New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA

warjarrett · 2nd August 2007, 03:00

Hello rebreather breathers. My name is Warren. I have been diving since I was a young teenager in 1972, and now I just bought a Prism, used, here in the used equipment forum. I dont know much about it yet, but I am reading Jeff Bozanic's book, and I am about to start training. Funny thing about Prisms, there is a modification fever that takes hold immediatly. Already, I want to experiment with harnesses, bouyancy bladders, and cylinders. Yes, I want to change out the aluminum 19s for steel 13s. Does anyone have any direct experience about this? My dream is to have the smallest, lightest Prism possible. But with the usable scubber life, I am not sure what sense it makes to limit the time available from the gas I am carrying. Oh, one more thing: I am a local diver, beach dives and Catalina dive trips only. I enjoy the kelp forests here in California, and the vitality of underwater life that lives in them. I have visited a few exotic places, but while I am there I prefer exploring the culture and history ABOVE water, instead of spending my hard-earned vacation time BELOW water. I think California diving is stupendous. Warm water, crystal clear visibility, and small brightly-colored fish dont seem to impress me as much as absolute quantity and scale of sea life.

**DeepBlueInnovation** · 2nd August 2007, 03:12

Hi Warren and welcome!

FWIW I would suggest not modifying the unit until after you have done the course. Get a feel for the unit as it was designed, understand why things are done the way they are, then start changing things if you still feel the need. I have certainly changed my unit extensively, but to make it heavier not lighter as I don't like carrying a weight belt. I have also swapped over to a harness and plate and a different wing but each modification has been for a specific reason - clipping stages, trim etc.

Also, I know that there was a change in the bucket size after my unit, but three hours seems extraordinarily short duration on your scrubber - I run mine for six - one pound per hour is the general rule (taking into account conditions etc).

Enjoy your unit and you never know - maybe those under water destinations overseas will look a whole lot more appealing!

Cheers,

Ben.

silent running · 2nd August 2007, 04:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by warjarrett)

Hello rebreather breathers. My name is Warren. I have been diving since I was a young teenager in 1972, and now I just bought a Prism, used, here in the used equipment forum. I dont know much about it yet, but I am reading Jeff Bozanic's book, and I am about to start training. Funny thing about Prisms, there is a modification fever that takes hold immediatly. Already, I want to experiment with harnesses, bouyancy bladders, and cylinders. Yes, I want to change out the aluminum 19s for steel 13s. Does anyone have any direct experience about this? My dream is to have the smallest, lightest Prism possible. But with the usable scubber life of about 3 hours, I am not sure what sense it makes to limit the time available from the gas I am carrying. Oh, one more thing: I am a local diver, beach dives and Catalina dive trips only. I have gone to a few exotic places, but while I am there I prefer exploring the culture and history ABOVE water, not really see the small, brightly colored fish BELOW water.

Hello Warren, welcome and congratualtions on the purchase. If you don't mind my asking, how old is the unit?

And I agree with Ben, do the course first then you will see what works for you and what doesn't. I found the stock harness very comfortable and only recently changed mine to a web harness for carrying bigger bail out. I dove my unit bone stock for about 5 years.

As for the cylinders, the stock Aly 19s allow you to use the cowling, which I would recomend as it weighs very little and gives lots of slip and fall protection for beach diving. And unless you have a booster, one 13 of O2 won't get you through a 3 dive day... -Andy

babar · 2nd August 2007, 04:27

Congrats on your new purchase.

BTW, Jeff doesn't live too far from there, you could contact him for training if you were so inclined.

**Lake_Tahoe_Diver** · 2nd August 2007, 17:38

Welcome to the group and on congrats on your new toy. if you are diving a stock setup keep the 19's since the alternate air source on the prism is feed from it. This way you have a little more gas to use if needed, but I would still carry a bailout bottle just incase.

hirudin · 2nd August 2007, 17:42

Warren, ol' sausage!

Good to have you on board! Looking forward to some silent diving with you soon. When are you booked in to do the course?

-Jesse-

***caveseeker7*** · 2nd August 2007, 19:28

Hi Warren, welcome to Rebreather World.

Sorry I missed you in LA, lived up the road from Jeff B in Huntington Beach till last summer.
Could have made the intro. CA diving is great, and better with CCR.

