Quote: (Originally Posted by
Drmike)
a rebreather, even the very best, is just a simple machine -theres very little technology in them and none of it is anything like advanced! Nor does it really need to be. Your average kitchen electronic appliance is likely far more technologiocaly advanced - and more reliable
technology wise compare the functionality of say a Meg or Prism to a 20+ year old MK15...We are NOT moving forward (nor do we really need to as they are simple machines in their basic form)- all we have done is lower the cost to manufacture and made them afordable and accessible to the masses....possibly at the expense of.....well you know
damn what a ranty day im having
....Oh G&T has arrived..alls well with the world
Yes Mike, I agree that we deserve better and that it's not asking too much that our CCRs not be lethal. But like the first automobiles, there's not a big demand for them, which means the margins are small and that means progress will be slow, just like the first years of the automobile. That's all I meant to say.
And I do think we are moving forward, albiet slowly. I think progess is best achieved when the focus is on refining the basic elements of a CCR, not making them more complex and all inclusive. The refinements made to the electronics, scrubber and loop design of the Prism are an improvement on the old technology in terms of size, reliability and WOB. I know of no design or equipment related Prism fatalities, so I don't think SMI are taking chances with anybody's life, I feel safe enough diving one. I can't say the same when it comes to deco theory, but I don't think that's anyone's fault.
We all kow the story about the ECCRs which would allow cals at depth. The manuf said they didn't think anybody was stupid enough to try it, which I believe is probably true. Some issues like this might have been caught by more testing. The lack of testing is a problem, a big problem, mostly a money problem, which most manufs don't have very much of. But I think the first and biggest problem we all have is the lousy O2 sensor technology and lack of CO2 sensors. But this is not news to anybody...