Rebreather Death @ Bainbridge, PA

[Friggincold]

Any North East Divers know what kind of rebreather the diver was using? From what I have read he died Saturday afternoon.
http://www.lancasteronline.com/sunday_news/diversa4.shtm
Friggincold

 

[O-ring]

I hope this death wasn't related directly to the rebreather again...maybe some rebreather divers on the list can give me a clue why they use these things. I cannot come up with a reason for using one outside of extreme depths and or penetrations that are beyond the realm of using open circuit with stage bottles. It seems overly risky to me to use one for recreational diving, but, like I said, maybe someone will clue me in.

"This is very technical diving," Mutchler said.

Don't you mean taking very straightforward diving and complicating it with a rebreather?

Most divers use an oxygen canister on their backs to breathe while expelling carbon dioxide out through a vent. That, Mutchler said, is what makes the bubbles people typically see.

Do these divers ever go below 20'?

 

[O-ring]

As always, thoughts and prayers to the family..

 

[jbd]

Buddy Inspiration "heart attack" ?

 

[O-ring]

Whats a..... Buddy Inspiration "heart attack" ?

From what I have read, Buddy Inspiration users have an inordinate number of deaths that get labeled as heart attacks. As a matter of fact, a lot of open circuit deaths are also labeled all sorts of weird stuff since the examiners aren't necessarily looking for the actual cause as related to the dive the person was on.

For example, a death may be labeled as air embolism, but what actually caused the death was oxtox/drowning and the buddy shot the body to the surface and the embolism basically occured post mortem.

Anyway, I don't get the Buddy thing...I mean can you imagine the stack of bodies we would have if open circuit killed the same percentage of its users as these contraptions do? IMHO, it comes down to using the right tool for the job. I can't imagine most people doing the kind of diving that requires a CCR. If you are doing some ungodly deep cave penetration and you can't possibly stash or carry enough stage bottles to safely stay within your gas management guidelines, then maybe I can see using one. Using them for wreck dives in the NE or in any other situation that could just as easily be accomplished with a set of double 80s and a stage or 3 seems overly risky in my opinion.

 

[WreckWriter]

Not long ago it was felt tremendously risky to dive trimix. I think that CCR and SCR technology is the future of technical diving. Unfortunately these accidents are part of the price of that future. Yes, there's still a ways to go but look how far they have come in the last few years.

My bet is that within 5 years CCR/SCR rigs will be as common, and as safe, as doubles are now. Although I don't yet dive a breather, I hope to be there and be involved at that time.

Tom

 

[O-ring]

My bet is that within 5 years CCR/SCR rigs will be as common, and as safe, as doubles are now. Although I don't yet dive a breather, I hope to be there and be involved at that time.

My LDS keeps trying to convince me to try the one they have in the pool (Drager SCR), but I am still skeptical.

 

[JamesK]

Tom,

You are right, their was a time that TriMix was dangerous. Their was a time that Nitrox was dangerous. Heck their was a time that SCUBA in general was dengerous. It happens to be that time for rebreathers. That does not make it any better though. The fact is that ALL rebreathers are dangerous and tremendously risky. Some just have a better track record of bringing the divers back alive. Personally, I will wait to use on euntil they day that they are as popular, and safe, as a set of doubles.

 

[WreckWriter]

JamesK once bubbled...
That does not make it any better though. The fact is that ALL rebreathers are dangerous and tremendously risky.

Yea, you're right, at this time they seem to be very dangerous. It also appears, although this may be a trick of numbers, that one type is most dangerous of all.

I'll also be waiting a while.

Tom

 

[MikeS]

I was with Bobby on the dive and would like to ask the divers on the board a personal favor. Please do not start speculating on what happened or start using this to advance personal agendas. In return I will provide you with everything I know about the incident.

Up till now I have not posted anything about this on the board in the hopes that all of the facts would be in before I did so.

Bobby was the most competent diver I knew. He was my respected instructor and diving mentor, the last person in the world that I would ever have imagined this happening to. I was honored to be his friend.

Not only is his passing a great tragedy for his family but the diving community will also sorely miss him.

Mike