Is CCR the right route for me?

[nedrud]

Hi all new to the forum, signed up to try get some advice on what route to take in my “recreational” diving career.

Based in UK and been diving since about 2022. Got padi OW, advanced, deep, rescue, sidemount, wreck, first aid, nitrox. Only dive recreationally when on holiday.

Pretty much did them all one right after the other, did not find it that challenging, so recently did tdi IIT/AN/DP. Primarily only found the hands on side of things slightly challenging but not too bad. Things like maintaining breathing pattern whilst changing to deco gas and mask swaps but have it fairly dialled in now since finishing DP a few days ago. Classroom side of things - no issues for me.

Again finding myself a bit bored and not sure on what route to take next. I did a 1 day 2 dive intro on the titan rebreather and found it pretty fun/interesting. So contemplating going down the ccr route. I suppose other than ccr its the trimix/helitrox route? Mixed gas route puts me off because im limited to needing to find a dive shop that does tech, and adhering to their timetables when im on holiday etc. where as if i have a ccr abroad with me i can just go for a 2 hour semi shallow/40m swim for fun.

My main goal is primarily to be able to have my own kit i can easily transport around the world, if i have to rely on a dive center for things like filling deco gas thats fine, but i want this to be as minimal as possible. I travel the world a lot, and basically want to be able to dive on my own at any time, anywhere, without having to rely on others / dive shops as much as possible. Depth wise; i dont care about crazy depths of 100m+. I would be super interested in learning the skills to do depths of 100m or so, but primarily i just want to be able to go anywhere in the world with my own kit and do 1-2hr dives. Mostly upto 50/60m would be fine.

I read a lot on this forum that ccr users go solo a lot so its an appealing aspect. I have been doing about 20-40 dives a year and think i have around 100+ dives so far including all aforementioned training dives. I mostly enjoy just learning new skills, including practising simulations of things going wrong on a dive, learning to use new equipment, as opposed to looking at fish etc.

Not interested in cave diving at all, unless its something really interesting like things ive heard of in mexico. Wrecks are ok.

Financially wise not looking for a route that will break the bank, but happy to invest in a ccr obviously. Used or new? Heard mixed reviews on both on this forum?

Maintenance wise, i have a background in mechanical electrical engineering. So definitely want something i can mostly fully maintain myself and not have to ship off once a year for a service. I know most or all rebreathers need new o2 sensors once a year. Is this a strictly once a year rule, or can it be say every 50 dives etc?

Obviously i have a lot of questions. Just trying to figure out what direction i should head in now. From my research so far im strongly considering a light weight or side mount ccr. So Any advice and opinions appreciated !

 

[Pavao]

Again finding myself a bit bored and not sure on what route to take next. .

I mostly enjoy just learning new skills, including practising simulations of things going wrong on a dive, learning to use new equipment, as opposed to looking at fish etc.

I’m interested in what’s down there, that’s my motivation to dive, and I’d assume it’s the same for most divers, how and with what equipment we do it, is largely motivated by how much of what’s down there I want to see, or where it is.

If some wrecks were shallower and I could dive them without incurring decompression, I’d much rather dive that way then sitting in mid water doing boring decompression, it’s no wonder we call it the penalty for doing a deep dive.

A rebreather allows me to stay down for longer looking at stuff I went down to look at, the added complexity is the penalty for that, it’s hard to beat the simplicity of a single tank OC dive.

If you’re bored now with such a short time from getting certified, I feel you’ll just be bored for longer underwater in a CCR, I can understand some people enjoy more of the technical aspect and geek side of things rather than what’s down there, and it’s not a right or wrong thing, but I can see you’ll just be chasing the next class and latest and greatest, dive shops loves you, be aware of that.

 

[nedrud]

I’m interested in what’s down there, that’s my motivation to dive, and I’d assume it’s the same for most divers, how and with what equipment we do it, is largely motivated by how much of what’s down there I want to see, or where it is.

If some wrecks were shallower and I could dive them without incurring decompression, I’d much rather dive that way then sitting in mid water doing boring decompression, it’s no wonder we call it the penalty for doing a deep dive.

A rebreather allows me to stay down for longer looking at stuff I went down to look at, the added complexity is the penalty for that, it’s hard to beat the simplicity of a single tank OC dive.

If you’re bored now with such a short time from getting certified, I feel you’ll just be bored for longer underwater in a CCR, I can understand some people enjoy more of the technical aspect and geek side of things rather than what’s down there, and it’s not a right or wrong thing, but I can see you’ll just be chasing the next class and latest and greatest, dive shops loves you, be aware of that.

I know what you mean but i would either learn gas mixes like trimix, or just be content diving a ccr to maybe 100m max and start learning a new hobby!

 

[SavageSeaCow]

As a holiday diver a rebreather is probably not the right path for you. The complexity is significant enough that it needs pretty constant refreshing of skills. Even now with hundreds of hours, if I’m dry for more than a couple weeks I start to feel a bit rusty. Learning it is not the challenge. Diving it safely over the years will be much harder if you are not dedicated to frequent practice. I’d say unless you diving it at least monthly the expense and risk just doesn’t make sense.

 

[broncobowsher]

AN/DP, Ok you are doing a little deeper and a little longer.
Just reading through what you are describing, it looks like a pretty good match to you.
Travel, there are some that are much more travel friendly than others. I can't comment on the Triton, don't have that one, don't even know anyone who has that one.
Sorb is usually the bigger challenge to get than the gasses when traveling.

