[Craig Baumann]

My name is Craig and I am a PADI Scuba instructor in Portland, Oregon. Recently a friend of mine came to visit me, a Mr. Evan Kovacs... underwater cinematographer, wreck diver, researcher for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and filmmaker for History Channel. Evan brought along a rebreather he has adapted for side mount – with components used from a Prism. Other side mount rebreathers are being adapted by a friend of Evan's, from Megalodon components.

My interest in rebreathers is completely new. I was fascinated as Evan explained every detail of his to me - we traveled to a dive shop for an O2 fill, specially ordered some DiveSorb for his scrubber - he carefully took his components apart and fit them back together again, showing me every connection and explaining the entire apparatus to me. On the Thursday of his visit to Portland, we performed two dives in Puget Sound to a moderate depth of 150 feet. I was diving air and had a deco obligation, but I believe he had none because of the use of his rebreather.

This experience with Evan through his enjoyable visit has hooked me on the idea of some day owning my own rebreather. The Megalodon is produced a short distance to the north of Portland in Washington State, so it will most likely be my rebreather of choice. Other ideas have entered my scope, of some day training rebreather-divers, but for now, I need extended mixed gas training and more dive time at greater depths.

I thank Evan, for inspiring me to move in the next most logical challenge in my dive exploration. I appreciate the chance to join this forum and I look forward to what I can learn from it and the contributions I will make to it.

Best to you all,

Craig Baumann
Sea Star Scuba - Portland, Oregon
PADI MSDT, 98317
diver_gent@msn.com