DepthCharge:
I agree that going from a Inspiration to a Mk series would be quite a bit different, but going from a Meg to Inspiration would not be a leap at all. My first training was on a Inspiration, I had a great instructor. Since then I have aquired several RB's that no formal training exists for. I took the time to find out how they function, this means a FULL tear down/reassembly. I have not seen a course that teaches that. The courses that I have had teach what you need for routine maintance, not things like how to fix a problem with the first stage etc.
Not to try and start an arguement, but you being an instructor, I would expect that response. Now I do agree training is neccessary, (I'm doing an Inspiration Trimix course in about a week). I'm doing the course as there is many differences from OC trimix (the car vs tractor trailer thing). But I also don't think that going from one similar rebreather to another would take very much.
I recently was on a trip were there was a prototype for new RB. A bit different lay out than an Inspiration (horizontal scrubber, tanks sat under scrubber, but OTS counter lungs) I talked with the developers a bit, and I wouldn't have hesitated to dive it with just a bit of time to get fimilar with the electronics (very advanced from the Inspirations!!!). Why? He tore it down (to brag a bit) and I was pointing out differences and the rational behind them as fast as he was.
Maybe I'm a bit more mechanically oriented thatn most RB divers (I'm a amature machinist and starting on robotics). But there is a saying..............IF you can't build one, you shouldn't be diving one.[/FONT]
My response really wasn't from an instructor's point of view but rather an experienced CCR diver.. I don;t believe in every mod requiring retraining.. In many of my points I said SUPERVISION, this quite frankly could be another experienced diver on the unit in question.
The level of supervision or training depends on the level of difference and the diver.. Its obviously much easier for an Inspiration diver to go to a Meg than vice versa since the counterlung volume on the meg is much smaller so buoyancy shifts are much less.. I remember my first free ascent during my initial inspiration training in my drysuit, I really didn;t know how fast I had to dump the loop and ascending from 60fsw controlling 3 air spaces I lost control and hit the surface ( Not too fast, I probably could have stopped it if I absolutely had to after it was evident that the surface was likely I just made it safe)
SOme diver are totally capable of doing a teardown and reassembling to see how things work others need guidance..
If you were a trimix inspiration diver, and decided to switch to a meg, a few dives with an instructor (to get certified at the same level) or a similiarly qualified person should be enough..
Reqardless of how its done the diver has to learn and practice the new emergency skills.
I have explaned the workings of the HH to many divers and infact wrote kevins manual and never charged a penny for the "training" so its not about money but safety.
BTW in my CCR classes We do full tear downs, the units come as apart as I can get them within reason (im not going to do a reg overhaul!) .. I also have "defective" components to show common failures and how to fix them. (I'm not going to take new hose fittings apart but I have new and abused spares to show how its done and what tools are needed.. Granted my classes are not cheap nor are they short.. If you price my classes compared to alot of other instructors I'm probably one of the more expensive ones around, but I am thorough.
On my trimx ccr class the minimum dive time is usually 12-15 hours, in warm water with the proper students I'll run most dives 3+ hours with multiple 100m dives.
Too bad your not going to Zero G, Its a great place to learn and have lots of sun.. This year's (starting 8/21/04) event will have over 50 ccr divers!