Hi from SK#129

Dave IR

Hi,
I thought it was about time I introduced myself...

Been diving since '88 and since '99 regularly diving mix (OC) in the English Channel ( typically 50-70m dives )
We are really spoilt here for diving and enjoy 'classic' wreck diving on well known wrecks plus the excitement of diving on complete unknown/undived wrecks.

Last year, myself & my regular dive buddy decided to bite the bullet and go CCR. For us, there was really only one choice - a KISS. Being a Systems & Software Engineer who has worked on complex computer systems & fly-by-wire computers, the last thing I wanted was a computerised CCR. All software has bugs ( LINK ) and it really isn't very difficult to maintain a PPO2 manually.

We purchased our units at the UK Birmingham Dive show last October and completed our Mod1 course with Mickael @ TekStreme, Sharm.

Last weekend I completed my sixty-second CCR dive. Touch wood, I haven't missed a single dive due to unit problems ( unlike my Boris friends ) and have thoroughly enjoyed all my dives this year. The logistics of CCR diving has made life a lot more simple: I am not running around with 4 twinsets in the boot of my car and my credit card isn't maxed out with $$$ for helium & nitrox :-)

I was using a Halcyon CCR35 wing last weekend. Up till then, had been using a 55# wing, which was way too big for the little SK. My SK has been modified, in the form of a S/S stand and I have put 8# of roofing lead between the wing and C/L case. I noticed an improvement in in-water trim and balance and also on the surface, the wing kept me in a more upright position. The only criticism I have of the wing, is the base is probably a little too wide for the SK ( by about 2" ) and to get to the valves I had to nudge the wing out of the way to get to the valve handle. It is a minor niggle and didn't slow down a gas-shutdown. The top of the wing is perfect for the SK and the hoses route very well around it - even when fully inflated.

Attached are some pics.



Already looking forward to 2007 and have already got trips booked to Malin Head ( Loyal Watcher ) and Red Sea ( Whirlwind ) all with my trusty SK#129

Dave

louisrankin

Welcome,

It is nice to see that some one else is diving there sports kiss deeper than the manufactures recommended limit! I have now sold my sports kiss but I really miss the ease of prepping (10mins) the unit for a dive . Dave how do you find the cam bands compaired to the kiss tank connectors?

Louis

Ben Field

Nice stand design- thanks for sharing that....

I must admit I have only taken my SK "close" to the manufacturers rating but not beyond.

I can see what you mean about the wing- thats pretty wide, I'm using the supplied Oxycheq wing which is good if alittle short of lift.

BEN

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decoweenie

... and the SK is one of the wider units out there as well. I would hate to see that wing on more-narrow units.

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EBT

Welcome to the board, theres a good mix of divers and plenty of stuff buried in the mists of time. its always worth doing a search before asking something

60 seconds? that must be extreme depth

Don't knock the boris, its the first time someone has integrated pigeon DNA to a CCR controller for its homing ability to poole. Im going to shutup now, if the boris guys hear me mentioning their "timeshare" rebreathers, they threaten to pour a cupfull of water into my loop and mutter something about lacking water traps


I must've missed this, what sort of depths are you reliably getting Dave?



/Zak

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Dave IR

This year I have mainly been doing Club-type depths ( 25-45m ) From about my 25th dive I started using a weak mix as one of the reasons for going CCR was the ability to dive mix and have a very low END on all dives.

I have done a couple of dives on the Smyrna (55m) this year and a couple of dives to 60m. These dives were in near-perfect conditions and went extremely well. ( using 10/52 )

I have my Mod3 booked for later in the year ( using a CK ). I could go on just figuring out for myself, but I think a week spent with a good instructor, will give me a firm footing for deeper CCR diving. However I am only looking to dive Channel wrecks which are under 75m.

Around the IOW, near where I live, there are wrecks in 40m which are yet to be identified and only last weekend a large helm was discovered on a wreck in 35m so have plenty of good wrecks to dive in shallow water and will be enjoying some nice long bottom times, bubble free ( hopefully ) next year.

regards,
Dave

Ben Field

Hmm sounds like a good destination for a UK KISS weekend.... Dave- when can we come play on your local wrecks?

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Dave IR

I intend to carry on diving up to xmas. October can be a bit wobbly, weather wise, but Nov & Dec can be still & the water is still reasonably warm.

I will post a 'boat spaces' alert when we are next going out ( from Lymington )