Rebreathers - What's the total cost?

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roughwater

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Hi,

I have just been looking at some rebreather articles, etc, and was wondering if anyone can tell me the costs involved (including time) for maintenance. (Not after a purchase price, but the extra's).

It's my understanding, that unlike an open circuit reg (refil the tank, and rinse your regs), rebreathers take substantial more time to maintain (and cost).

I've heard about the need to replace CO2 filters, O2 sensors, and Helium (???). I was wondering if anyone could comment on what they believe it costs them per dive (or over a period of xxx dives, etc) to own a rebreather, both in time, and in cash? (And how often these things need to be changed, etc).

Thanks

Adam.
 
You might try posting this on RebreatherWorld to get a more comprehensive answer.

A lot will depend on the particular rebreather you're looking at.

I'm currently looking at a Meg and expecting the cost to run about $15k before I can do my first "non-training" dive.

That includes a price of about $9k for the unit itself, options and extras are gonna be extra, pushing the total close to $10.

Training alone is gonna run about $1500. I've already spent a few hundred on books in preparation for the class.



Then there is travel to get there, accomodations, gas/sorb fills, travel to dive sites, any associated fees with the sites.

So yeah, I'm thinking close to $15 based on my own calculations and others who have gone that route.

There are cheaper units out there tho, this is just the one I want, so YMMV.

Maintenance costs and cost per dive is not included in my figures.
 
In order to answer your question, you need understand that there are different rebrethers and they each have different costs, features, and maintainance requirements; however, most are somewhat similar, especially from a relative cost standpoint. Three to four months ago, I purchase a Dive Rite Optima Closed-Circuit Rebreather, so I'd be happy to breakdown my experience of the costs and time involved:

First, there's the rebreather, which cost me approximately $7K. Then you need to buy tanks for it (twin 13 cu ft doubles), which cost me another $400 or so. Then you need to buy the wing and back plate for your rebreather - I went with a Dive Rite Nomad system, which comes with the soft Transpac backplate and a side mount kit, that cost me another $700 or so.

So by my math, I'm already at approximately $8K+

The next item is training, which can vary a bit, depending on the instructor and the structure of the class. Mine was done locally with a top notch Optima instructor (Mark from Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale and Dive Rite Express). My class was essentially done as a provate class at my convenience. It took a few weeks, after completing a few days of equipment assembly and lectures, because we scheduled the dives (8 dives) when schedules permitted - That cost me $2000, with all boat fees, fills and consumables included.

So, now we're comfortably over $10K

For the class, you need a bailout (pony) bottle with a regulator. Some people use an onboard bailout system, but the truth is, unless you have very large tanks within your rebreather, it's not enough gas, so most use an external bailout. Many people have them, so they do not have to purchase them again. A forty cu ft tank is the ideal tank, with its own individual o2 clean regulator. If you do not own that, then that will run you approx. $400 to $500, depending on the regulator and where you buy it.

So, now your somewhere around $10,500 or so.

After completing my training, and also taking into consideration that I was going to use the computer for deep decompression wreck diving, I realized how unreliable the oxygen sensors on rebreather actually are; consequently, I made the decision to add a fourth sensor and connect it to an independant computer that calculated decompression based on the fourth cell (an additional safety consideration). I chose to purchase a VR3 computer and added all the bells and whistles they sell for it (i.e., color screen, VPM decompression modeling, large screen lettering option, computer downloading option, etc.) - That set me back somewhere close to $2,500 or so.

So, now your at about $13,000 or so.

Please keep in mind, that everytime I walk into a dive shop, there's always something to purchase, I never leave empty handed. That phenomenom is somehow multiplied when you have a rebreather, especially at first. Things like reels, lift bags, spare parts, batteries, loop cleaning supplies, etc. (there's a lot more I left out) are essential to owning a rebreather. I also bought an extra set of doubles, so I don't have to run to the dive shop so often for fills. Assume that by the time you complete your training, you'll of spent another $500 to $1k more on stuff you need.

That essentialy brings your grand total to approximately $13,500 to $14k or so. the truth is, after I looked back at my credit card statements, it was probably closer to $15,000, but when you've already spent that much money, what's another couple of thousand dollars!

With regards to time, you need to understand that rebreathers are very safe, but only because they require meticulous attention to detail. The entire unit should be systematically disassembled and cleaned, and the loop disinfected, each time it's used. this takes time (aprox. 30 - 45 minutes for me). Assembly, should also be done via a check list, to ensure that no crucial steps are ommitted. The detailed steps are designed to ensure that each critical component is tested for function and accuracy - This should take you approximately 1 hour at first, but you will get quicker as you practice and should be able to complete it in about 30 to 45 minutes on an onging basis. Remember, there are a lot of components that can fail, so one usually assembles at least the day before, which will give you plenty of time to troubleshoot any problems before the dive.

