hear you. But this is not the Lada of rebreathers. Its more like the Mig 25 of rebreathers. These were built at the hight of the cold war and no expense was spared in its design.
Originally designed as a pure O2 Chemical Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCCR from CCCP) it also had the option of an off board 40% nitrox tank for use or depths below 20 meters. There were several types available. A standard unit, an anti magnetic version for mine clearing and also a unit for high altitude parachutists.
Anyway.... I have probably done away with half of the original set up. What is left is the aluminium case, twin parallel scrubber cannisters, counter lung,Over pressure release valve, Auto add valve and many fittings.
Trim has been improved with about 4kgs of lead above and below the counter lung.
The breathing loop consists of a MK15 DSV, rubber hoses from Abyss Rebreathers in Australia, 90 degree brass fittings from Bunnings soldered to the stock IDA connectors.
The counter lung has been modified. Instead of the exhale tubes traveling through the inside of the counter lung I have rerouted it out of the lung.
On the left of the lung I have added a P port that holds 2 O2 sensors that are read by a rEvo dream hand set and HUD.
On the top of the lung is the stock Auto add valve. This is basicly just like a second stage reg and when the lung collapses it adds more air.
Only one scrubber is shown but for dives deeper than 20 meters or for a weekend of diving I will use 2 scrubbers..
The tank on board provides O2. This feeds the O2 valve you can see connected to the green hose. It consists of a CMF (constant mass flow) valve that provides 0.8 litres of O2 per minute plus a manual add valve to add extra O2 when required.
Diluent is supplied off board by what ever sized tank is suitable for the dive. This connects via a quick connect to a delrin manifold that splits the gas off to the ADV, Wing, and drysuit.
The ADV has been modified so it has a button that pushes against the ADV diaphragm to add more diluent when required. Another Manual add valve for diluent much like the O 2 add valve will be added shortly.
My main aim for the set up was to try and keep it as clean as possible. Especially after diving with a couple of other RB divers who seem to have hoses, pipes, displays, valves and wotsits hanging everywhere. So far I am very pleased with the outcome and feels its a well laid out design. But who know, I may soon feel the need for more hoses, pipes and wotsits.
So whats next?
Add a crotch strap to the harness.
Change the DIL set up with addition of a swaglok quick connect and MAV (Manual add valve )
Water trap.
Set it up for twin scrubbers again.
Add a 3rd O2 sensor using another P Port and connect it up to a VR3 computer.
Add a BOV ( Bail Out Valve).
Add a small 1 Litre tank dedicated to wing and drysuit inflation
