Rebretaher resitance?

[slackercruster]

What is it like breathing through a rebreather? Is it like breathing through a snorkel in tern of feeling, low air resistance and sound?

Thanks

 

[scubanimal]

Not nearly as much resistance, but you can hear your breath if you are working hard. If your snorkel was a larger diameter and you are using out of the water, its a bit like that.

As you read the posting you'll see WOB (Work of Breathing) mentioned fairly often, that is akin to the resistance your speaking of. It varies by type of system, your position in the water column with respect to the counterlungs and the type of scrubber you are using.

As far as what is it like, the whole experience is very cool, hope you can try it someday.

 

[caveseeker7]

It's quite different from open circuit, more natural. The gas doesn't get "forced" in as it does with most high performance regs. When you exhale the thunderous noise of the bubbles is missing. You can actual hear noises underwater and there are plenty. The chemical scrubber that removes the CO2 generates moisture and heat, giving the gas a more comfortable feeling ast it is warm and moist, rather than cold and dry.

The work of breathing depends on a broad variety of factors, as mentioned the scrubber type and size, granule size of the absorbant, diameter of the gas path and stiffness of the valves that keep the gas going in one direction. Those are pretty much constant with each unit. Closed circuit systems are usually used with a minimum amount of gas in the loop while semi-closed systems vent some of the gas in the loop. That means the diver pushes some of the gas through the over pressure valve when breathing.

Another factor is the hydrostatic difference between the divers lungs and the counterlung(s) he breathes to and from. Backmounted counterlungs have a negative static lung load when diving in a normal postion since breathing counterlung position is above the diver's. Inhalation takes more effort than exhalation. When inversed that changes to the opposite effect, frequently described as 'chipmunk cheeks'. The same with front mounted CL, usually found on O2 rebreathers. The least hydrostatic difference occurs when counterlungs are placed over the shoulder of the diver and down the chest.

I own a unit with rear mounted CL and occasionally dive one with o-t-s lungs. The latter breathes considerably better, and does so in any orientation.
The rearmounted unit has a sweet spot that makes breathing very comfortable.

I prefer the feeling of diving a rebreather very much over diving open circuit.

 

[slackercruster]

Not nearly as much resistance, but you can hear your breath if you are working hard. If your snorkel was a larger diameter and you are using out of the water, its a bit like that.

As you read the posting you'll see WOB (Work of Breathing) mentioned fairly often, that is akin to the resistance your speaking of. It varies by type of system, your position in the water column with respect to the counterlungs and the type of scrubber you are using.

As far as what is it like, the whole experience is very cool, hope you can try it someday.

Do you mean more or less resistance than a snorkel?

 

[slackercruster]

It's quite different from open circuit, more natural. The gas doesn't get "forced" in as it does with most high performance regs. When you exhale the thunderous noise of the bubbles is missing. You can actual hear noises underwater and there are plenty. The chemical scrubber that removes the CO2 generates moisture and heat, giving the gas a more comfortable feeling ast it is warm and moist, rather than cold and dry.

The work of breathing depends on a broad variety of factors, as mentioned the scrubber type and size, granule size of the absorbant, diameter of the gas path and stiffness of the valves that keep the gas going in one direction. Those are pretty much constant with each unit. Closed circuit systems are usually used with a minimum amount of gas in the loop while semi-closed systems vent some of the gas in the loop. That means the diver pushes some of the gas through the over pressure valve when breathing.

Another factor is the hydrostatic difference between the divers lungs and the counterlung(s) he breathes to and from. Backmounted counterlungs have a negative static lung load when diving in a normal postion since breathing counterlung position is above the diver's. Inhalation takes more effort than exhalation. When inversed that changes to the opposite effect, frequently described as 'chipmunk cheeks'. The same with front mounted CL, usually found on O2 rebreathers. The least hydrostatic difference occurs when counterlungs are placed over the shoulder of the diver and down the chest.

I own a unit with rear mounted CL and occasionally dive one with o-t-s lungs. The latter breathes considerably better, and does so in any orientation.
The rearmounted unit has a sweet spot that makes breathing very comfortable.

I prefer the feeling of diving a rebreather very much over diving open circuit.

Thanks for the details. Still in the dark with snorkel comparison to rebreathers...or can it not be compared at all?

 

[wedivebc]

Thanks for the details. Still in the dark with snorkel comparison to rebreathers...or can it not be compared at all?

I find it much easier to breather through a rebreather than a snorkel.

 

[ZinnX]

I feel that rebreather breathing is easier than OC breathing and as someone said it is MUCH more natural feeling