With regard to onging scrubber costs, my unit does not use granular scrubber, it uses Extended Air Cartridges (EAC). Each EAC costs about $30 and is good for approximately 4 hous of use, but that is a subject of great controversy. Furthermore, once you've used one for one or two dives, it's shelf life is limited - I never store mine more than a week, so it's not uncommon for me to throw one away after two dives, if I am not going to or the weather does not permit me to dive the next weekend. I've heard that granular scrubber material will run you about $20 for the 4 hour period, but I'm not the best source to confirm that with. I usually but the cartridges by the 4-pack and that runs me a bit less than $120.

With regards to gas, I am fortunate, my local dive shop, Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale) caters exclusively to rebreather and technical divers. They bank several different nitrox and trimix gases, so it's very convinient. They also have oxygen in banks, so it's very quick to get almost any fill. They charge a flat rate for rebreather fills, which might seem expensive at $20, but it's so fast and convenient, that I absolutely do not mind the cost. However, remember, one fill will last me for approximately 4 hours underwater, so when I go out for a 4 tank dive - no tank switching onboard during the entire trip. There's also the cost of the bailout gases, usually some form of nitrox, but that usually goes for standard nitrox rates or approx. $5 to $6 per fill. I usually never use my bailout, but I do switch the gas to ensure that I have the ideal bailout for the diving I am doing that day.

This is simply a summary of what my experience(s). I encourage you to get feedback from other rebreather users, because all units are different and have different costs associated with them. However, if you're going to buy one, I encourage you to assume that you will always spend more money than you initially thought, because that's usually the case and many of the decisions that you will be making that will cost you $ will usually improve your safety underwater, and how could you ever put a price on that!

Good luck to you and safe diving!
 
Wow that's awesome detail. I too am considering making the plunge into rebreathers soon (maybe more later than sooner now, hehe) and this is really helpful. Thanks!
 
I would just like to point out that SFLDiver3445's breakdown was well written but has a rather overinflated estimate for most people. First of all the $2500 expense for a 4th cell and integrated computer is completely unnessasary and the statement that adding a 4th cell to a rebreather (that you are now allowing 1 cell to control your deco) is added safety is false. Most divers own regs backplates and many of the essentials of diving and since a diver would incur those costs anyway when diving open circuit they should not be part of the equation. The cost of the prepacked extend air cartidges were one factor that steered me away from the Optima as the unit I dive now allows me to pack my own scrubber and loose absorbant is much easier to obtain for alot less money, especially in remote locations.
Bottom line is you should be able to get a fully functioning rebreather such as a megalodon for around $10k and training for that unit is $1500 just about anywhere.
Again not to contradict SFLDiver3445's well written post I just wanted to point out there may be less expensive paths to take.
 
Expect a unit with all the trimmings and training to be about $12k (assuming you have nothing to transfer over) Then you will buy CO2 sorB and gas fills at about $20 per 3-4 hours of diving.

The initial investment is about $5k more than a standard set of tech gear but you make it up in gas savings and more dive time.

Cheers
 
Bottom line is you should be able to get a fully functioning rebreather such as a megalodon for around $10k and training for that unit is $1500 just about anywhere.
Again not to contradict SFLDiver3445's well written post I just wanted to point out there may be less expensive paths to take.

Your figures really don't include any incidentals though. Depending on where you take your training at there may be boat fees, travel costs, accomodations for a week or more etc.

There are a variety of rebreathers out there with a wide range of options and prices. When choosing a rebreather, you should decide what type of diving you're planning to do and then look at the ones that meet that criteria. There is no "one size fits all."

After you've narrowed the choices, talk to others that dive that unit. That is the best source for finding out about all those little overlooked items. What does it really cost to dive the unit? Fills, sorb, cell replacement, other incidentals? What type of maintanence is required? How much is user serviceable? How reliable is it?

A rebreather is a major purchase for most people. A fully equipped unit can cost as much as many used cars (and some new ones!) It only makes sense to research it as thoroughly and carefully as possible before taking the plunge.
 
Thanks guys for your answers...

SFLDiver - from what you've posted, I can expect the ongoing maintenance cost to be similar to Open Circuit (if taken into account multiple dives). And I'm getting the feeling that the total time required for each dive looks like 60-90 minutes per dive. (taking into account preparation before dive, and cleaning after). Thank you very much for that detailed reply!

I've also checked out those links of DiveRightExpress'es. Thanks for those, quite informative. Looks like the ongoing costs and maintenance is quite reasonable, (although I won't be cleaning the pool out with one :)). Just that initial purchase / setup cost that's the big killer.

Cheers

Adam.
 
to give the wifes (if you have one) perspective, i can comment on hubbys recent purchase of his MEG

he claims it was only $13K but i do the taxes and by the time you add the flights/training/accomodation/car rental/new bpw/narked @ 90 stand (optional)/sorb/o2 analysier/christo luby stuff/tanks/bailout... well i went numb at $18K

ongoing cost - $20 per 3ltr tank O2 fills, $7 per syring for lube, $100 per 20kgs tub sorb, $100 per o2 sensor sells, hubbys happiness, priceless

i have been told by divers that use thier units for 300ft+ dives that after 2 years they unit becomes cost effective when compared to the cost of mix tank fills

cheers
 

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