Pretty timely post. I did my first dive with Helium in my CCR today, and I feel great!
First of all, I was only using 21/15 because my dive was only to 125 feet for 30 minutes (bottom time, with about 55 minutes total run time), followed by a 30 minute interval and then another dive to 70 feet for 30 minutes (bottom time). However, I felt at least 10 times better than I have been feeling using air for diluent during my newest of
phase of CCR diving (now that I am a more experienced
).
Last night, I only got less than six hours of sleep (and I normally need about 8 or 9). However, after today's dive in the intense heat here in South Florida, I cleaned my gear at the boat dock, went to lunch with a friend, hung out on Lincoln Road (a famous area of Miami Beach), came home, put my gear away, disinfected the loop, did some house chores, and I am up and still going after 1:00 AM. If I were on air diluent, I would have eaten lunch, come home without hanging out, sat in my chair, and taken a nap for a couple of hours (Yes, I always do plenty of deco).
I did flush the loop at 20 feet about three or four times. So, I can't say how I would have felt if I had just bumped up the PPO2 without flushing.
Helium is your friend.
