Abbo

I've brought up this subject on Rebreather World before. I said a highly respected instructor here in Japan encourages all his CCR students to put Helium in their dil right from Mod 1. I think he's absolutely right. I was told "he'll have serious trouble from the insurance companies if there's an accident". Insurance companies know nothing about diving: they merely insist that divers have the appropriate qualifications. The qualifying agencies should therefore be encouraged to have a rethink, because it makes a lot of sense to use Helium right from Mod 1. You are forbidden, under the law, to Drive Under the Influence; why are insurance companies forcing people to Dive Under the Influence?

Mod 1, 2 & 3 limits should be about how much deco you are allowed and how deep you go, not about what gas you put in your tank, just like it's about how fast you drive on the road, not what gas you put in your gasoline tank . Sure, you need to understand the implications of breathing Helium, but not to take the same course units in CC as you took in OC.