Putting my unit away for 9 months

Dive Sprite

Hi all,
I've been diagnosed with a PFO recently, and therefore will not be diving for at least nine months until its fixed and tested.

Does anyone have any recommendations for:

• How to store my unit so it won't get too dry or damp / attract moths or spiders
• If I should remove the batteries completely
• How to stay positive and not loose all my skills / get too fat and unfit

Thank you in advance.

diverklondike

Clean the unit & loop allowing it to completely dry - Remove batteries... Remove cells... Store in AP box in a cool dry place...

Best of luck!

Mark

Beanie

I'd disinfect it well celan it well dry it very well.
I would say take the batteries out would be safest (check with AP that there's no reason to leave them in).
The same could be said for the cells.

leave some gas in the cylinders or sell them now and buy new when your ready to dive again.

Store it somewhere cool and dry, not hot and not cold.

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Beanie

tights for the openings into lungs etc to let air in and bugs out.

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PaulTG2

Hello,

For skills I would consider:

1) Once a week take an few hours and mentally complete the process of planning, preparing, diving, and post dive efforts for a deep technical dive with deco. Add an overhead environment if you normally dive them. Run through a number of different emergencies. Make this as detailed as possible in your mind -- mentally complete each step and movement Even better, close your eyes and mime the movements as you do each part of the dive. One of my rebreather instructors said that, as far as proficiency and skills are concerned, studies show this is almost as good as actually doing it.


2) Read at least one book a month on the details, physics, methods, etc of technical and rebreather diving. Read books with detail and information you think you know and challenge yourself to find something you forgot or remembered incorrectly.

3) Once a month run through all the paperwork, formulas, charts, software, etc used to properly plan a complicated dive. Do it all by the book even if you don't normally do it for your dives.

4) Once a week read and consider all the details of at least one dive accident or incident for which substantial details have been reported. Consider the accident chain and how you might change your diving to prevent a similar event in your diving.

5) If your computer and/or controllers lets you, put them in simulation mode and run a dive on the couch once a month. Run through all the menus and enter and select different gas profiles.

6) If you're qualified and able, teach a quarterly class on some dive subject. Nothing teaches someone more about a subject than teaching.

7) Take an advanced first aid class or refresher.

8) Write an article or two about diving for rebreather world. Either technical or a story about a close call or learning experience you had while diving.

9) Mentor someone new to rebreathers. Help them select equipment.

10) Take one of your past instructors to dinner and drinks and thank them for helping keep you alive. Preferably take the one that never stops telling stories. Try to learn two critical safety-related lesson from each of the stories they tell. I can recommend a few story tellers if you'd like.



Have fun doing this stuff.

Sincerely,

Paul

jptaylor9

I'd remove the batteries & cells & store unit with an empty scrubber & partially inflated lungs. Stood up in the APD crate, rather than laying down.

When you dive again, fit new batteries & cells, also possibly do a refresher course (1 day) with you instructor.

Check with APD as well.

Brainx3

Hi,


The guys' tips are very useful. I would also add that it's also good after drying the battery contacts to spray them with some anti-corrossion liquid as it also offers protection. And before you start using the unit again then you need to prepare yourself logistically and financially to make the annual service (replacing O2 Cells, O-Ring, ADV Service, First Stages, DSV Service, etc). As well don't forget to renew your insurance before you start diving again. Try to stay active on Rebreather World forum as the information posted here gets you updated in many ways.


Best Regards. Wael

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Explorer

You are a smarter diver looking after number one. Thinking about family is also a important concern. Your unit will be waiting for you and so will the ocean. I hope more divers will think your way.

I agree with Mark. Best of luck for sure!!!!

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colinj

You could also write up your experiences going through the pre/post op processes, loads of divers will benefit from that if you can comitt to it, let me know if you want to talk through with another PFO diver (you probably have already but.....) as an eanx student (although not a Rebreather diver) of mine went through this 18 months ago and is now well and truly back up and diving. Main thing, do everything the guys have said so far and stay real positive.

Regards, Col

caverkevin

How about keeping it active and playing in the pool every other week on pure O2?

Cheers!!

Kevin