New KISS diver in San Diego

breals · 20th June 2008, 03:41

To whom it make concern, please consider me a "stroke" for this day forward.

About 7 years ago, I got into Tech Diving/Cave diving. I remember it vividly because my psycho-ex-wife tried to throw all my dive gear away the day before I started taking my nitrox course. I quickly got hooked up with DIR/GUE and progressed thru Cave 2, Tech 2 and other courses.

Let me say that I'm interested in all diving equipment/techniques, be it DIR, monkey diving, cave diving ,wreck diving or rebreather diving and I frankly don't believe the GUE mindset of rebreathers killing you if you so much as touch one. Also, I'm a geek, no'f said

I was always interesting in rebreathers but thought they were voodoo. Something that didn't have a mission in my diving. However, I kept my eye on them and recently thought that the risks were far outweighed by the benefits of them.

Basically, my dives were deep and for "big dives" I was humping a heavy set of doubles and a bunch of stages for one dive. Also, I starting to do exploration dives where you really don't know where you might end of up and need some flexibility. I felt a CCR was a great tool for these requirements, with the added feature that I would be silent to marine life and have a huge gas supply at almost any depth.

I then went thought the selection process which I can only describe as trying to find out which brand of car you like best. Coming from a DIR/HOG mindset, I didn't want anything on my chest to clutter it up, which only left back mount counter lungs.

Next, I took part in a rebreather experience course and tried both a manual and electronic rebreather. I really liked the manual ccr and didn't really care for the electronic version, as I felt like I was merely a passenger in a car and I really prefer to drive. During this time I did a bunch of reading, asked a lot of questions and settled on a KISS or a rEvo.

In the end, it came down to cost. I was offered a very good deal on a KISS and that, as they say, was it.

I liked the rebreather experience course that Robin Jacoway of Deepoutdoors, taught and I wanted to train in the area that I would be doing my diving. Deepoutdoors is in Poway, CA which is only 20 mins from my house and we have a plethora of dive spots that are great for training.

Day 1:
The class was Robin's first KISS class and was team taught with Dan Crowell. There were 3 KISS divers and 1 rEvo student. We went thru the academics, and built our units, it was a long day. But I was like a kid in a candy store, I get to really do something with my rebreather.

Day 2:
Pool rebreather diving. Buoyancy wasn't bad, DIR slams buoyancy into you, so adjusting to the lack of lung volume affecting my trim wasn't a big deal, but it did take some time to dial it in. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. Oh and go through more class room material. Since it was Sunday, Nate and I volunteered to get cylinders filled for the class at the dive shop Nate works at. We loaded up my truck with a gazillion rebreather and bailout bottles and then spent the next 2 hours waiting for the shop manager to get back and open up the shop.

Day 3:
Open water beach diving @ Marine Room. We kicked out to horrible vis and a leaky manifold on my KISS unit, so my dive was only about 30 mins before I had to head in. We had planned on doing two beach dives but Robin scrubbed the second due to the poor conditions. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. This was also the start my nightly rebuilt project as each night something new would fail the negative test.

Day 4: Open water boat dives. Motored out to the artificial reef, Yukon, off the coast of San Diego. We were practicing our skills a little deeper and did three dives on the Yukon with no major issues. I did have my DSV o-ring go out on the last dive but this happened as we were practicing our bailout ascent so it didn't ruin the dive but did make it more realistic. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. Oh and repair my DSV/BOV.

Day 5: Back on the Yukon for out two last dives. These dives were going to be deeper and longer while we practiced our skills and adjusted to the unit. This is the first dive where I really started to pay attention to anything besides my PPO2 and I got real close to all the fish and listened to the the silence. Theses were fun dives and allowed time to fine tune our oxygen addition, minimum loop volume and learning the muscle memory of where everything is on the rig.

Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to take the written tests and then Robin informed us that we passed. Woo hoo! We are now manual rebreather operators or pilots.

**Chett.L** · 20th June 2008, 04:57

Congregations, nice article.

Amphibiman · 20th June 2008, 19:47

Bill,

I really enjoyed having you in class and look forward to a lot more diving with you.

Robin

Buck-O-Five · 21st June 2008, 06:37

Congrats again Bill. It will be nice diving with you next time sans-bubbles. And your write up was superb, maybe you can write mine for me.

