On the bigger dives we use three to six stages, three to five hours in the water depending on the dives, either far or deep. Of course buying several additional stages is still cheaper then a rebreather but still adds only a marginal additional range and with a small team this means several setup dives, weeks before the actual dive. Some of the places we dive have a lot of roof percolation so diving it spoils the cave until the next weekend...
I believe that the Rebreather will add gas redundancy on these dives, produce less roof percolation and basically give us more options and time in case shit hits the fan like scooter failures, loss of gas, line problems, etc. This is applicable when doing the same dives as know in OC. For diving beyond the current range / depth / time I need my buddies to follow the RB route and be on the same page.
Thanks for the advice on the other models. Workshops could be fine but what I am actually looking for is complete training so I can move on with my dive projects in Spain.
Quote: (Originally Posted by
EBT)
Sounds reasonable when you put it that way. Out of interest what sort of depth/runtimes are you doing and how many stages?
Official training on the RB80 is limited to GUE, or EKPP if you are actually part of their project, but as you say its going to be a while before you meet their pre-requisites. I know some folks who'd run you a 'workshop' on the unit, but this wouldnt give you any sort of ticket.
Another option of course is to train on a similar unit like the
RON or the
EDO04.
Personally, I'd be thinking very carefully about why Im on that unit.... have you really exhausted OC?
Good luck
/Zak
(PS Dont forget all rebreather makes have their own little traits, training on one unit may not necessarily give you all of these for your unit)