Quote: (Originally Posted by
Mark Chase)
I think they could be. However the limited benefits of SCR over OC for OW diving make it a very expensive toy. IF they sorted out the WOB issues with a RB80 type unit It would be worth considering but with fixed PP02 problems, the possibility for error on a gas switching block and the need for multiple drive gases AND bailout on OW dives I still don't see it as being that good a choice.
If i dived one Id dive it the equivalent of Alpinist in that i do two or three big dives on the unit with the same tins of gas. So by dive 3 ill probably not have enough reserve gas to bailout OC
It also reintroduces the best mix issue into diving. These days i dive 18/45 on everything down to 60 and 14/55 past that. The thought of doing a 30m dive on 18/45 doesn't appeal to me. I have a tin of 18/45 and a tin of 14/55 and a booster to fill the little 3ltr tins. Life is good.
I still think the KISS with a HUD is the way to go to achieve the balance of safety and practical advantages of CCR.
ATB
Mark Chase
The usual and realtively easy way to dive securely a passive SCR ( for deep or long dive ) is to fit it with larges backmounted tanks who are here just for bailout. You feed your SCR with small alu tanks and to secure the whole thing you need some OC deco bailout.
So pSCR is a great tool for cave diving BUT its more intersting if you dive several time the same profile and more if you dive sveral time in the same place, you just have to fill again your small tanks ( and your sorb yes
) because you dont touch bailout nor deco gas.
Somes says th pSCR is just a gase saver, thats true.
But the question was is it safe... I do think so, but you can kill yourself with that.
I dont say its an easy way nor thats the future of Rebreather, just safe