Quote: (Originally Posted by Manxie)
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.............. 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...................... However, i would need to be 100% that what i was doing was as safe (well as safe as diving Air to 50m!).........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.......................................... am i being overly cautious? .
Manxie, Reading your post, I smiled. It made me realize that the thought process that went into my choosing to dive a Rebreather, was a good one. I am not a "veteran RB" diver.I started with a Dolphin (un-modified) and now dive a Sport KISS. Your concerns of death and wanting assurances that diving a RB won't kill you are interesting. Here's a couple of things to think about
: Do I understand how a Rebreather works? Am I committed to my equipment in a big way? Do I know a highly recommended and professional RB instructor? Am I wlling to be diligent about the setup, pre dive checks, UW use, post dive checks, breakdown and storage protocols, EVERY TIME and ALL THE TIME? Ask yourself do I realize that even if I do that, there is no certainty that I won't experience a negative life event while partaking in RB diving? If you're diligent, you lessen the chances that you'll experience a negative life event, you don't erase the possibility. If you're willing to do the up front work, RB diving is bliss untold. If not, you'll hasten your demise. I notice in your post a comment regarding divers floating unconscious and your thoughts on what happened. I personally have not had a friend of mine die on a RB. I have had people who have either directly or indirectly helped guide me in my selection process, from this board, die on a RB. I would request that you refrain from lumping them into a category of any kind. We have no idea why some of the divers passed on. We weren't there and it' possible that even if we were, it still wouldn't be clear as to what happened. What should be clear is that if you look at the skillsets of some of those divers, you'll find that they were damn good divers. Respect what they accomplished in their lives, respect the education passed on to us who are still here, respect the knowledge to be gleaned from this board but most of all, respect a RB, if you don't, it will kill you. Most of us have, on some level accepted that reality. We beat the odds through education, training and diligence to a particular dogma. If you don't want to be regimented in taking this RB s**t seriosly, stop now, go back to OC, continue to blow bubbles and enjoy life. If you do proceed, humble yourself, start at square one and come into the world of rebreathers slowly and with an open mind for learning. I wish you long life and true friends!