MarkZ

I met you a couple of weeks ago just before you were beginning your course with Joe at BSC. I can also both relate and sympathize with you as it would appear that you went throught he same process as I did a couple of years ago. While it may not be quite as bad as you describe reference rebreather acceptance in this area we still have a long way to go. There are a few guys who are quite knowledgeable in the area and even a couple who make regular appearances at BSC but they do keep a low profile. A few names that come to mind are Jeff Johnson, and Kurt Harpold who are up at the puddle quite a bit. Mark Nix who I do not know personally but have a few mutual friends between us is in Delaware. These are guys in the area who have a lot of smarts about the units. In fact I am not really aware of any on the instructors list who will not be helpful. Last but not least is Mike Fowler who is president of Silent Diving Systems and you will be hard pressed to find a person who is more willing to help.

As for the negative comments regarding CCR's from others just get used to it. When I first started diving mine I remember walking past classes to get in the water and hearing any number of instructors telling their students that they would be lucky to see me coming back on shore without being in a body bag. After a while I came to understand the unit a lot better and how very shallow the gene pool is. This is part of the reason that the CCR divers in the area keep a low profile. The other reason is that you will generate so much interest with your unit that it becomes hard to get in the water without doing an Introduction to Rebreathers 3 or 4 times a weekend. Flattering but you will eventually understand why we come late to the puddle and suit up in the training room.

To wrap up I mention again what I told you when we met a couple of weeks ago. Don't get frustrated! There is not one person on this board who will tell you that it isn't aggravating to strap on a unit after after diving open circuit and really come to understand that you are starting over. It will take time. Along those lines if you ever need a partner you are certainly welcome to join us at anytime. We are at BSC nearly every weekend we are not diving somewhere else. At times we are doing classes so fun is out of the question but we do dive for our own pleasure quite a bit. Great place to work the bugs out.

Mark Z