2nd August 2007, 03:00	#1 (permalink)
warjarrett New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 51	New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Hello rebreather breathers. My name is Warren. I have been diving since I was a young teenager in 1972, and now I just bought a Prism, used, here in the used equipment forum. I dont know much about it yet, but I am reading Jeff Bozanic's book, and I am about to start training. Funny thing about Prisms, there is a modification fever that takes hold immediatly. Already, I want to experiment with harnesses, bouyancy bladders, and cylinders. Yes, I want to change out the aluminum 19s for steel 13s. Does anyone have any direct experience about this? My dream is to have the smallest, lightest Prism possible. But with the usable scubber life, I am not sure what sense it makes to limit the time available from the gas I am carrying. Oh, one more thing: I am a local diver, beach dives and Catalina dive trips only. I enjoy the kelp forests here in California, and the vitality of underwater life that lives in them. I have visited a few exotic places, but while I am there I prefer exploring the culture and history ABOVE water, instead of spending my hard-earned vacation time BELOW water. I think California diving is stupendous. Warm water, crystal clear visibility, and small brightly-colored fish dont seem to impress me as much as absolute quantity and scale of sea life. Last edited by warjarrett : 2nd August 2007 at 05:54.
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2nd August 2007, 03:12	#2 (permalink)
DeepBlueInnovation Prism #007 Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 311	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Hi Warren and welcome! FWIW I would suggest not modifying the unit until after you have done the course. Get a feel for the unit as it was designed, understand why things are done the way they are, then start changing things if you still feel the need. I have certainly changed my unit extensively, but to make it heavier not lighter as I don't like carrying a weight belt. I have also swapped over to a harness and plate and a different wing but each modification has been for a specific reason - clipping stages, trim etc. Also, I know that there was a change in the bucket size after my unit, but three hours seems extraordinarily short duration on your scrubber - I run mine for six - one pound per hour is the general rule (taking into account conditions etc). Enjoy your unit and you never know - maybe those under water destinations overseas will look a whole lot more appealing! Cheers, Ben.
(Online)

2nd August 2007, 04:14	#3 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,776	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Quote: (Originally Posted by warjarrett) Hello rebreather breathers. My name is Warren. I have been diving since I was a young teenager in 1972, and now I just bought a Prism, used, here in the used equipment forum. I dont know much about it yet, but I am reading Jeff Bozanic's book, and I am about to start training. Funny thing about Prisms, there is a modification fever that takes hold immediatly. Already, I want to experiment with harnesses, bouyancy bladders, and cylinders. Yes, I want to change out the aluminum 19s for steel 13s. Does anyone have any direct experience about this? My dream is to have the smallest, lightest Prism possible. But with the usable scubber life of about 3 hours, I am not sure what sense it makes to limit the time available from the gas I am carrying. Oh, one more thing: I am a local diver, beach dives and Catalina dive trips only. I have gone to a few exotic places, but while I am there I prefer exploring the culture and history ABOVE water, not really see the small, brightly colored fish BELOW water. Hello Warren, welcome and congratualtions on the purchase. If you don't mind my asking, how old is the unit? And I agree with Ben, do the course first then you will see what works for you and what doesn't. I found the stock harness very comfortable and only recently changed mine to a web harness for carrying bigger bail out. I dove my unit bone stock for about 5 years. As for the cylinders, the stock Aly 19s allow you to use the cowling, which I would recomend as it weighs very little and gives lots of slip and fall protection for beach diving. And unless you have a booster, one 13 of O2 won't get you through a 3 dive day... -Andy
(Online)

2nd August 2007, 04:27	#4 (permalink)
babar Curmudgeon Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Sport Kiss Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 416	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Congrats on your new purchase. BTW, Jeff doesn't live too far from there, you could contact him for training if you were so inclined. __________________ Babar Evolution Plus Sport kiss
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2nd August 2007, 17:38	#5 (permalink)
Lake_Tahoe_Diver Enjoying the silence Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, Nv. (Lake Tahoe) Posts: 185	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Welcome to the group and on congrats on your new toy. if you are diving a stock setup keep the 19's since the alternate air source on the prism is feed from it. This way you have a little more gas to use if needed, but I would still carry a bailout bottle just incase. __________________ Scuba Diving,the only sport where it is good to be in over your head....
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2nd August 2007, 17:42	#6 (permalink)
hirudin New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: rock-hopper Posts: 52	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Warren, ol' sausage! Good to have you on board! Looking forward to some silent diving with you soon. When are you booked in to do the course? -Jesse-
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2nd August 2007, 19:28	#7 (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: 5,325	Re: New Prism diver in Long Beach, CA Hi Warren, welcome to Rebreather World. Sorry I missed you in LA, lived up the road from Jeff B in Huntington Beach till last summer. Could have made the intro. CA diving is great, and better with CCR. __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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