Hi folks;
I'm a very active (over 100 dives in a year) diver who mixes his own Nitrox, dives into deco on purpose, does overheads, and lives in a place about to get (we hope!) an Aircraft carrier with depths that will eventually lead me to want to dive 'Mix.
Ok, so which way do I go here?
What am I talking about?
CCR - or OC?
Now, with the exception of spearfishing (which is illegal in Florida on a RB) the rest of my diving would appear to benefit from a CCR. I currently dive doubles, and they're heavy. If I start to add stages or deco bottles, they get real heavy. The "ready to dive" config of most CCR RBs I've looked at is lighter than just my set of doubles - and that's the complete kit, including harness. I also shoot video, and the lack of bubbles I'd think would promote a LOT more contact with the fauna of the ocean.
While I'd have to carry a separate bailout bottle on some deeper dives, I still suspect the weight equation favors the CCR. The gas cost issue definitely does, even today, and as He goes up in cost (and it will!) this will get even more extreme. Yes, there is the 'sorb cost, but that's balanced by greatly reduced gas expense.
There is also the comfort factor (no more dry, cold inhalations) which likely would have a significant impact on overall dive comfort and warmth.
Any thoughts? Comparisons between the different CCR RBs out there? What is the REAL cost (investment), split between training and machine, required to "make the jump"?
I'm a very active (over 100 dives in a year) diver who mixes his own Nitrox, dives into deco on purpose, does overheads, and lives in a place about to get (we hope!) an Aircraft carrier with depths that will eventually lead me to want to dive 'Mix.
Ok, so which way do I go here?
What am I talking about?
CCR - or OC?
Now, with the exception of spearfishing (which is illegal in Florida on a RB) the rest of my diving would appear to benefit from a CCR. I currently dive doubles, and they're heavy. If I start to add stages or deco bottles, they get real heavy. The "ready to dive" config of most CCR RBs I've looked at is lighter than just my set of doubles - and that's the complete kit, including harness. I also shoot video, and the lack of bubbles I'd think would promote a LOT more contact with the fauna of the ocean.
While I'd have to carry a separate bailout bottle on some deeper dives, I still suspect the weight equation favors the CCR. The gas cost issue definitely does, even today, and as He goes up in cost (and it will!) this will get even more extreme. Yes, there is the 'sorb cost, but that's balanced by greatly reduced gas expense.
There is also the comfort factor (no more dry, cold inhalations) which likely would have a significant impact on overall dive comfort and warmth.
Any thoughts? Comparisons between the different CCR RBs out there? What is the REAL cost (investment), split between training and machine, required to "make the jump"?