When CCR?

[Slamfire]

I want to eventually move to CCR. At what point in a diver's developmental progression would you recommend somebody moving from OC to CCR? I know there are agencies like RAID that'll put you on rebreathers right from the beginning (OW). However, I tend to think that some OC experience would be beneficial -- at least to be able competently to do dives when there are no rebreathers available, if not for anything else. Versatility has its advantages.

For the rebreather pilots out there, when did you make the transition? In hindsight, would you alter that timing if you could go back? Why or why not? What, in your opinion, would be the optimal path? I'd like to be able to do explorations at depths in excess of 300'. The explorations could include real overhead environments. I'm deeply intrigued by archeology, uncommon marine biology, and unfamiliar ecosystems. I am not particularly attracted to caves, but I wouldn't rule them out either.

Just to clarify, I am not referring to chronological timing, but rather to developmental timing e.g. The best time to transition is right after staged deco training because...

 

[nadwidny]

I found that having a lot of experience with OC made my transition to CC quite simple so obviously I believe that a strong OC background is a good thing. However there are others that believe it's best to jump right into CC. I don't think there will ever be a consensus.

And I'm a diver. I dive my rebreather. I don't fly it so I am not a pilot. Can anybody explain how all this "flying" and "pilot" nonsense with RBs started in the first place? Maybe I should start another thread.

 

[Dsix36]

I did not transition to rebreathers in the same way as most others did. Rebreathers are a tool to accomplish something. If you don't need it, stay with open circuit as it is much safer.

When I decided that it was time for me to start training for technical (as in doubles to go deeper with trimix) diving. That is when I switched. I completely skipped over the doubles training. Like I said, this is different than most. One must be VERY comfortable and competent with open circuit prior to going to a rebreather. I do not know of a single rebreather diver that does not carry open circuit bailout in the event of a rebreather failure.

I am sure that other will argue. This is just the way that I did it.

 

[Meng_Tze]

I found that having a lot of experience with OC made my transition to CC quite simple so obviously I believe that a strong OC background is a good thing. However there are others that believe it's best to jump right into CC. I don't think there will ever be a consensus.

And I'm a diver. I dive my rebreather. I don't fly it so I am not a pilot. Can anybody explain how all this "flying" and "pilot" nonsense with RBs started in the first place? Maybe I should start another thread.

Agreed on both parts. This 'flying thing' is just so people can feel special. We are all special....

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks for the quick replies. Dsix, do you do or have you done much doubles OC diving after going CCR? If so why?

 

[wedivebc]

I believe that came from Gordon Smith on the early KISS website when he described diving a manual rebreather as more like flying it. It just sort of caught on.

I found that having a lot of experience with OC made my transition to CC quite simple so obviously I believe that a strong OC background is a good thing. However there are others that believe it's best to jump right into CC. I don't think there will ever be a consensus.

And I'm a diver. I dive my rebreather. I don't fly it so I am not a pilot. Can anybody explain how all this "flying" and "pilot" nonsense with RBs started in the first place? Maybe I should start another thread.

 

[Slamfire]

I believe that came from Gordon Smith on the early KISS website when he described diving a manual rebreather as more like flying it. It just sort of caught on.

I wrote it without thinking much about it. When nadwidny asked, I really didn't have an answer, I'm not even sure where I picked it up but it must have rubbed on me from reading rebreather threads over here.

As an instructor, Dave, what is your opinion? One thing I would like to avoid is getting a bunch of extra cylinders to keep the OC training progression into the 300'+ range just to then move to CCR and then be left with a lot of tanks that never get used sitting idle in my garage. I think it'd be better for me to allocate that money towards a Meg or an Inspiration. But I'd also be interested in hearing about the experiences of the gents around here.

 

[sea2summit]

I did advanced nitrox/deco and normoxic before going to CCR, I think that is about right. Get the deco stuff down and understand it well then hit CCR. Normoxic take it or leave it, I think counting training dives I did maybe 10 dives on mix before going CCR.
I do really believe you need to know what your doing on OC because once the CCR fails you're an OC diver again, where ever you happen to be at the moment of failure.

 

[wedivebc]

I wrote it without thinking much about it. When nadwidny asked, I really didn't have an answer, I'm not even sure where I picked it up but it must have rubbed on me from reading rebreather threads over here.

As an instructor, Dave, what is your opinion? One thing I would like to avoid is getting a bunch of extra cylinders to keep the OC training progression into the 300'+ range just to then move to CCR and then be left with a lot of tanks that never get used sitting idle in my garage. I think it'd be better for me to allocate that money towards a Meg or an Inspiration. But I'd also be interested in hearing about the experiences of the gents around here.

I didn't start CCR diving until after I was a OC trimix instructor. I decided that to continue diving the type of dives I like to do CCR was the logical option.
I just used my doubles today. They are full of air for drive gas that I use for my booster to fill my RB cylinders
I don't believe a diver needs to be a hugely experienced tech diver to make the move to CCR. I do believe a diver needs to be squared away in the water, comfortable in challenging dive conditions and have the self discipline to follow training and checklists religiously. If you are sloppy with your OC gear don't buy a RB. If you know you are heading down the tech road there is no need to buy expensive OC gear that you will soon have to ebay for a fraction of the value. I think if you posses the above skills you may be ready to look into a RB. I will be conducting a Meg tryout on the evening of May 5th in Nanaimo.
You would be welcome to join us if you like and try out a meg in the water.

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the invitation. Unfortunately weekdays are difficult days for me to travel to the island. In addition to that, May 5th is my birthday and I may end up with family trouble if I tell them I won't be with them because I'm trying out rebreathers.

Coincidentally, last night about an hour before you posted I made arrangements for Inspiration, Evolution and possibly even a Meg tryout on May 15th. I'm not sure if I'll take all three in the water, but at a minimum I'll get a surface description, pros, and cons from the CCR instructor on all three (could be just 2) of those. After I get some education about them in the surface, then we're taking the rebreather(s) in the water. I'm looking forward to it.