First Evolution in New Zealand?

Janeybick · 27th March 2007, 23:25

I've been a diver for a long time now (any fellow EUSACers out there?), big into wrecks but put of technical diving by the amount of kit involved. Then I met my husband, taught him to dive and, like many blokes, he got a bit obsessed with the kit. So I relented, did the TDI courses and bought some stage bottles but still thought rebreathers were a step too far (and out of our price range). Then we decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and went back to the UK for a weekend before we left. He dragged me to Divers Warehouse, I lifted the Evolution on to my back and ordered one on the spot. Fortunately the house sale funded an Inspo for t'other half and we did the training with Pete Mesley once we arrived in NZ.

Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there.

Still don't understand the male kit obsession, but do love my breather!

Jane

Gregv · 28th March 2007, 01:56

Hi Jane

Nice to see another member of the growing Kiwi Rebreather contingent make it onto Rebreather World (even if you're still fresh off the boat so to speak).

Hope to see you out at the Knights getting some hours up on the unit. Ask Pete about the whale we got to swim with out there last weekend!

Greg

PeteS · 28th March 2007, 10:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by Janeybick)

Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there.

Welcome to NZ.

The cylinder problem is interesting. I you work it out, let me know!

kiwidiver · 28th March 2007, 18:56

you could always buy your own compressor and never have to worry about the thieving bureaucrat's.At $180 ish per lab no plus paperwork and tail chasing might be worth considering

Morg_NZ · 28th March 2007, 19:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by Janeybick)

I've been a diver for a long time now (any fellow EUSACers out there?), big into wrecks but put of technical diving by the amount of kit involved. Then I met my husband, taught him to dive and, like many blokes, he got a bit obsessed with the kit. So I relented, did the TDI courses and bought some stage bottles but still thought rebreathers were a step too far (and out of our price range). Then we decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and went back to the UK for a weekend before we left. He dragged me to Divers Warehouse, I lifted the Evolution on to my back and ordered one on the spot. Fortunately the house sale funded an Inspo for t'other half and we did the training with Pete Mesley once we arrived in NZ.

Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there.

Still don't understand the male kit obsession, but do love my breather!

Jane

Should have tried a Meg.......

No problems fitting any cylinder to it then.

Your the first Kiwi Evo dive

I'm the first Meg Kiwi diver

You could do a mixing course and fill ya cylinders your self?? and avoid the "official" testing.

PeteS · 29th March 2007, 08:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by Morg_NZ)

Should have tried a Meg.......

No problems fitting any cylinder to it then.

Your the first Kiwi Evo dive

I'm the first Meg Kiwi diver

You could do a mixing course and fill ya cylinders your self?? and avoid the "official" testing.

The Law requires you comply with the standard. The standard requires a yearly "air purity test". These cost $700, and are, as I understand it, only available via NZ underwater. You can't go to a shop for a fill unless your bottles comply with NZ standard and NZ standard only (no equivalents allowed). They only comply if you have a "Lab number". If you present your bottles for testing or cleaning to a test centre and they don't comply, they must, by law, destroy the bottle.

And they wonder why people operate outside the law.......

ccrmike · 2nd April 2007, 02:13

Welcome to new Zealand...

Get out to the mokahinau islands if you get a chance....we could see the surface from 60m yesterday...lovelly.

cylinder testing is a pain here...

Mike

divelermentov · 2nd April 2007, 05:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by Morg_NZ)

Should have tried a Meg.......

No problems fitting any cylinder to it then.

.

