some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg..

Ben Field · 13th November 2007, 13:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by lof)

I use contacts in my Drager FFM.

Just been reading back over the threads about FFM looking at pros and cons.

As a glasses wearer most of the time (too dusty and dry at work for contacts) I was wondering about FFM practicality.

The only time I HAVE to wear contacts is for snowboarding, the masks fit very poorly over glasses and I don't want eyeballs full of splintered plastic and metal should I face plant in a BIG way.

I would prefer not to wear them for diving (currently use a pescription mask) as I have seen someone misplace a contact while diving , their surfacing was apparently must uncomfortable with the contact sloshing around under their eyeball...

Lastly- Anyone using Comms with their FFM? Are they any good, what depths can they cope with etc?

Thanks,
BEN

**PhilSiswick** · 13th November 2007, 13:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field)

I would prefer not to wear them for diving (currently use a pescription mask) as I have seen someone misplace a contact while diving , their surfacing was apparently must uncomfortable with the contact sloshing around under their eyeball..

Ben,

Before you go all the way to FFM, do try contact lenses for diving. I've been using them all the time you've known me and only ever lost a lens once diving (and that was on the surface), despite countless mask clearing drills etc.

Losing a lens is usually a hydration problem IME, as they get too dry. If they are that dry, you probably shouldn't be diving anyway...

Cheers,

Ben Field · 13th November 2007, 14:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick)

Ben,

Before you go all the way to FFM, do try contact lenses for diving. I've been using them all the time you've known me and only ever lost a lens once diving (and that was on the surface), despite countless mask clearing drills etc.

Losing a lens is usually a hydration problem IME, as they get too dry. If they are that dry, you probably shouldn't be diving anyway...

Cheers,

Hi Phil, I've used them for a couple of weekend trips.... once when my pescription mask broke... once when I forgot it!

My interest in FFM is (like most everyone else I'd imagine) safety.

Following recent events I thought I'd have a look all over my unit, other dive gear and proceedures and weed out any safety issues I found, have added a Jon Line and another spool of line already, working on a exhaust CL water trap, lots of little things. FFM is a big deal so just having a read up on them.

BEN

**PhilSiswick** · 15th November 2007, 13:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field)

Hi Phil, I've used them for a couple of weekend trips.... once when my pescription mask broke... once when I forgot it!

My interest in FFM is (like most everyone else I'd imagine) safety.

Following recent events I thought I'd have a look all over my unit, other dive gear and proceedures and weed out any safety issues I found, have added a Jon Line and another spool of line already, working on a exhaust CL water trap, lots of little things. FFM is a big deal so just having a read up on them.

BEN

Hi Ben,

Curses, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that. I'm sorely tempted by FFM too, but it'll just have to wait for now.

Cheers,

Ben Field · 15th November 2007, 14:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick)

Curses, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that. I'm sorely tempted by FFM too, but it'll just have to wait for now.

I wouldn't get too upset, there is a very great risk that no one makes a FFM capable of fitting on either of our fat faces

Nad · 15th November 2007, 14:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by Frankie Pellegrino)

Dear Matt
I’m very interested in making the switch to a FFM on a rebreather. I have hundreds if not thousand of hours on a OC AGA mask. I also teach divers how to dive/clear/ buddy breath/and bail out off a AGA…etc. I very interested to here your thoughts or any bodies on how difficult it is to clear a flooded Drager FFM on a CCR? Also you wrote changing out your regs / DSV from “P” ports “no water gets in” is that because you tilt your head down (like a upside down cup) so water won’t enter the mask. How hard is it to vent the loop as you ascend? I know there’s a OPV valve in the mask. Do you have to tilt/move it to allow gas to escape. Or is it spring loaded which will vent on it’s own?
Frankie

I just found this thread now, interesting.
Thanks Frankie, those are exactly my question about the Dräger FFM.
Nad

Quote: (Originally Posted by tecdivertraining)

Hi Frankie

the mask is super easy to clear, that is if you can get any water in the mask, If you use the combined apeks second stage plmbed in the mask is then under positive pressure same like the arga I believe and difficult to flood. If you isolate the reg then you can flood it a little easer and its still really easy to clear, just look up and exhale through your nose and the water drains from the relief valve on the bottom of the mask. it highlights the need to clean and check this valve often to ensure it working operation in the manual so i little maintenance should keep like new. the mask has an internal bite mouthpiece so not water gets into the loop so long as you seal you lips

If the mask pressure increases to much say from venting the loop on accent via the nose into the mask it vents through the second stage avoiding the mask being pulled of your face and breaking seal.

Hope that answers your questions

And thanks Matt for the answers.
I think now I know what to do as soon as possible.
Let's try before with Santa Klaus.

