Hello from New Zealand!

DarrenCole

Thought it was about time to introduce myself after a couple of months of forum lurking.

I am an Aircraft technician in her majesty's royal new zealand airforce, who after developing a strong love affair with being under water, has become entertained by the idea of silent, bubble-less breathing.
I have been slowly working my way up the food(skill) chain as far as formal training goes having completed a TDI nitrox course, which has further developed my fascination with mixed gas diving, (having a commercial diving mate does help also though)

Both me and a work/good mate have recently been tossing around ideas for twin identical low cost rebreathers, copying a proven design for the most part, or other homebuilt projects for the rest. Using parts easily and for affordably available from reputable manufacturers and locally manufacturing what we deem too expensive or not entirely suitable for our particular application ourselves. Ultimately want a working rebreather suitable for dives longer then 1 hour (2-3 would be the go) at depths up to ~40m, With electronic pp02 monitoring but with manual blending.
I beleive this would be perfectly acheivable, having sound knowledge in manufacture in aluminium alloys and stainless steel and a wealth of knowledge, expertise and last but not least resources in exotic materials such as titanium and inconel, Stainless and Ally welding to aircraft standards, and composite (frp) manufature and repair. Even have good friends to call on with experience in textiles and finishing, others in Electronics who solder to NASA specifications.

Ultimatly what I do want to dive everyday is a proven reputable rebreather though with proper training and support (the idea behind a project is to keep me busy until the next thing i decide i have to own so might as well build), and have been recently put on to the rEVO as one of the better bang-for-buck options available as far at eCCR's go which is where i would like to head
Another option which i have been looking at is importing a pre-loved rebreather from the USA, which isn't a silly idea given our dollars current strength which makes this option affordable, i would however like it to have local support.

Fun Under Pressure

Welcome and a lot of fun here on Rebreather World. Greetings from Germany.

Cheers Markku

kiwidiver

Now that we dont have any decent planes or jets to work on in the nzaf you should have plenty of time on your hands to work on a Rebreather.

kiwi_diver

Hey Daz, wondered when you'd finally poke your head up above the radar!

You guys coming to club night Monday? I'll show you my new Shearwater Pursuit. If we give it to the avionics guys, they'll have it reverse engineered in less time than it takes Bruce Partridge to yell "COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT!!!!"

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Ray.
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Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets!
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DarrenCole

Next monday at global right? be there with bells on, maybe without the bells though, on day's next week, reubens on nights so he won't be able to make it, means i will have to sober steven things.
Yeah if your keen, won't be able to clone it until one of the boys free's up there schedules (gives up drag racing, like it will happen) or until tron gets back from seniors in march, which would be the better bet as the guys a computer ... one which runs on alcohol, and theres a booze shop down the road.

Booked myself in for a sweet live aboard at global, decided after almost a year of waiting for reubens brother to do our aow's for cheap i would go out and pay to get it done, get some sweet pk dives in the process.

Hey cheers mate, I already have had a bit of fun checking out what the other guys here are diving.

That is exactly right don't go looking for a bite, you won't get one, im quite happy with the run down state of affairs bought on by the nation deciding they wanted to be governed by my commy aunty. Means i don't have to work too hard at least



Last but not least cheers to 'Bazza' from OZ, definitely will take you up on your offer of checking out those 'breather's if i find myself in sydney, which is a strong possibility with where im currently posted, will get in touch if i find my way over there.
cheers all

Packhorse

Greetings. Looks like with have some quite similar goals.
Good luck with your project.

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There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

mik

Hi!

Let's hope your LOGGO is not on Rebreather World

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It just fell apart in my hands, Chief!

PeteS

It's true, Safeair are overhauling the Hercs, and the fighter wing is painted white and parked outside on the grass at Woodbourne..... Just what can the RNZAF do these days apart from make homebuild Rebreather's?

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Pete S.

http://www.steggle.co.nz

Every silver lining has a cloud

DarrenCole

I have searched and searched, but honestly i don't know what you are talking about with the term 'loggo'
EDIT: you mean logistics officer? officers are the worst offenders when it comes to asking for 'foriegners', only in the fact they don't pay up beers or chocy bikkys. No techy in their right mind will chop up fresh sheets of material for non service work, if it was however sizable offcut that would otherwise be of little further use then that may be fair game The boys are more then happy to work up non service materials bought in from outside the a/f in their down time (as it stands we do work with limited materials types in the industry, and they do have significant diffences from those used in commercial and marine sectors, you may be well aware that the majority of aluminium alloy used to make aircraft cannot be welded using conventional means)

In case you were concerned about the safety of this project, rest assured i am well aware of the dangers involved when working with life support equipment and will not even begin to build anything until i have come up with a plan i am thoroughly content with, and with my safety conscience track record this could take years, im not happy clearing aircraft to fly regardless what people who 'know more' than me think so why would i risk MY OWN LIFE doing what im not entirely happy with from an engineering perspective, if it means coming up with a solution that exceeds that currently available albiet the cost, so be it, if it means waiting untill technology has addressed current rebreathers short comings then so be it.
Home building is on the back burner at the moment, i have done a TDI nitrox course but im not happy with the information gained (far too recreational for my liking, i want to go deeper, im not after a rush, but possibly a sense of achievement if you will, going more places .. for longer!) im also not happy with taking that course, an open water course then adding what i have read from some people halfway around the world and ripping into things half cocked, I will be taking the next step with adv. nitrox and deco proc. and then after that will do a semi closed rebreather course, then and only then do i plan on picking back up the ball and running with it if i feel confident to, which at the moment to be honest i don't, not to design a fully functioning and (100%, if its even possible!) safe rebreather and then use it, no, but im am determined to give this rebreather thing a decent shot, if i decide i dont like that idea then i'll stick to OC, and its not like im staying out of the water. It does seem like a (and i am told is the) logical next step in extending bottom times so its almost rude not to look into it.

The fighter wing is defunct, without sale, and from where im sitting its not like they are ever going to be sold, there is however a strong movement not only within the RNZAF but the greater new zealand aviation industry to move them into the ATS hanger and have them utilised for training the latest aircraft and avionic personnal. Safe air has indeed won the sub contract for the herc's from spar, but time will tell if the final three frames do end up receiving their upgrade through safe air. The upgrade is a massive undertaking, and thats all im willing to say over a public forum although the information is well within the public domain.