Quote: (Originally Posted by Halthron)
I am forgetful, I'm guessing that a "pre-dive checklist" of some sort would be a good idea.
What are some of the conditions that, if present, someone should just forget about using a Rebreather?
Being 'forgetful'
could qualify as a good reason not to use an Rebreather. However, I would think that by admitting that, you have a good mindset about the good and bad points regarding your own diving (we all have them), so is a good starting point for your RB training.
Excellent advice from the posts above. JonnyB's advice is especially pertinent. As a newbie Rebreather diver myself (but trimix OC qualified), a pre-dive checklist is essential, and the need to practice, practice, practice your drills and acquire 'muscle memory' is fundamental to RB diving.
I like your analogy to owning a car. Rebreather diving is like driving one in some respects. Unlike OC where you simply breath the guess (apart from maybe a few gas switches later on), most RB's are 'working' for you all the time. You get to hear them doing it (solenoid firing etc.), and you feel the changes (loop volume change through your mouth etc.). Like car driving, you should aim to get to the point where you 'know' something isn't right just by the 'feel' of how it is operating - I'm still reaching that point
If you are likely to store your unit for up to a year - is it going to be cost-effective for you to buy an Rebreather? If cost isn't an issue and you are simply looking at ways of cutting down on gas usage, then it is probably the best way to go.
Have fun