I have enjoyed doing recreational dives on my rEvo. When I first got it I was just building hours and did a recreational trip to the U352. Big boat, lots of people. I was the only rebreather on the boat. And it has opened a lot of travel options as well. A couple trips to Truk. After doing it on a rebreather, I couldn't imagine it on open circuit. So much stuff I would have missed.

 

[nedrud]

AN/DP, Ok you are doing a little deeper and a little longer.
Just reading through what you are describing, it looks like a pretty good match to you.
Travel, there are some that are much more travel friendly than others. I can't comment on the Triton, don't have that one, don't even know anyone who has that one.
Sorb is usually the bigger challenge to get than the gasses when traveling.

I have enjoyed doing recreational dives on my rEvo. When I first got it I was just building hours and did a recreational trip to the U352. Big boat, lots of people. I was the only rebreather on the boat. And it has opened a lot of travel options as well. A couple trips to Truk. After doing it on a rebreather, I couldn't imagine it on open circuit. So much stuff I would have missed.

Is it really that hard to fly with sofnolime/sorb?

I can only find people talking about travelling with it in checked luggage. Never hand luggage. I see its usually sold in large 20kg or so tubs. And you have to fill your ccr with it. Meaning its exposed openly briefly. So correct me if im wrong i dont see why it would be an issue to just take it as carry on in a plastic tub or heavy duty ziplok bags. Can be opened and tested for drugs and explosives and will pass and you'll be on your way?

How is the maintenance anyway on the rEvo? Doable yourself without sending it away to manufacturer ?

 

[jale]

You said you "did a 1 day 2 dive intro on the titan rebreather". You really mean the Titan or the Triton ?
Indeed, the Titan is not produced anymore !
Traveling with a Triton is easy but your wanting to have as little contact with shops is going to be a problem when on the move as you will need lime, oxy and certainly a boat as shore diving is not done everywhere.
Lime can be taken with you on the plane in checked luggage without problem. But at destination you will still need tanks and gases.
You need a reality check in the sense that even small ccr are "logistically heavy".

 

[AeroSpartacus]

I know most or all rebreathers need new o2 sensors once a year. Is this a strictly once a year rule, or can it be say every 50 dives etc?

Yes, you really should replace them based on time, not usage. Even sensors that aren't being used at all will "go bad". They should have a use-by date printed on them. It does add a bit of cost, but the risk isn't worth stretching it in my opinion. You may have to replace them early as well, if you find that a sensor is off; your course should go over this.

I haven't traveled with my unit yet (though it is relatively travel friendly), but in general rebreathers do add a lot of "stuff" to your diving. I think whether you're okay with that or not might be one of the big questions to consider. Depending on the unit, you might need 20-30+ minutes prior to the dive to build the unit and run checks (as well as some time to disassemble/clean after). If you're wanting to do dives that could also be done with doubles/sidemount open circuit, or you're diving with someone without a rebreather, maybe it's not worth it to you when you could have just jumped in with a tank and gone about the dive?

For me, I like the technical side of how everything works, and it sounds like you would as well. I also mostly do cave dives, so even dives I could do open circuit, I like to have the additional time a rebreather gives me if something were to go wrong.

 

[nedrud]

You said you "did a 1 day 2 dive intro on the titan rebreather". You really mean the Titan or the Triton ?
Indeed, the Titan is not produced anymore !
Traveling with a Triton is easy but your wanting to have as little contact with shops is going to be a problem when on the move as you will need lime, oxy and certainly a boat as shore diving is not done everywhere.
Lime can be taken with you on the plane in checked luggage without problem. But at destination you will still need tanks and gases.
You need a reality check in the sense that even small ccr are "logistically heavy".

Typo! Was triton Poseidon mccr, not titan.

By “little contact as possible” with shops i dont mean no contact st all.

I mean more like, i dont want to have an issue of being in a location that has no tec shops, or only has basic padi ow shops that might get funny to fill a ccr tanks with whatever mix i need. I just want to be reliant on myself and my equipment as much as possible.

Weight is no problem, no need for a reality check. I have numerous other hobbies for which i fly with 10/20+kg of hand luggage all varying from photography to climbing and backcountry skiing. There are numerous ccrs that can fit into a peli 1535. Just looking for advice on which route to take so i can be as independent from dive shops as possible

 

[broncobowsher]

Is it really that hard to fly with sofnolime/sorb?

I can only find people talking about travelling with it in checked luggage. Never hand luggage. I see its usually sold in large 20kg or so tubs. And you have to fill your ccr with it. Meaning its exposed openly briefly. So correct me if im wrong i dont see why it would be an issue to just take it as carry on in a plastic tub or heavy duty ziplok bags. Can be opened and tested for drugs and explosives and will pass and you'll be on your way?

How is the maintenance anyway on the rEvo? Doable yourself without sending it away to manufacturer ?

Flying with it really eats your luggage allowance. Pretty close to a whole dedicated bag just for sorb. 20kg is 44 pounds.
White powder in a zip lock bag, that isn't going to fly well. I've thought about the smaller containers but they are not commonly available. Really need to keep the MSDS and the airlines allowable cargo guides with it. Something like a Choptima running extendair cartridges will have less issues they trying to get through customs with a plastic bag of white powder.

I've flown with a keg once. I really try to source sorb at the destination over trying to haul it if possible. If ordering, have it drop shipped at the location is another option.

Then there is the planning. How much will you use, what to do with the left over. My U352 I got lucky and had a friend I was meeting who was doing a long motorhome trip. A couple months after the dives, he got home and I got the rest of the keg back.