acceptance of Rebreather in Europe....

Icarusflies · 22nd January 2008, 08:30

Hello All;I just arrived to Barcelona, Spain where I will be staying several years. I want to buy a rebreather but the first thing that I have noticed is that here there are much less popular that in the USA.My question to you rebreather guys in Europe is: Do you find it hard to dive rebreathers in the sence that dive operators will not let you get in their boat/shop. Can you dive with OC divers or are they reluctant to go with you so you can only dive with fellow rebreather divers? Well, you see where I am heading with these questions. Any comment will be appreciated.Thank you;Steve

Brainx3 · 22nd January 2008, 08:36

Hi,

I never heard of any dive center in Europe that wouldn't allow you diving a CCR unit. The only thing that you need to take into consideration is that many dive centers don't have sorb for CCR diving so you would need to take your own as well as have your own spare parts kit ready. Otherwise, just make sure of the quality of air before you fill up your tanks as many dive centers especially under high season don't really keep track of their air quality all the time.

Enjoy your stay and dive safely

Best Regards. Wael

***EBT*** · 22nd January 2008, 08:44

Europe is not barcelona, as Im sure many from there are quite happy to confirm. The european ccr market has its quirks, but I'd suspect its probably bigger than the US market (in terms of units deployed).

What you lack in the US is the shear ammount of overpaid beuracrats setting rules on what you can and cant do... and yes, it varies by country.

***caveseeker7*** · 22nd January 2008, 09:18

Well some dive centers and boats rather have nothing to do with CCRs, but I made the same experience in SoCal. Just gotta hook up with the locals and pick the right places and operators.

Remember Kim Smith telling me that they sell more Kiss units to Europe than in the US, the AP units have been strong sellers, too. Also, likely many more SCRs in Europe than the US, they never really caught on well there.

It does depend a lot on the area, though, the UK is probably way ahead of the continent in that respect. Quite a few in France, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, too.

More in Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland ... the numbers are rising, people hook up here or on local boards, do trips together.

Mikel-Deko · 22nd January 2008, 10:28

Hi and welcome to Spain
Take a contact with Jordi Mateo (www.hmdiver.com). He is a good guy, instructor of a lot of rebreather and sure he will help you with everything.
Best
Mikel
PD: he is also in Rebreather World

Icarusflies · 22nd January 2008, 12:14

Thanks for the feed back;

I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe.

Mikel, I have met Jordi, indeed, he is a very knowledgeable diver and a very good guy.

Do you guys dive sometimes with OC divers?

Steve

Nad · 22nd January 2008, 12:22

Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies)

Thanks for the feed back;

I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe.

Mikel, I have met Jordi, indeed, he is a very knowledgeable diver and a very good guy.

Do you guys dive sometimes with OC divers?

Steve

I do it.
Always the same divers, all tech and or Trimix divers. This mean that they are equipped for long duration...

Nad

Ben Field · 22nd January 2008, 12:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies)

I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe.

Steve, take a look at the Rebreather World World Map, Rebreathers are everywhere in Europe, lots of instructors too.

There is also some pretty good diving near you in the Med.

JCdesign97 · 22nd January 2008, 12:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT)

What you lack in the US is the shear ammount of overpaid beuracrats setting rules on what you can and cant do...

At first glance I said "Wha...?" because we certainly don't seem to be lacking bureaucrats setting rules; but perhaps you're right. We more than make up for it, however, with overpaid liability lawyers waiting to swoop down wherever rules aren't clearly defined enough on what you can and can't do and some poor, unwitting, innocent 'victim' winds up hurt or dead as a result ...

DT Diver · 22nd January 2008, 14:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies)

the first thing that I have noticed is that here there are much less popular that in the USA.

I guess that depends on where in Europe you are.

In the UK the rebreather market is very active. There are plenty of rebreather divers, instructors and even our very own manufacturer.

I've tended to think of the UK as being ahead of the US in terms of rebreather usage and inovation.

