Level of Experience for CCR

[TheBigPhillyFish]

Well since I have made the decision to buy an Inspiration CCR. I decided to look around here and the rest of the net to see what kind of experience most CCR divers had. I also purchased the TDI Inspiration / Evolution Rebreather Manual to read and prepare for the course. Having a little over 60 dives under my belt, which compared to most is very low. The people who I spoke with about the Inspiration, who I dive with on somewhat of a regular basis, stated "besides economics, why not?". I really don't intend to do anything beyond recreational depth for a while, till at least I get the 50 hours on the CCR and a few more of the CCR courses.

I wanted to see what other CCR divers thought about this. Do you find any reason why I shouldn't be diving CCR? The biggest reason for my switch to CCR is I am an underwater video addict, and I want that edge of getting closer to marine life without disturbing them. And the Inspiration CCR seems to be the best asset to help me with that.

So I know I am opening myself up to some criticism, but I am curious to see what experienced CCR divers think. Thanks, and try to be slightly gentle.

 

[Thalassamania]

You need to be very careful and deliberate. Your experience is on the light side os things, and (in my experience) photographers tend to be a bit extreme and make either great CCR pilots (those who are meticulous technicians) or rather poor CCR pilots (those who are so distracted by their subject and the composition that even an oxygen alarm is hard pressed to disrupt their concentration.) Which are you? You needent tell me, but take care not to lie to yourself, your life may depend on your self knowledge.

 

[sea2summit]

60 dives is OK if your skills and knowledge are solid. I like having some background in OC tec stuff as I think it makes me a better CCR diver but as long as you pay attention to rules, practice your drills, and double check your SAC once in a while you're all good.

Inspro is a pretty big/clunky unit to just take to recreational depths... if you plan to move on after that 50hrs you talk about than great for you. Someone smarter than me probably gave you that 50hrs mark but don't look at that as the "I have 50hrs now I'm fine" ensure YOU are comfortable then get someone elses opinion on if you are comfortable.

I wouldn't count on doing a lot of video real soon. Get to know the unit real so you get over the initial task loading associated with CCR diving and your boyancy is going to be a whole new skill, especially for videoing.

 

[ScubaAl]

I made the switch to the Inspiration RB last year. It has reinvigorated my diving. I dove OC for over 20yrs. this made the switch more difficult then I had expected. Old habits hard to break and all that. But after many frustrating dives I'm now much more comfortable with the unit.
I see no real problem making the move with only 60 dives under your belt. If anything you will save many $$$$$ in OC equipment that can go towards a RB.
After your training I would just leave the camera at home till you feel comfortable with the rebreather.
I purchased the Inspiration travel frame this year and seems to make the unit easier to break down and handle.

Good Luck, Al

 

[Mr.X]

Do you find any reason why I shouldn't be diving CCR? The biggest reason for my switch to CCR is I am an underwater video addict, and I want that edge of getting closer to marine life without disturbing them. And the Inspiration CCR seems to be the best asset to help me with that.

So I know I am opening myself up to some criticism, but I am curious to see what experienced CCR divers think. Thanks, and try to be slightly gentle.

CCR's are great tools for those marine-shy animal videos. That being said I use CCR and OC for a lot of the video work that I do. What method I use is entirely dependent upon where I am (available support) and what I am filming.

In the end (for me) it doesn't matter too much as to what type of kit I am using. Overall OC is my preferred method of diving these days as it's easier to set up (quickness counts for those unexpected moments), less problematic in the long run (electronics) and requires very little monitoring aside from looking at the pressure gauge. I also say this as a CCR instructor.

Here's a question - where do you expect to use it and what do you expect to film?

Example: My last dives had me filming in very, very silty conditions during a virgin cave push. It was a CCR-only type of dive. Impossible with OC due to overhead silting. During the weeklong push the electronics had issues. In fact, every electronically controlled CCR I have had, or used have had electronic issues. With OC very little in the way of down time dealing with sensors, calibration etc.

So, the question is if you are doing CCR video diving does it really pay in the end?

Cheers,

X

 

[WD8CDH]

<snip> During the weeklong push the electronics had issues. In fact, every electronically controlled CCR I have had, or used have had electronic issues. <snip>Cheers,

X

I have many many hours on both types or RBs and have had the same experiences. That is why I prefer mCCR. In fact, I ended up converting every eCCR that I have owned or regularly used to mCCR (KISS style) with redundant PO2 monitoring.

As far as prior OC experience, there are advantages and disadvantages. As Al mentioned, old habits are hard to change. Buoyancy control by breath control just doesn't work with an RB. That can really mess up a photographer used to using that control on OC while shooting.

If you are careful and deliberate and start your RB diving in a non strenuous environment, even starting RB with no OC experience is possible.

 

[I Dive]

Buoyancy control by breath control just doesn't work with an RB. That can really mess up a photographer used to using that control on OC while shooting.

Why doesn't breath control affect bouyancy on an RB?

 

[Rick Inman]

I have 16 hours on my Inspo (with Hammerhead electronics) and my full on Mod 1 & 2 class starts today, so I'm as nOOb on a CCR as one can get.

I have several years and a couple thousand dives and full trimix cert to 300'. Still, the transition is a very serious one for me. From what I've seen so far, all the OC technical experience, including gas planning and emergency situational response training is foundational for my CCR diving. Although many people do make the transition to CCR from just recreational diving, now that I know what I know, I'm sure glad I'm not one of them.

Frankly, as much as I am enjoying the transition to CCR, this convoluted stroke machine still scares the heck out of me. I really love my Inspo, now that I have made the modifications on it, but it's still just a bag of failures waiting to happen. And dealing with failures to the level possible on this wind-bag isn't something they taught me in the PADI classes. The tech training was closer. Oh, and we dive our eCCRs as mCCRs, with the electronics for backup.

I wouldn't wasted all this time and money if my main tech buddy hadn't gone CCR, and if the CCR didn't address several deep diving issues so well (like gas and time on dives below 200', travel to tech locations, etc). Although I am a gear-head and love working on all the geeky stuff that comes with a CCR.

To each his/her own. But at this point, if I ever give up the deep stuff, I'll just go back to my doubles.

 

[Bryan T]

Why doesn't breath control affect bouyancy on an RB?

It doesnt affect your bouyancy because you are just moving the air from your lungs to your counterlungs or the reverse. so the total volume doesnt usualy change.

Hope this helps

 

[wedivebc]

I don't think the number of dives you have completed is as important as the correct attitude for CCR diving. You life depends on your ability to follow procedures and training to the letter. If you are willing to treat RB diving with the same care a pilot treats a pre flight procedure then you probably have the right attitude for RB diving. If you treat your RB like an old bicycle then you should probably stick to OC diving.