or you put your evo into a travel frame

27th March 2007, 23:25	#1 (permalink)
Janeybick New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Auckland Posts: 1	First Evolution in New Zealand? I've been a diver for a long time now (any fellow EUSACers out there?), big into wrecks but put of technical diving by the amount of kit involved. Then I met my husband, taught him to dive and, like many blokes, he got a bit obsessed with the kit. So I relented, did the TDI courses and bought some stage bottles but still thought rebreathers were a step too far (and out of our price range). Then we decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and went back to the UK for a weekend before we left. He dragged me to Divers Warehouse, I lifted the Evolution on to my back and ordered one on the spot. Fortunately the house sale funded an Inspo for t'other half and we did the training with Pete Mesley once we arrived in NZ. Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there. Still don't understand the male kit obsession, but do love my breather! Jane
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28th March 2007, 01:56	#2 (permalink)
Gregv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Ray Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whangarei, New Zealand Posts: 29	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Hi Jane Nice to see another member of the growing Kiwi Rebreather contingent make it onto Rebreather World (even if you're still fresh off the boat so to speak). Hope to see you out at the Knights getting some hours up on the unit. Ask Pete about the whale we got to swim with out there last weekend! Greg
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28th March 2007, 10:04	#3 (permalink)
PeteS Consent Issued! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 511	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Quote: (Originally Posted by Janeybick) Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there. Welcome to NZ. The cylinder problem is interesting. I you work it out, let me know! __________________ Pete S. http://www.steggle.co.nz Every silver lining has a cloud
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28th March 2007, 18:56	#4 (permalink)
kiwidiver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: new zealand Posts: 128	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? you could always buy your own compressor and never have to worry about the thieving bureaucrat's.At $180 ish per lab no plus paperwork and tail chasing might be worth considering
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28th March 2007, 19:49	#5 (permalink)
Morg_NZ Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, England. Posts: 133	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Quote: (Originally Posted by Janeybick) I've been a diver for a long time now (any fellow EUSACers out there?), big into wrecks but put of technical diving by the amount of kit involved. Then I met my husband, taught him to dive and, like many blokes, he got a bit obsessed with the kit. So I relented, did the TDI courses and bought some stage bottles but still thought rebreathers were a step too far (and out of our price range). Then we decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and went back to the UK for a weekend before we left. He dragged me to Divers Warehouse, I lifted the Evolution on to my back and ordered one on the spot. Fortunately the house sale funded an Inspo for t'other half and we did the training with Pete Mesley once we arrived in NZ. Only trauma I'm having is trying to get the 2l Evo bottles (and our brand new 5&7l Luxfer Al stagies) approved for use in NZ, as there's none over here yet. The tortuous process involves no end of paperchasing, 3rd party inspection stamps and bursting discs for the larger cylinders - looks like it might be a no-go for the Luxfers as no third party stamps, so would appreciate advice from any NZ residents out there. Still don't understand the male kit obsession, but do love my breather! Jane Should have tried a Meg....... No problems fitting any cylinder to it then. Your the first Kiwi Evo dive I'm the first Meg Kiwi diver You could do a mixing course and fill ya cylinders your self?? and avoid the "official" testing. __________________ "Love like like you've never been hurt, live like there is no tomorrow and f%ck like your in a porn film"
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29th March 2007, 08:55	#6 (permalink)
PeteS Consent Issued! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 511	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Quote: (Originally Posted by Morg_NZ) Should have tried a Meg....... No problems fitting any cylinder to it then. Your the first Kiwi Evo dive I'm the first Meg Kiwi diver You could do a mixing course and fill ya cylinders your self?? and avoid the "official" testing. The Law requires you comply with the standard. The standard requires a yearly "air purity test". These cost $700, and are, as I understand it, only available via NZ underwater. You can't go to a shop for a fill unless your bottles comply with NZ standard and NZ standard only (no equivalents allowed). They only comply if you have a "Lab number". If you present your bottles for testing or cleaning to a test centre and they don't comply, they must, by law, destroy the bottle. And they wonder why people operate outside the law....... __________________ Pete S. http://www.steggle.co.nz Every silver lining has a cloud
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2nd April 2007, 02:13	#7 (permalink)
ccrmike New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 6	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Welcome to new Zealand... Get out to the mokahinau islands if you get a chance....we could see the surface from 60m yesterday...lovelly. cylinder testing is a pain here... Mike
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2nd April 2007, 05:01	#8 (permalink)
divelermentov Nutty dentist - uwdriller Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Auckland Posts: 600	Re: First Evolution in New Zealand? Quote: (Originally Posted by Morg_NZ) Should have tried a Meg....... No problems fitting any cylinder to it then. . or you put your evo into a travel frame __________________ May The Sorb Be With You
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