Another new guy!

rhelsley · 18th October 2007, 03:02

I've been watching the Rebreather World forums for a couple of years and think it's about time I come out from the shadows.

I live in the Seattle area (NW USA for you internationals) and have been scuba and freediving here for 17 years. Two years ago I converted to closed circuit, diving a made-from-scratch homebuilt nicknamed "kevorkian" that operates by CMF. Kevorkian is a completely manual (including diluent add) Rebreather that I've dove around 200 times, down to depths of 250'.

My training was the standard KISS training (using a rented Classic KISS) as kevorkian operates on the same principle as the KISS, administered by a local instructor . I later upgraded my knowledge to CCR trimix after I gained some experience and honed my basic skills with kevorkian.

I tend to be a bit biased and naturally evangelize the merits of manual rebreathers, and will take this opportunity to respect Gordon Smith and acknowledge his contributions to sensible Rebreather design & safety.

Also I appreciate the knowledge base that contributes to this forum. I have certainly been enlightened to many safety issues related to Rebreather's as well as techniques and design considerations. Big thanks to the rebreatherworld regulars.

Hopefully I've learned some things over the last couple of years that I can share with the group, and maybe I'll start with a tour of kevorkian in the near future.

Cheers!

russell helsley
Seattle, WA USA

sven · 18th October 2007, 05:11

Welcome Russell!
I guess by now everyone is looking forward to be introduced to Kevorkian. Pictures please :-) And once you're at it: Where does the name come from? The story of a Dr.K. springs to mind?

Enjoy Rebreather World & we look forward to your contributions as well.

Greetings from sunny Sydney!

rhelsley · 18th October 2007, 05:41

Thanks for the warm welcome, Sven.

The name "kevorkian" is based on the infamous Dr. Kevorkian. I chose the name as it serves me a constant reminder that a rebreather on your back is actively trying to kill you.

It bothers some of my buddies that I chose such a derogatory name, but I didn't want to "sugar-coat" my unit with a misleading label.

Gordon Smith installed his famous warning placcard on his rebreathers, my warning is built right into the name.

regards,

russell

bourskov · 18th October 2007, 06:23

Welcome aboard....

Cheers
Bo Urskov

***schford*** · 18th October 2007, 08:03

Welcome to the black sheep squadron as a friend used to say!

silentscuba · 18th October 2007, 12:22

Welcome Russ!!! It's about time you showed yourself.

I want everyone to know that Russ has contributed greatly to our local rebreather community by being involved, coming up with ingenius ideas and helping others with designing and making little bits and pieces for projects.

Russ is also the best person around that I know with regards to reading the tides, hooking a wreck and providing the best opportunity for a succesful dive.

When you see his homebuilt (Kevorkian) you will be amazed by his talent. He has taken his rebreather and dove the toughest local wreck that we have, the "Governor" and Kevorkian has served him well.

I really hope he will post some pictures and shares his design with the board

.

Welcome aboard Russ

**Dsix36** · 18th October 2007, 22:27

Welcome to the forum!
We can't wait to see pics of this famous rebreather.
Just my opinion, but the name and the reason for it, makes perfect sense to me.

**Fun Under Pressure** · 19th October 2007, 14:55

Welcome and lot of fun here on Rebreather World: Greatings from germany.

Cheers Markku

18th October 2007, 03:02	#1 (permalink)
rhelsley New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: seattle, usa Posts: 28	Another new guy! I've been watching the Rebreather World forums for a couple of years and think it's about time I come out from the shadows. I live in the Seattle area (NW USA for you internationals) and have been scuba and freediving here for 17 years. Two years ago I converted to closed circuit, diving a made-from-scratch homebuilt nicknamed "kevorkian" that operates by CMF. Kevorkian is a completely manual (including diluent add) Rebreather that I've dove around 200 times, down to depths of 250'. My training was the standard KISS training (using a rented Classic KISS) as kevorkian operates on the same principle as the KISS, administered by a local instructor . I later upgraded my knowledge to CCR trimix after I gained some experience and honed my basic skills with kevorkian. I tend to be a bit biased and naturally evangelize the merits of manual rebreathers, and will take this opportunity to respect Gordon Smith and acknowledge his contributions to sensible Rebreather design & safety. Also I appreciate the knowledge base that contributes to this forum. I have certainly been enlightened to many safety issues related to Rebreather's as well as techniques and design considerations. Big thanks to the rebreatherworld regulars. Hopefully I've learned some things over the last couple of years that I can share with the group, and maybe I'll start with a tour of kevorkian in the near future. Cheers! russell helsley Seattle, WA USA
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18th October 2007, 05:11	#2 (permalink)
sven Blogs Admin / Forum Mod Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 574	Re: Another new guy! Welcome Russell! I guess by now everyone is looking forward to be introduced to Kevorkian. Pictures please :-) And once you're at it: Where does the name come from? The story of a Dr.K. springs to mind? Enjoy Rebreather World & we look forward to your contributions as well. Greetings from sunny Sydney! __________________ Regards, Sven [SIZE=1]The Sydney Project website: [URL]http://www.sydneyproject.com[/URL] My Blog: [URL]http://sven.rebreatherworld.com[/URL] "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain[/SIZE]
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18th October 2007, 05:41	#3 (permalink)
rhelsley New Member Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: seattle, usa Posts: 28	Re: Another new guy! Thanks for the warm welcome, Sven. The name "kevorkian" is based on the infamous Dr. Kevorkian. I chose the name as it serves me a constant reminder that a rebreather on your back is actively trying to kill you. It bothers some of my buddies that I chose such a derogatory name, but I didn't want to "sugar-coat" my unit with a misleading label. Gordon Smith installed his famous warning placcard on his rebreathers, my warning is built right into the name. regards, russell
(Offline)

18th October 2007, 06:23	#4 (permalink)
bourskov New Member Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 92	Re: Another new guy! Welcome aboard.... Cheers Bo Urskov
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18th October 2007, 08:03	#5 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,662	Re: Another new guy! Welcome to the black sheep squadron as a friend used to say! __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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18th October 2007, 12:22	#6 (permalink)
silentscuba rEvo CCR Driver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mill Creek, WA USA Posts: 568	Re: Another new guy! Welcome Russ!!! It's about time you showed yourself. I want everyone to know that Russ has contributed greatly to our local rebreather community by being involved, coming up with ingenius ideas and helping others with designing and making little bits and pieces for projects. Russ is also the best person around that I know with regards to reading the tides, hooking a wreck and providing the best opportunity for a succesful dive. When you see his homebuilt (Kevorkian) you will be amazed by his talent. He has taken his rebreather and dove the toughest local wreck that we have, the "Governor" and Kevorkian has served him well. I really hope he will post some pictures and shares his design with the board . Welcome aboard Russ __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com
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18th October 2007, 22:27	#7 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 891	Re: Another new guy! Welcome to the forum! We can't wait to see pics of this famous rebreather. Just my opinion, but the name and the reason for it, makes perfect sense to me. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
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19th October 2007, 14:55	#8 (permalink)
Fun Under Pressure Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 594	Re: Another new guy! Welcome and lot of fun here on Rebreather World: Greatings from germany. Cheers Markku
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