22nd January 2008, 08:30	#1 (permalink)
Icarusflies New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 52	acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Hello All;I just arrived to Barcelona, Spain where I will be staying several years. I want to buy a rebreather but the first thing that I have noticed is that here there are much less popular that in the USA.My question to you rebreather guys in Europe is: Do you find it hard to dive rebreathers in the sence that dive operators will not let you get in their boat/shop. Can you dive with OC divers or are they reluctant to go with you so you can only dive with fellow rebreather divers? Well, you see where I am heading with these questions. Any comment will be appreciated.Thank you;Steve
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22nd January 2008, 08:36	#2 (permalink)
Brainx3 Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Borås, Sweden Posts: 274	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Hi, I never heard of any dive center in Europe that wouldn't allow you diving a CCR unit. The only thing that you need to take into consideration is that many dive centers don't have sorb for CCR diving so you would need to take your own as well as have your own spare parts kit ready. Otherwise, just make sure of the quality of air before you fill up your tanks as many dive centers especially under high season don't really keep track of their air quality all the time. Enjoy your stay and dive safely Best Regards. Wael __________________ The depth of life cannot be measured in Bars, nor can the sea of lies, that lies within. *I don't take crap for an answer...*
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22nd January 2008, 08:44	#3 (permalink)
*EBT* Apprentice Luddite Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK, Brighton Posts: 1,825	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Europe is not barcelona, as Im sure many from there are quite happy to confirm. The european ccr market has its quirks, but I'd suspect its probably bigger than the US market (in terms of units deployed). What you lack in the US is the shear ammount of overpaid beuracrats setting rules on what you can and cant do... and yes, it varies by country. __________________ Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Rebreather World Terms of service Real diving t-shirts for real divers
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22nd January 2008, 09:18	#4 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,281	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Well some dive centers and boats rather have nothing to do with CCRs, but I made the same experience in SoCal. Just gotta hook up with the locals and pick the right places and operators. Remember Kim Smith telling me that they sell more Kiss units to Europe than in the US, the AP units have been strong sellers, too. Also, likely many more SCRs in Europe than the US, they never really caught on well there. It does depend a lot on the area, though, the UK is probably way ahead of the continent in that respect. Quite a few in France, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, too. More in Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland ... the numbers are rising, people hook up here or on local boards, do trips together. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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22nd January 2008, 10:28	#5 (permalink)
Mikel-Deko Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Basque Country -Sp- Posts: 406	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Hi and welcome to Spain Take a contact with Jordi Mateo (www.hmdiver.com). He is a good guy, instructor of a lot of rebreather and sure he will help you with everything. Best Mikel PD: he is also in Rebreather World __________________ Mikel-Deko Basque Country www.olatu.net "DIR is the nanny state for divers who cannot think on their own" Ron Micjan
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22nd January 2008, 12:14	#6 (permalink)
Icarusflies New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 52	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Thanks for the feed back; I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe. Mikel, I have met Jordi, indeed, he is a very knowledgeable diver and a very good guy. Do you guys dive sometimes with OC divers? Steve
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22nd January 2008, 12:22	#7 (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: 924	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies) Thanks for the feed back; I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe. Mikel, I have met Jordi, indeed, he is a very knowledgeable diver and a very good guy. Do you guys dive sometimes with OC divers? Steve I do it. Always the same divers, all tech and or Trimix divers. This mean that they are equipped for long duration... Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
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22nd January 2008, 12:37	#8 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,442	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies) I did not realize there were so many rebreathers in Europe. Steve, take a look at the Rebreather World World Map, Rebreathers are everywhere in Europe, lots of instructors too. There is also some pretty good diving near you in the Med. __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
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22nd January 2008, 12:57	#9 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 350	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT) What you lack in the US is the shear ammount of overpaid beuracrats setting rules on what you can and cant do... At first glance I said "Wha...?" because we certainly don't seem to be lacking bureaucrats setting rules; but perhaps you're right. We more than make up for it, however, with overpaid liability lawyers waiting to swoop down wherever rules aren't clearly defined enough on what you can and can't do and some poor, unwitting, innocent 'victim' winds up hurt or dead as a result ... __________________ Cheers, John
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22nd January 2008, 14:40	#10 (permalink)
DT Diver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5	Re: acceptance of Rebreather in Europe.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Icarusflies) the first thing that I have noticed is that here there are much less popular that in the USA. I guess that depends on where in Europe you are. In the UK the rebreather market is very active. There are plenty of rebreather divers, instructors and even our very own manufacturer. I've tended to think of the UK as being ahead of the US in terms of rebreather usage and inovation.
(Offline)

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