Nad

13th November 2007, 13:46	#21 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,571	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by lof) I use contacts in my Drager FFM. Just been reading back over the threads about FFM looking at pros and cons. As a glasses wearer most of the time (too dusty and dry at work for contacts) I was wondering about FFM practicality. The only time I HAVE to wear contacts is for snowboarding, the masks fit very poorly over glasses and I don't want eyeballs full of splintered plastic and metal should I face plant in a BIG way. I would prefer not to wear them for diving (currently use a pescription mask) as I have seen someone misplace a contact while diving , their surfacing was apparently must uncomfortable with the contact sloshing around under their eyeball... Lastly- Anyone using Comms with their FFM? Are they any good, what depths can they cope with etc? Thanks, BEN __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
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13th November 2007, 13:55	#22 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 923	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field) I would prefer not to wear them for diving (currently use a pescription mask) as I have seen someone misplace a contact while diving , their surfacing was apparently must uncomfortable with the contact sloshing around under their eyeball.. Ben, Before you go all the way to FFM, do try contact lenses for diving. I've been using them all the time you've known me and only ever lost a lens once diving (and that was on the surface), despite countless mask clearing drills etc. Losing a lens is usually a hydration problem IME, as they get too dry. If they are that dry, you probably shouldn't be diving anyway... Cheers, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk
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13th November 2007, 14:18	#23 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,571	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick) Ben, Before you go all the way to FFM, do try contact lenses for diving. I've been using them all the time you've known me and only ever lost a lens once diving (and that was on the surface), despite countless mask clearing drills etc. Losing a lens is usually a hydration problem IME, as they get too dry. If they are that dry, you probably shouldn't be diving anyway... Cheers, Hi Phil, I've used them for a couple of weekend trips.... once when my pescription mask broke... once when I forgot it! My interest in FFM is (like most everyone else I'd imagine) safety. Following recent events I thought I'd have a look all over my unit, other dive gear and proceedures and weed out any safety issues I found, have added a Jon Line and another spool of line already, working on a exhaust CL water trap, lots of little things. FFM is a big deal so just having a read up on them. BEN __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
(Offline)

15th November 2007, 13:11	#24 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 923	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field) Hi Phil, I've used them for a couple of weekend trips.... once when my pescription mask broke... once when I forgot it! My interest in FFM is (like most everyone else I'd imagine) safety. Following recent events I thought I'd have a look all over my unit, other dive gear and proceedures and weed out any safety issues I found, have added a Jon Line and another spool of line already, working on a exhaust CL water trap, lots of little things. FFM is a big deal so just having a read up on them. BEN Hi Ben, Curses, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that. I'm sorely tempted by FFM too, but it'll just have to wait for now. Cheers, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk
(Offline)

15th November 2007, 14:19	#25 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,571	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by PhilSiswick) Curses, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that. I'm sorely tempted by FFM too, but it'll just have to wait for now. I wouldn't get too upset, there is a very great risk that no one makes a FFM capable of fitting on either of our fat faces __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
(Offline)

15th November 2007, 14:32	#26 (permalink)
Nad Rebel to the Bone Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 960	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by Frankie Pellegrino) Dear Matt I’m very interested in making the switch to a FFM on a rebreather. I have hundreds if not thousand of hours on a OC AGA mask. I also teach divers how to dive/clear/ buddy breath/and bail out off a AGA…etc. I very interested to here your thoughts or any bodies on how difficult it is to clear a flooded Drager FFM on a CCR? Also you wrote changing out your regs / DSV from “P” ports “no water gets in” is that because you tilt your head down (like a upside down cup) so water won’t enter the mask. How hard is it to vent the loop as you ascend? I know there’s a OPV valve in the mask. Do you have to tilt/move it to allow gas to escape. Or is it spring loaded which will vent on it’s own? Frankie I just found this thread now, interesting. Thanks Frankie, those are exactly my question about the Dräger FFM. Nad Quote: (Originally Posted by tecdivertraining) Hi Frankie the mask is super easy to clear, that is if you can get any water in the mask, If you use the combined apeks second stage plmbed in the mask is then under positive pressure same like the arga I believe and difficult to flood. If you isolate the reg then you can flood it a little easer and its still really easy to clear, just look up and exhale through your nose and the water drains from the relief valve on the bottom of the mask. it highlights the need to clean and check this valve often to ensure it working operation in the manual so i little maintenance should keep like new. the mask has an internal bite mouthpiece so not water gets into the loop so long as you seal you lips If the mask pressure increases to much say from venting the loop on accent via the nose into the mask it vents through the second stage avoiding the mask being pulled of your face and breaking seal. Hope that answers your questions And thanks Matt for the answers. I think now I know what to do as soon as possible. Let's try before with Santa Klaus. Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
(Offline)

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