FFM Clarification

mr_cartman

Hi Guys,

Before I start - I have read the archives on FFM's - so don't want to go over old ground, but would like some clarification around choices on FFMs (having been thinking about getting one for a while now.

Have heard that AP were going to produce one for a while now (does anyone have any updates on this?)

The KM48 looks nice, but the Rebreather pod is "secret squirrel" not obtainable (have also heard they were considering a public release) - why exactly is this so restricted?

So - do I wait for the AP version or get an M48 with a standard OC pod? Interested in your thoughts?

Cheers,

Jamie
Singapore

caveseeker7

APD has shown two masks at their booth during trades in the past.
The Kirby-Morgan M-48 Supermask and the Dräger Nova (Apeks in UK).

The Dräger ended up on their old website on the Evolution page, and
in the info flyer for the Evolution. All that is needed to use the Dräger
is the DSV that will connect to hoses and P-port. Unfortunately neither
APD nor Dräger tend to be forthcoming with information about future
products. For the Nova connectors are made to accommodate all the
Dräger rebreathers as well as the Dräger & Apeks TX100 second stages.

Kirby-Morgan introduced the M-48 at DEMA (in 2003 I believe) and
pretty agressively pursued rebreather manufacturers. The mask was
mated with or without BOV on just about every Rebreather at the show but
the KISS. Azimuth, PRISM, Inspiration, the unit at NEDU booth, all
fitted with it. And not just DEMA, APD had one at the Boot tradeshow
in Germany, too.

Word back then was that the manufacturers would be able to sell it
to their customers, as K-M dealers are few and usually commercial
diving oriented. K-M masks (black skirt) would be available through
these two sources, while Oceanic would distribute the clear skirted
OC only version. For masks with OC pods that has held true.
But the Rebreather pod never made it to the public in any numbers worth
mentioning. Initially several were sold, and then the military picked
them up, too. Since very few have found their way outside that latter
group. Some have been sold for use in film/TV production. Deep Sea
Detectives use(d) them in their show, Fabien Cousteau got his hands
on one for his shark sub endeavour.

I've heard two reasons for the limited distribution of the Rebreather pod:
limited production, the military customers simply buy them all,
and liability worries of the the manufacturer. Even though I've been
to Kirby-Morgan in Santa Barbara (before they moved a few years
ago) they never give a straight answer to either availability or
reasons for it. Just that the pod is currently not available to the public.
I already knew that.

Either reason could be it, a combination of both, or something else.

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.'!"

ROB DAVIE

Jamie,

As an alternate, I would recommend that you look at the article in our "Library" section on the AGA, as modified by our friend Gabry. He uses a mouth-piece bit to replace the oro-nasal cup. It seems to work well for him, and the mask is easily available, and very reliable.

Just my ppO2's worth.

Rob

__________________
[SIZE=2]"CC Rebreathers will become a viable part of tech diving [U]WHEN PIGS FLY[/U]!!"--GI3[/SIZE]

mr_cartman

Thanks Guys,

Yep its all very strange. There defninitely appears to a market for a commercial Rebreather FFM - but there is certainly some resistance.

My preference is to buy a professional built mask rather and do a "homebuild" or modfication - so although the AGA is an option, I might have to wait a while.

Is anyone using the OC pod on the M48 with an inspiration loop? Is it still possible to get the mouthpeice in your mouth?