Rubis · 21st June 2008, 22:02

Hi welcome to the bubbleless side fellow KISSer

!

Another ex DIR-GUE diver who now cannot care less if they call me a stroke ! Ha !

I experienced the same with buoyancy the transition was much easier than I expected

caverkevin · 21st June 2008, 22:22

Welcome to the other dark side from another KISSer/STROKE!!! Been doing a bunch of cave diving with the KISS. It is very sweet being inside a cave on a closed loop.

Cheers!!

Kevin

onfloat · 22nd June 2008, 06:12

Hey Bill,
Congrats on the KISS. Can I ask, what made you switch, and did anyone else from the SDUE crowd make the jump with you?

Tom

breals · 22nd June 2008, 14:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by onfloat)

Hey Bill,
Congrats on the KISS. Can I ask, what made you switch, and did anyone else from the SDUE crowd make the jump with you?

Tom

Mainly it was bottom time, the wrecks we are exploring are getting deeper. And it also helps wirh my photography, i can get closer to sharks, fish, etc. I'm the first of the DIR crowd to switch here but we have about a dozen active rebreather divers here now.

Buck-O-Five · 23rd June 2008, 05:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by breals)

I'm the first of the DIR crowd to switch here but we have about a dozen active rebreather divers here now.

Amen. Now can we put some mix in that thing?

breals · 23rd June 2008, 06:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Buck-O-Five)

Amen. Now can we put some mix in that thing?

yeah, just waiting till Tuesday so I can understand which dil to put into it.

20th June 2008, 03:41	#1 (permalink)
breals rEvolt Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 150	New KISS diver in San Diego To whom it make concern, please consider me a "stroke" for this day forward. About 7 years ago, I got into Tech Diving/Cave diving. I remember it vividly because my psycho-ex-wife tried to throw all my dive gear away the day before I started taking my nitrox course. I quickly got hooked up with DIR/GUE and progressed thru Cave 2, Tech 2 and other courses. Let me say that I'm interested in all diving equipment/techniques, be it DIR, monkey diving, cave diving ,wreck diving or rebreather diving and I frankly don't believe the GUE mindset of rebreathers killing you if you so much as touch one. Also, I'm a geek, no'f said I was always interesting in rebreathers but thought they were voodoo. Something that didn't have a mission in my diving. However, I kept my eye on them and recently thought that the risks were far outweighed by the benefits of them. Basically, my dives were deep and for "big dives" I was humping a heavy set of doubles and a bunch of stages for one dive. Also, I starting to do exploration dives where you really don't know where you might end of up and need some flexibility. I felt a CCR was a great tool for these requirements, with the added feature that I would be silent to marine life and have a huge gas supply at almost any depth. I then went thought the selection process which I can only describe as trying to find out which brand of car you like best. Coming from a DIR/HOG mindset, I didn't want anything on my chest to clutter it up, which only left back mount counter lungs. Next, I took part in a rebreather experience course and tried both a manual and electronic rebreather. I really liked the manual ccr and didn't really care for the electronic version, as I felt like I was merely a passenger in a car and I really prefer to drive. During this time I did a bunch of reading, asked a lot of questions and settled on a KISS or a rEvo. In the end, it came down to cost. I was offered a very good deal on a KISS and that, as they say, was it. I liked the rebreather experience course that Robin Jacoway of Deepoutdoors, taught and I wanted to train in the area that I would be doing my diving. Deepoutdoors is in Poway, CA which is only 20 mins from my house and we have a plethora of dive spots that are great for training. Day 1: The class was Robin's first KISS class and was team taught with Dan Crowell. There were 3 KISS divers and 1 rEvo student. We went thru the academics, and built our units, it was a long day. But I was like a kid in a candy store, I get to really do something with my rebreather. Day 2: Pool rebreather diving. Buoyancy wasn't bad, DIR slams buoyancy into you, so adjusting to the lack of lung volume affecting my trim wasn't a big deal, but it did take some time to dial it in. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. Oh and go through more class room material. Since it was Sunday, Nate and I volunteered to get cylinders filled for the class at the dive shop Nate works at. We loaded up my truck with a gazillion rebreather and bailout bottles and then spent the next 2 hours waiting for the shop manager to get back and open up the shop. Day 3: Open water beach diving @ Marine Room. We kicked out to horrible vis and a leaky manifold on my KISS unit, so my dive was only about 30 mins before I had to head in. We had planned on doing two beach dives but Robin scrubbed the second due to the poor conditions. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. This was also the start my nightly rebuilt project as each night something new would fail the negative test. Day 4: Open water boat dives. Motored out to the artificial reef, Yukon, off the coast of San Diego. We were practicing our skills a little deeper and did three dives on the Yukon with no major issues. I did have my DSV o-ring go out on the last dive but this happened as we were practicing our bailout ascent so it didn't ruin the dive but did make it more realistic. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to strip, clean and prep our units for the next day. Oh and repair my DSV/BOV. Day 5: Back on the Yukon for out two last dives. These dives were going to be deeper and longer while we practiced our skills and adjusted to the unit. This is the first dive where I really started to pay attention to anything besides my PPO2 and I got real close to all the fish and listened to the the silence. Theses were fun dives and allowed time to fine tune our oxygen addition, minimum loop volume and learning the muscle memory of where everything is on the rig. Then it was back to Deepoutdoors to take the written tests and then Robin informed us that we passed. Woo hoo! We are now manual rebreather operators or pilots. __________________ - Bill Personal Website: www.reals.net Scuba Blog: www.divedown.com Last edited by breals : 23rd June 2008 at 06:40.
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20th June 2008, 04:57	#2 (permalink)
Chett.L Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 376	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Congregations, nice article. __________________ Chett. L
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20th June 2008, 19:47	#3 (permalink)
Amphibiman New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego California Posts: 38	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Bill, I really enjoyed having you in class and look forward to a lot more diving with you. Robin
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21st June 2008, 06:37	#4 (permalink)
Buck-O-Five San Diego rEvo Mafia Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 349	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Congrats again Bill. It will be nice diving with you next time sans-bubbles. And your write up was superb, maybe you can write mine for me. __________________ "The Brandon" www.sdtechdiving.com
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21st June 2008, 22:02	#5 (permalink)
Rubis RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Broadway, North Carolina Posts: 66	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Hi welcome to the bubbleless side fellow KISSer ! Another ex DIR-GUE diver who now cannot care less if they call me a stroke ! Ha ! I experienced the same with buoyancy the transition was much easier than I expected __________________ CK # 341 Last edited by Rubis : 21st June 2008 at 22:06.
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21st June 2008, 22:22	#6 (permalink)
caverkevin CK #159 Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Broadway NC Posts: 99	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Welcome to the other dark side from another KISSer/STROKE!!! Been doing a bunch of cave diving with the KISS. It is very sweet being inside a cave on a closed loop. Cheers!! Kevin
(Online)

