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Rebreatherlab · 28th April 2006, 22:41

Hi there,

The IDA-71P and most other Russian military Rebreather's are facinating machines and it is a good, (cheap!), starting point for modifications. You can take it step by step and experiment. Usually as you grow as a diver you will place higher expectations on your RB and when the day comes you are not content with a unit that works, but is also easy to breathe with and that offers a descent swimming position, you will put the IDA on a high shelf. A key thing to keep in mind is that the IDA was never intended for any extended swimming. More like a escape unit or "go down and work on something" unit. In any case an escape or work usually means a vertical body position and it is actually quite nice to breath with as long as you remain vertical. If you also change the breathing bag you will only end up with the shell and maybe the breathing hoses, but most probably not. Through out the process of modifying it there are many places where it is easy to overlook issues, especially if you have no formal RB training. What I used to offer before was not really a course. More like a seminar with the focal point on ideas on how to modify the IDA. A prerequisite was to be certified with some typ of sanctioned rebreather. After modifying the unit we would go for some dives, but at not point was any certifications issued. Today there are so many sources of information and anyone can buy a IDA71 on ebay for 500 bucks, so I rarely do these seminars anymore. Still it is fun to think back and realise that the rebreather I am manufacturing today as a full time job springs from the IDA. My advise for you is to take some standard CCR course. Surely you must be able to find instruction for that in Japan. If not, come over to Thailand and join a course for my Pelagian. This will reseble the way you will most likely dive your IDA, i.e. as a mechanical CCR and will serve you better than any SCR course. As I know dive instruction in Japan is quite expensive, maybe the saving will pay for the ticket to Thailand!

If you choose no instruction, my best advise is to test any modification as follows:

Dive 1 in your sofa watching TV with your girlfriend and a bowl of ice water. Instruct girlfriend to pour bowl of ice water on face, (your face!), if you pass out.

Dive 2 - 6 on high O2 in a pool with a friend ready to step in. Tell him he need to watch you all the time. Yes. ALL the time!
I cant give recommendations for futher dives as they would depend on what modification you are testing.

All the best and be CAREFUL!

Andy
REBREATHER LAB

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sniperx)

I've gone through the Sutton page about 3 times rreading everything. The system is just fascinating to me. Anyone know of where to get rebreather basics here in Japan? Thailand is quite a hike....

28th April 2006, 22:41	#7 (permalink)
Rebreatherlab RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thailand Posts: 202	Re: "Who are you?" "This is me..." .... Hi there, The IDA-71P and most other Russian military Rebreather's are facinating machines and it is a good, (cheap!), starting point for modifications. You can take it step by step and experiment. Usually as you grow as a diver you will place higher expectations on your RB and when the day comes you are not content with a unit that works, but is also easy to breathe with and that offers a descent swimming position, you will put the IDA on a high shelf. A key thing to keep in mind is that the IDA was never intended for any extended swimming. More like a escape unit or "go down and work on something" unit. In any case an escape or work usually means a vertical body position and it is actually quite nice to breath with as long as you remain vertical. If you also change the breathing bag you will only end up with the shell and maybe the breathing hoses, but most probably not. Through out the process of modifying it there are many places where it is easy to overlook issues, especially if you have no formal RB training. What I used to offer before was not really a course. More like a seminar with the focal point on ideas on how to modify the IDA. A prerequisite was to be certified with some typ of sanctioned rebreather. After modifying the unit we would go for some dives, but at not point was any certifications issued. Today there are so many sources of information and anyone can buy a IDA71 on ebay for 500 bucks, so I rarely do these seminars anymore. Still it is fun to think back and realise that the rebreather I am manufacturing today as a full time job springs from the IDA. My advise for you is to take some standard CCR course. Surely you must be able to find instruction for that in Japan. If not, come over to Thailand and join a course for my Pelagian. This will reseble the way you will most likely dive your IDA, i.e. as a mechanical CCR and will serve you better than any SCR course. As I know dive instruction in Japan is quite expensive, maybe the saving will pay for the ticket to Thailand! If you choose no instruction, my best advise is to test any modification as follows: Dive 1 in your sofa watching TV with your girlfriend and a bowl of ice water. Instruct girlfriend to pour bowl of ice water on face, (your face!), if you pass out. Dive 2 - 6 on high O2 in a pool with a friend ready to step in. Tell him he need to watch you all the time. Yes. ALL the time! I cant give recommendations for futher dives as they would depend on what modification you are testing. All the best and be CAREFUL! Andy REBREATHER LAB Quote: (Originally Posted by Sniperx) I've gone through the Sutton page about 3 times rreading everything. The system is just fascinating to me. Anyone know of where to get rebreather basics here in Japan? Thailand is quite a hike....
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