Rebreather experience at Dive Pros 9-19-09

[wjefferis]

Dive Pros is hosting a rebreather experience taught by Heather Armstrong and Greg Stanton. Here is the info if anyone is interested:

Join us for a Rebreather Experience session at Dive Pros in Pensacola, FL on Saturday, September 19th. We’ll be working with the Dive Pros team and Gregg Stanton of Wakulla Dive Center in Crawfordville, FL to allow any diver who is curious about closed circuit rebreathers to learn more about them and even get a chance to try them out in the pool.



There will be a wide selection of units available so this will be a unique opportunity to see a wide variety of rebreathers in one place. We’ll have people on hand to answer all your questions about how rebreathers work, what advantages they offer and how to get the necessary training yourself if you’re interested.



There will be a morning and afternoon session, with lunch being provided in between. Be sure to register early. Call Dive Pros at 850.456.8845 and reserve your spot today. Cost is only $20 per person.

 

[GLENFWB]

I took cavern training with Gregg Stanton, Wakulla Dive Center. Let me just say, this guy is a walking encyclopedia....I learned so much about the physiology involved in diving from Gregg Stanton during cavern class. I really have no desire to dive rebreathers, but I think I will go just to learn more about them, and get some good information.

 

[DogHouseDiver]

I had a great time at the Dive Pro's Rebreather Experience hosted by Gregg Stanton (and others). I also took Cavern training from Gregg, who is a marine biologist and rebreather developer. There were about 12 rebreather rigs available, and I was able to dive the Apocolypse, Kiss, Dive Rite O2ptima, Ouroboros, and others. I didn't get to dive the Megadolon this time, after a short lecture and 3 hours pool time, I just didn't get to dive them all.

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!! I HIGHLY recommend ANYONE considering rebreathers to seek out one of these demos and try as much as you can before purchasing. Rebreathers are probably farther out in my diving future, but I did learn that no amount of product literature can substitute for in-water experience. Some of the most expensive models were my least favorite, some of the cheapest performed best, with some minor adjustments, etc. I've understood that most folks pick a model based on what they read, then make a purchase, then get trained. I think it is very important to try these before buying, even if the costs is several hundred dollars for the experience.

I'd like to thank all that put this even on for us, at the amazing price of $20. That could not have covered the cost of fuel and sorb for the event, ok, maybe just barely broke even. But in my humble opinion, this experience provided mountains of hands-on experience that will drive my decisions in the rebreather world in the future. I know now what to look for, and what to feel, a few years down the road. I know what features that I personally would find important, and what I'm hoping to see develop in the future before I'm ready to make the leap.

For now, I'll stick to the financial confines of open circuit, but I'm looking forward to developments in my favorite models going forward. I think Gregg Stanton's philosphy is accurate, rebreather training should be generic, non-equipment specific fundamentals pre-purchase. Then once the diver has had a chance to truly understand their dive goals and comfort levels they can choose the right unit.

Thank you all for a great event!

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Glad the workshop went well! Thanks for the report DHD

 

[Dive-aholic]

Which session were you there for DHD? I was at the afternoon session. It was a great experience. I got to try the Meg and the Optima, which were the ones I was interested in checking out. I had already tried the KISS at another event up north. Slowly narrowing down the options...

 

[DogHouseDiver]

Hey Rob, I was at the morning session, the guy with the floppy green boonie hat that carried the Apocalypse into the table where you were sitting. I wanted to chit chat with you, because I have been thinking of working toward Intro/Cave as soon as the ink dries on my cavern card and I have a few more dives on it. Bugman told me to meet up with you. But Gregg was already into the big show, so I scooted out of there so as not to distract.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Okay, I remember you. It's too bad we didn't have time to chat real quick. I'm sure we'll come across each other again soon.