Rebreather Seizure?

[pelagic_one]

Was it an urban legend in the past that if someone found out you had a rebreather, then Navy Seals would kick your door in, hold you at gunpoint and take your equipment? Did that happen? If so, when did rebreathers become "legal?" Did anyone ever care if you had one?

 

[chaad]

Uhh... rebreathers have never been illegal in the USA. I've never heard of that "urban legend".

 

[Wibble]

There was the person who sold (Belgian Revo) rebreathers to the Libyans and was locked up for that in USofA.

Something about them being on the banned export list as weapons or suchlike.

Confuses the hell out of me as a European; the country with more guns and rights to have bare arms locking people up for selling something that's openly available elsewhere in the world.


Freedom!

 

[PEDiver]

Only if your name is Peter Sotis.

 

[mr_v]

There was the person who sold (Belgian Revo) rebreathers to the Libyans and was locked up for that in USofA.

Something about them being on the banned export list as weapons or suchlike.

Confuses the hell out of me as a European; the country with more guns and rights to have bare arms locking people up for selling something that's openly available elsewhere in the world.


Freedom!

In the US, you're not allowed to do business with questionable parties, e.g., known criminal or terror organization representatives, banned government entities, etc.. Also, there are restrictions on the type of goods you may export. For example, dual purpose goods, like rebreathers, cannot go to certain countries without serious custom reviews. The individual in question violated these laws despite receiving government warnings.

UK, EU have similar laws. If you do not believe me, consult your customs officials and see what happens when you export a prohibited item. See: The UK Sanctions List

 

[broncobowsher]

Never illegal in the states.
Now if you go to some other countries, things may not go so well. Even regular scuba gear can get you in trouble in some countries.

 

[doctormike]

I saw the title and assumed that this would be a thread about hyperoxia.

 

[Geo7]

There two parts to that story: as mentioned by previous posters above, rebreathers are considered "dual use" technology that can have military appplications, which makes them illegal to export to embargoed countries. And yes, one guy found out the hard way that those laws are being enforced.

The second part of the story is about buying a surplus Dräger LAR V without paperwork. It's not available to civilians, except some rare occasions, and who knows if its a grey area? Government agencies supposedly try to confiscate them (never heard at gunpoint though). @Iain wrote a great review mentioning this (but I can't find the source):

"However as a piece of military hardware still classified under the Arms Limitation Control Act it is still a very potent piece of equipment, you may wish to be discrete about your purchase."

 

[Pressurehead]

I saw the title and assumed that this would be a thread about hyperoxia.

This^^^^
Annoying click bait , and I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.
See who else 'bites'.

 

[broncobowsher]

I forgot about the Dragar stuff.
There can be some interesting national security stuff. Years ago we had some measurement equipment that were designed for ICBMs. As a US citizen, not a problem. But any non-US citizens around and they were required to be under lock and key. Not allowed access. Even with friendly countries.