Entering the Semi Dark Side

magentaseas · 2nd March 2006, 14:07

Hi
Just had to say I finally got hold of a second hand Drager Dolphin (a very good find through someone I know) and Im dead excited about going diving with it.

Ive been diving OC for 15 years (BSAC) and thought using a rebreather would take some getting used to, especially concerning buoyancy.

I did the PADI Drager course and last weekend did the OW dives. Ive never noticed how noisy OC is untill I started doing the bailout exercises, its almost deafening!!
Had to pile on the weight a bit to get down (been told this is normal at the start, although the extra thermals probably didnt help) but buoyancy wasnt bad.
Interestingly the Instructor said I was the first female he'd taught on the unit and had had the best buoyancy compared to the guys who were up and down like yo yo's! Is it a gender thing, experience? Maybe us girlies are more cautious and take it nice and slow?!

The one thing Ive really found different and is taking some getting used to is the breathing, Im too used to sucking! Now its constant flow I have to keep reminding myself to breathe normally as on the surface, it was weird.

So Im now raring to go.
Anyone else thinking of moving to the Dark Side go for it, its great fun and sooo quiet!

cheers

Sharon

Odin · 2nd March 2006, 14:10

Hi Sharon,
glad you are enjoying it!
Dolly the Dolphin is a nice little unit!
Paul

CCRDVR · 2nd March 2006, 16:10

Welcome to the "Dark Side" Sharon! I too gained my intro into rebreather diving via a second hand Dolphin. It's sooo much better than open circuit. I accumulated 105 dives on mine prior to going the CCR route. One modification I did to mine was to use the Extendair scrubber cartridges. It's a bit more expensive than granular sorb, but much more convienent. As well as much easier to travel with.
Have fun with your new gear.
Jim

***schford*** · 2nd March 2006, 16:12

Hey Awsome Sharon :-)

Sarah and I will h ave to come diving with you again soon :-) - we can stay down for hours and tease every one else!

Stuart

***caveseeker7*** · 2nd March 2006, 16:37

Congratulations Sharon.

Good to hear the Dolphin suits you.
Dive safe.

magentaseas · 3rd March 2006, 08:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

Hey Awsome Sharon :-)

Sarah and I will h ave to come diving with you again soon :-) - we can stay down for hours and tease every one else!

Stuart

Hi Stuart
I'd be up for that, it would be good to see you two again.
My boyfriend uses a YBOD and is thinking of changing, he'd very interested in checking out your Meg.

I have to say this is a great website, very interesting and everyone is very helpful.

see you soon

sharon

***EBT*** · 3rd March 2006, 08:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas)

Im too used to sucking!

I hope you lot are appreciating the ammount of willpower Im employing right now!!

clivethediver2 · 3rd March 2006, 08:58

Hi Sharon.

Glad to see that you finally got your hands on one.We'll know where to come now if we need an SCR for regional rebreather try-dives!!!
I got my Meg in December and I'm loving it!!!
See you around.

Cheers Clive

***schford*** · 3rd March 2006, 09:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas)

Hi Stuart
I'd be up for that, it would be good to see you two again.
My boyfriend uses a YBOD and is thinking of changing, he'd very interested in checking out your Meg.

I have to say this is a great website, very interesting and everyone is very helpful.

see you soon

sharon

Sounds great! Will have a chat to Sarah on weekend and tell her to drop you a line to get some thing sorted :-)

magentaseas · 6th March 2006, 11:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT)

I hope you lot are appreciating the ammount of willpower Im employing right now!!

Im extremely appreciative!!!

S

2nd March 2006, 14:07	#1 (permalink)
magentaseas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 54	Entering the Semi Dark Side Hi Just had to say I finally got hold of a second hand Drager Dolphin (a very good find through someone I know) and Im dead excited about going diving with it. Ive been diving OC for 15 years (BSAC) and thought using a rebreather would take some getting used to, especially concerning buoyancy. I did the PADI Drager course and last weekend did the OW dives. Ive never noticed how noisy OC is untill I started doing the bailout exercises, its almost deafening!! Had to pile on the weight a bit to get down (been told this is normal at the start, although the extra thermals probably didnt help) but buoyancy wasnt bad. Interestingly the Instructor said I was the first female he'd taught on the unit and had had the best buoyancy compared to the guys who were up and down like yo yo's! Is it a gender thing, experience? Maybe us girlies are more cautious and take it nice and slow?! The one thing Ive really found different and is taking some getting used to is the breathing, Im too used to sucking! Now its constant flow I have to keep reminding myself to breathe normally as on the surface, it was weird. So Im now raring to go. Anyone else thinking of moving to the Dark Side go for it, its great fun and sooo quiet! cheers Sharon
(Offline)

2nd March 2006, 14:10	#2 (permalink)
Odin Egbert - the Deco Dancer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: U.K Posts: 141	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Hi Sharon, glad you are enjoying it! Dolly the Dolphin is a nice little unit! Paul
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2nd March 2006, 16:10	#3 (permalink)
CCRDVR New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 81	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Welcome to the "Dark Side" Sharon! I too gained my intro into rebreather diving via a second hand Dolphin. It's sooo much better than open circuit. I accumulated 105 dives on mine prior to going the CCR route. One modification I did to mine was to use the Extendair scrubber cartridges. It's a bit more expensive than granular sorb, but much more convienent. As well as much easier to travel with. Have fun with your new gear. Jim
(Offline)

2nd March 2006, 16:12	#4 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,661	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Hey Awsome Sharon :-) Sarah and I will h ave to come diving with you again soon :-) - we can stay down for hours and tease every one else! Stuart __________________ 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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2nd March 2006, 16:37	#5 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,286	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Congratulations Sharon. Good to hear the Dolphin suits you. Dive safe. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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3rd March 2006, 08:39	#6 (permalink)
magentaseas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 54	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) Hey Awsome Sharon :-) Sarah and I will h ave to come diving with you again soon :-) - we can stay down for hours and tease every one else! Stuart Hi Stuart I'd be up for that, it would be good to see you two again. My boyfriend uses a YBOD and is thinking of changing, he'd very interested in checking out your Meg. I have to say this is a great website, very interesting and everyone is very helpful. see you soon sharon
(Offline)

3rd March 2006, 08:50	#7 (permalink)
*EBT* Apprentice Luddite Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK, Brighton Posts: 1,834	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas) Im too used to sucking! I hope you lot are appreciating the ammount of willpower Im employing right now!! __________________ Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Rebreather World Terms of service Real diving t-shirts for real divers
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3rd March 2006, 08:58	#8 (permalink)
clivethediver2 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: BEDFORD ENGLAND Posts: 36	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Hi Sharon. Glad to see that you finally got your hands on one.We'll know where to come now if we need an SCR for regional rebreather try-dives!!! I got my Meg in December and I'm loving it!!! See you around. Cheers Clive
(Offline)

3rd March 2006, 09:20	#9 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,661	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas) Hi Stuart I'd be up for that, it would be good to see you two again. My boyfriend uses a YBOD and is thinking of changing, he'd very interested in checking out your Meg. I have to say this is a great website, very interesting and everyone is very helpful. see you soon sharon Sounds great! Will have a chat to Sarah on weekend and tell her to drop you a line to get some thing sorted :-) __________________ 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
(Offline)

6th March 2006, 11:20	#10 (permalink)
magentaseas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 54	Re: Entering the Semi Dark Side Quote: (Originally Posted by EBT) I hope you lot are appreciating the ammount of willpower Im employing right now!! Im extremely appreciative!!! S
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