I just think rebreathers offer too much risk and not enough reward.
The title of this thread was One Year later... Now it's almost two years later, and a blanket statement like, "I just think rebreathers offer too much risk and not enough reward." is, IMHO, too simplistic.
ECCR diving can add additional complications in easy shallow diving as compared to OC diving, no doubt. But if you're doing any kind of advanced diving - deco, overhead, any dive where running off to the surface is not a viable option - then the CCR offers a far wider array of possibilities for safely dealing with potential issues.
CCR's require meticulous care, maintenance and preparation, verses just tossing on a tank and going diving, so it's not for everyone. But if you're a fit for this type of diving, and willing to accept the additional responsibilities, then I believe the CCR is actually a safer option (again, especially it your are doing more advanced diving). The problem comes when people expect to dive the more complicated rigs without accepting the additional dive / pre-dive / post-dive responsibilities.
CCR diving is perfect for gear geeks. For me half the fun of diving is playing with my gear. I bought my CCR used, in poor condition, and re-built it from the top down. I really know my kit. I still enjoy taking something apart and fiddling with it, rebuilding it, fine tuning it. No one else on the planet knows my kit like I do, and no one else would take as good care of it.
CCR diving isn't for everyone. But if it's a "fit" for the personality of the diver and the type of diving he/she is doing, then there are absolutely benefits to rebreather diving, including additional safety options. The problem is when someone not matched to this type of diving does it. It's not for the lazy diver, the poorly trained, those who cannot multitask well, people in a hurry, or anyone not willing to treat their unit with the care and respect that is required. Nothing wrong with that! Sometimes I just want an easy, uncomplicated, lazy dive, and tossing on a single AL80 can be the perfect option. Or if I'm not in the mood to put in the effort required to safely do a CCR dive, then I'll do something else, like go to a movie, like Sanctum or something.
I remember a member here named bigjetdriver I believe he died due to a failure on a rebreather a few years ago.
The death of Rob Davies was an
absolute tragedy. Any time someone dies while diving, whether on open circuit, rebreather, free diving, whatever... whether it's a recreational dive or technical dive, it's a tragedy for the friends and family that person leaves behind. Things can and sometimes do go wrong in any type of recreational activity. And I believe in analyzing the event and learning from it, for the safety of all. But a blanket statement like,
Rebreather diving isn't worth the additional risks, because so-and-so died while diving one, is like looking at only the tail of an elephant and thinking you understand the entire beast.
I do not think, in general, rebreathers add additional risks, just addition complications. But if dealing with those complications is not your bag, then yes, diving one would be a riskier venture for you. But if you're right for that kind of diving, the CCR not only opens up a buffet of diving opportunities, it's about the most
fun and the most
satisfying diving you can do - both in and out of the water. At least it has been for me.
That's my opinion so far (couple hundred CCR dives down to a max depth of 330'). I'll let you know what I think next year.
