Biopaks and needle valves.

waynej

Biopaks and needle valves.

OK all there has been some talk about biopaks lately and I would just like to give my opinion they are by no means the next best thing to sliced bread, and can kill you as fast as speeding truck.
As with any Rebreather MCCR or CCCR there are many risks and joys in this world of Rebreather diving.
The way I think is that I know my units inside and out and can strip one down and back together like its nothing.
Knowing you equipment is everything in this, you need to know how it feels, smells and when it’s just wrong.
Are biopaks as good as like a MEG or AP unit no I do not think so maybe they are but after 3+ years of working with them I do not think they are so if you are looking to dive deep as hell this is not the unit for you.
What I do know is for myself knowing my units and learning this sport of Rebreather diving in the home built manner I did has made me a very safer diver.
Do I recommend that you go off and do the same well NO I do not but I also know that this will not stop you if you have the will and take the path, as for all the warnings in the world did not stop me and that’s just fine with me?
Taking the time to get the know age you need and researching all you can will help only with diving a home built or modified Rebreather the real safety lies in you hands and your actions.
You need to know and own your actions.
Just like the needle valve talks some people use them and rip them out just as fast, but I can tell you when properly sized and set with a good flow meter you can get great results.
I am not going to get into details but a safety note after you get them set cover them so they can by not means get turned, and yes then can be set for about 1 lpm and you will only need to add o2 at depth about every 7 to 10 minutes or longer.
Please this does not mean you take that long to check your ppo2.
Now you ppo2 all the time and if diving a mccr check it again.
I by no means wanted anyone to think just because of my success with these units that they are replacements for very good built market units and that you can achieve the same results on your own, LOL you just might do even better than that.
I have had every opportunity to build just about ant type of breather I want being employed in the compressed air and human air breathing industry and in new product development to boot.
However I am working on a new even smaller unit that is even simpler than the biopak.
On and off with that project, its taken way to long.
I just like the biopak platform and find it very easy to work with, work on and dive,
Keeping It Simple seems to work for me.

Anyway all you divers take care and good day.

Wayne J.
Ted and Wayne's Scuba Site