Greetings from Norfolk, VA (Virginia)

tele

Greetings from Norfolk, VA. I'm a fairly new diver, was certified 3 years ago. Have about 40 fresh water dives, and one botched shore entry salt water dive (was scheduled for some boat trips at the end of the summer, but broke my leg and am now near recovery). PADI OW, SSI Nitrox certs.

I'm a tech guy. I like to try different equipment. I've got a vintage double hose reg, perhaps vintage demand full face mask, drysuit, yadda yadda. I've got ideas for better dive computers. For instance, instead of a HUD that uses LEDs extended into view by copper wire, why not use high output SMD LEDs and plastic light pipes, so there need not be external copper connections on the controller.

I've been lurking on here (post on scubaboard non-Rebreather forums) for a while. I've got a good idea of how RB's work, and can theorize down to the circuit board component level as to how the microcontrollers sample the data from the o2 cells and what not.

So I was looking at courses to work towards my AOW for this summer, and noticed one of the local (Hampton, VA) dive shops had a rebreather intro course which had a pool run. It was listed at $150. I emailed them to verify, and find out if it was the Drager Ray or Dolphin... and sho' nuff, they don't do it any more. Kind of a bummer as it had my interest.

After seeing that, I did find another local shop that does the PADI Drager Rebreather course, at $499. AOW is pre-req, so I will have to complete that first I assume. So we will see if I get there this summer. Unfortunately the other courses to get there add up in terms of money and I'm not sure how valuable they are. PADI Equipment course looked interesting on the surface, but then after farther inspection it appears I might already have a good idea of the course material (I mean, I don't think it gets into the details of say IP of regulators and adjustment tools or anything). I'm thinking I might go for the RB cert though.

I'm sure most know the drill. I realize the SCR Dragers aren't as hot as say, the Dive-Rite Optima or AP Inspiration ... but I see it as a starting point and introduction to the rebreather aspect of diving.

My interest is mainly from the tech point of view and new experience / equipment point of view. I'm not out to set records or such.

deepnark

hi
Greetings from Norfolk uk
safe diving in 2008

Ray

__________________
KISS CCR INSTRUCTOR

Today is a gd day to dive

http://www.kissccr.org.uk

Freak214

Before you commit to a Drager I would spend some time figuring out what you are looking to accomplish with a rebreather.

The dolphin is a solid unit, but the out of box configuration is geared towards recreational diving. It can be modified to CCR but if your goal is tech then you would be better off starting with a CCR unit.

There is a handful of Rebreather divers in VA Beach, and at least 9 in Richmond. If you wanted to head a couple of hours inland to Richmond I could get a couple of different units together to show you some of the key differences.

PM if interested

Thanks
JohnL

w ripley

You might want to come to the VBTech "Technical Diving Demo Day" on January 26th at Lynnhaven Dive Center in Virginia Beach. We're just about to start advertising the event, so the word is really just starting to get out with this reply. Its a 9-5 event, with programs on most aspects of technical diving.

There are going to be a number of Rebreather divers there, with the new HH and the Optima on display. There might even be a Meg there, or at least for you to put your hands on. In addition to a RB overview class by a moderator on this list, there will be two in-the-pool demos with the Optima, so you can get wet and try the unit out. Bring your bathing suit.

We haven't posted our agenda yet, but it will be on the VBTech website soon. You might also subscribe to the VBTech list, so that you can be plugged into some of the local techinical diving going on in your own back yard.

Bill

tele

Sounds good! I am recovering from a broken leg (segway accident ). I think I will be walking very soon. The 26th is after my next doctors visit so I will ping about what kind of weight I can deal with.

I will join the mailing list as well.

At this point I consider myself recreational, but am always open to learn new things. I've got some idea of the aspects of rec-tec and what not.

Thanks for the heads up.

zoo_diver

Howdy --

I'm new to Norfolk area and will for sure be there at the LHDC for the "Tech" week. If you want to check out a MEG I would be more than happy to put my unit on display. I will be looking forward to hearing more information about the even and am anxious to link up with some CCR folks here in Hampton Roads.

w ripley

Tele

Glad you're in our area and thinking about the VBTech Day. The purpose of getting together is to provide the chance to meet people, like yourself, who are thinking about going the technical diving route. Its a relatively small community, so getting people together who think in similar ways about diving safely and diving smart is what it's all about. It's probably why most people are on this Rebreather World list.

Bill