Are Rebreather's a waste for sport depth limits?

kpalas

Just looking for some opinions here...what do you think.

Do you think investing in a rebreather and the training required would be a waste if you only were going to be diving above 130 ft., and not doing deep/deco/trimix type diving?

Warren_L

Depending on the type of Rebreather, you can get significantly longer NDL times at recreational depths. Especially more the shallower you are. If that is a waste, then the answer to your question is yes. Also, it can shorten greatly your deco obligations for recreational depths. Again, if that is a waste, then don't buy a RB.

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lizardland

For me, no. If my diving was still <40m and open water then I'd still be diving OC. I went diving a couple of weeks ago, taking a non-diving friend along. It really is noticeable how much of a hassle it is when you are not amongst other Rebreather divers. I couldn't be bothered with RB diving if I didn't need to. I spent two hours the other night trying to work out a problem with my displays. You don't get that aggravation on OC.

But I guess "need" is a fairly subjective term.

It's added cost, maintenance, consumables, training, toys, time, more time, fixing, fettling... Everyone has their own threshold though.

On the other hand, rebreather diving opens up deeper and/or overhead environments. When I was still on OC I had pretty much given up trimix diving after about 10yrs of gas diving due to the costs, owning a rebreather changed that.

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schford

I wouldnt go back to OC I love the flexibility.....

I often do fluffy shallow dives for 2 or 3 hours when I am some where warm - I just pootle along wathcing things that interest me and come up when I get bored not when my single runs out of air.....

Stuart

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Digger

For me, I'd happily dive OC if I was never going to do deeper dives. But I do, so now I dive the Rebreather for everything where I can. Means I get used to doing it that way, plus switching regs about etc is a pain.

OC is just so easy. It feels easier, it's quicker to get geared up (esp in hot countries!) and it's simple. Plus fixing it in the middle of nowhere is easier, spares kit much smaller.

So, basically, no. I wouldn't do it. It's not worth the money etc. when a sensible sized twinset would give you very similar dives in all probability, but then for me it's the cold that gets me up not the gas or the deco. If the water was warmer I'd be there for hours, but the tide turns here so you can't do 2 hr bottom times on most dives, and there are other people on the boat who have a wife and kids to get back to!

Digs.

Mdemon

I don't think so. I don't know too many people who would get a rebreather and just stop there either.

I love mine and love the fact that I can dive unlimited by the gas on my back (practically-speaking.) Sure,there's more too it than OC, but I enjoy that as well. The over-riding reason is safety - as much gas as I need.

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"Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"

jaap

Well I guess in the end it would be a question of interest. If rebreathers interest you then that alone can motivate some of the added hassel.

Sure OC is alot less complicated, at least for dives that can be done safely on a singel tank.

I only use OC when doing dives with students, even if OC would be less complicated in many cases if prefer to dive my Rebreather as much as possible.

Even if you are only going to dive to max 130ft and use nitrox to get better bottomtimes a CCR still has some advantages. As long as is works properly gas consumption is no longer a concern. A CCR also lets you do alot of diving without having to get to a compressor.

Even if I don't need to dive a CCR for me getting away with all the handling of my heavy twinsets and gasmixing is worth alot. And on OC if you want to optimize your gas you are vulnerable to weatherchanges forcing you to dive other sites. That is no big deal with a CCR.

If you happen to dive near some marine life a rebreather is also nicer.

But on the other hand, if you happen to have a sensor problem or something and you are already at a dive site...well then you can certainly wish that you had OC gear with you. Unless you have enough spares or Rebreather-buddies with you to work it out.

kpalas

Would a SCR be a better choice?

caveseeker7

A question that everyone has to answer for him- or herself.
How much you enjoy diving the rebreather?
How easy is it for you to afford to?
Do you mind the required pre- and post dive time for a Rebreather?

Several rebreathers are designed for recreational depths,
and plenty of divers stay within that design envelope.

The ease of setup and cleanup of a single tank OC kit is certainly
very convenient, something I can appreciate for a quick single dive.
Beach dive in the morning for example.

More than one dive a day make using the rebreather worth it in my mind.
Anything that requires doubles better have a rebreather in between.

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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.'!"

caveseeker7

Sport Kiss owners will tell you 'NO! " while Dolphin,
Azimuth and Submatix divers will likely tell you "Yes! "

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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.'!"