Ive been contemplating buying a rebreather for a year or so, but have been seriously put of by reading about the so called unexplained deaths that seem to arrise.

Now i Know that deaths in diving are fairly common, but to myself and my Fiance it appears that a high percentage of fatalitites have involved a rebreather.

What concerns me is the deaths were the diver was found floating unconsious and was never revived (or similar). In these cases it seems to me that the diver has not had chance to swap to the bail out system.

Now i have always promised myself I will look at RBs in the next 5 years or so (once ive completed my Trimix cert etc) when hopefully technology has moved on. But two of my old students have recently visited the dive show and appear to have been converted and are now saving up the £5000 or so each that its going to cost them to get started. As i dive with them weekly and dont wanna be left out ive decided to look into RBs more closely and see if i can be converted too.

I spoke with my missis last night about it and she says that she doesnt want me diving with one at all and will never (no matter wot i say) use one. But i recon i can talk her round.. However, i would need to be 100% that what i was doing was as safe (well as safe as diving Air to 50m!)

I do of course know lots of people in the dive industry who use RBs and they all rate them highly, but i think my main concerns are of dying for unexplained reasons. I love the sport but still dont want to pay the ultimate price for doing it.

What do you guys think, im sure you have had this topic raised before (just cant seem to find it). I am aware of the recent advances in Rebreather technology (HUD warning lights etc) and was wondering what you guys all think to the above... am i being overly cautious?

Also, with regards to qualifying dives, do you have to have a set amount before you can enrol on a Rebreather course?

thanks for taking the time to read this.