22nd June 2008, 06:12	#7 (permalink)
onfloat New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 5	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Hey Bill, Congrats on the KISS. Can I ask, what made you switch, and did anyone else from the SDUE crowd make the jump with you? Tom
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22nd June 2008, 14:44	#8 (permalink)
breals rEvolt Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 150	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Quote: (Originally Posted by onfloat) Hey Bill, Congrats on the KISS. Can I ask, what made you switch, and did anyone else from the SDUE crowd make the jump with you? Tom Mainly it was bottom time, the wrecks we are exploring are getting deeper. And it also helps wirh my photography, i can get closer to sharks, fish, etc. I'm the first of the DIR crowd to switch here but we have about a dozen active rebreather divers here now. __________________ - Bill Personal Website: www.reals.net Scuba Blog: www.divedown.com Last edited by breals : 22nd June 2008 at 14:48.
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23rd June 2008, 05:42	#9 (permalink)
Buck-O-Five San Diego rEvo Mafia Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 349	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Quote: (Originally Posted by breals) I'm the first of the DIR crowd to switch here but we have about a dozen active rebreather divers here now. Amen. Now can we put some mix in that thing? __________________ "The Brandon" www.sdtechdiving.com
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23rd June 2008, 06:18	#10 (permalink)
breals rEvolt Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 150	Re: New KISS diver in San Diego Quote: (Originally Posted by Buck-O-Five) Amen. Now can we put some mix in that thing? yeah, just waiting till Tuesday so I can understand which dil to put into it. __________________ - Bill Personal Website: www.reals.net Scuba Blog: www.divedown.com
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