What is your greatest Rebreather fear?

Marvintpa · 24th May 2005, 15:59

As someone seriously investigating venturing into the rebreather realm, I have come to realize that mindset is just as, if not more important than the technology. This leads me to the question: what is your greatest fear in rebreather diving that is not a factor in open circuit?

Padowan · 24th May 2005, 16:06

An unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth

.

Even if you do everything right, this can still happen, you might get channeling, or have duff lime, and your only option is to get onto fresh gas ASAP to aleviate the symptoms then a full OC bailout. If you're diving deep, the logistics of having this amount of backup gas becomes a big discussion point - there's another thread on here talking about just that....

Nad · 24th May 2005, 16:19

First of all: pay the rebreather!

Then as Padowan said:an unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth, but also O2 hit (Hypo or Hyper) are not that friendly, though for them you should have a control!

Nad

onetime · 24th May 2005, 17:05

A "heart attack".

***Beanie*** · 24th May 2005, 18:34

dying

***caveseeker7*** · 24th May 2005, 18:45

Surviving - in bad shape. Once I'm dead I doubt I care ...

Until I get my own I share Nad's fear, though.

lizardland · 24th May 2005, 18:52

As mentioned above the one thing that is really out of your control is a CO2 hit. I came very close to a cocktail the other week which was a wake up call.

What really worries me is screwing up. I think I am probably the biggest danger to my own safety, and I don't mean that flippantly. If you look at most risky activities, an awful lot of incidents, maybe most, happen because of something the participant does. I had a very near miss on sunday through complacency that made me stop and think. I've been gas diving for ten years (though playing on rebreathers for only two) and it shocked me how easily and simply I almost made it to the dive accident reports.

At the moment I think technology is fairly reliable. The big factor I've considered in moving to rebreathers is whether or not you can rely on yourself to do things right each time. There is not much margin for error or bodging things. I think I am still at the uptight, anal stage of rebreather diving, I haven't been doing it long enough to get complacent. That I suppose is my greatest fear because I am sure it will come as it is human nature and a combo of luck and skill as to whether or not you survive to learn your lesson.

Cheers,

Stuart

DaveC · 24th May 2005, 18:58

After I get my unit and put a few hours under my belt, getting over confident and moving beyond my training. Becoming or slipping in a complacency which could lead to some of the fears mentioned in prior posts. After all, were only human and subject to error.

Dave

***schford*** · 24th May 2005, 19:04

I echo the sentiments above, it is probably getting too cocky, missing something, rushing to get ready etc.

I stripped my unit down this week ready to take to Cyprus and green gunk came out of the exhale counter lung! All because I had not stripped it down and washed it out over the last 6 days but had used it 3 times, as I was always rushing back from a dive, to a dive or sorting work out.....Makes me realise that I need to take a bit more care!

pchanning · 24th May 2005, 19:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by Padowan)

An unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth

.

Even if you do everything right, this can still happen, you might get channeling, or have duff lime, and your only option is to get onto fresh gas ASAP to aleviate the symptoms then a full OC bailout. If you're diving deep, the logistics of having this amount of backup gas becomes a big discussion point - there's another thread on here talking about just that....

Wow, the chronology of the icons is perfect, that must have taken you ages

Although, maybe I'd put the 'crying' one after the 'eek' one.

Seriously though, I do agree. I think the biggest

factor is that it is possible to do everything right and still get royaly stiffed. With regards to the above I was thinking that the first dive on a new scrubber could be used to 'verify' that everything is performing OK before the second, being the dive to the bottom of the sea where it really matters.

Just an idea, difficult to implement in reality, probably a bit anal but definately worth considering before a solo dive..!! else...

forever........................................... ..

24th May 2005, 15:59	#1 (permalink)
Marvintpa Bad knees, matching brain Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 224	What is your greatest Rebreather fear? As someone seriously investigating venturing into the rebreather realm, I have come to realize that mindset is just as, if not more important than the technology. This leads me to the question: what is your greatest fear in rebreather diving that is not a factor in open circuit?
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24th May 2005, 16:06	#2 (permalink)
Padowan Proper Boffin Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kent, UK. Posts: 501	An unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth . Even if you do everything right, this can still happen, you might get channeling, or have duff lime, and your only option is to get onto fresh gas ASAP to aleviate the symptoms then a full OC bailout. If you're diving deep, the logistics of having this amount of backup gas becomes a big discussion point - there's another thread on here talking about just that.... __________________ Padowan The future's bright, the future's Yellow .....for now padowan.net - Latest Video: Scapa Flow Rebreather Diving
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24th May 2005, 16:19	#3 (permalink)
Nad Rebel to the Bone Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 925	First of all: pay the rebreather! Then as Padowan said:an unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth, but also O2 hit (Hypo or Hyper) are not that friendly, though for them you should have a control! Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
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24th May 2005, 17:05	#4 (permalink)
onetime Classic KISSer #138 Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: US, NJ Posts: 650	A "heart attack".
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24th May 2005, 18:34	#5 (permalink)
*Beanie* Cheif tea maker Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,133	dying __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk www.divelife.co.uk
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24th May 2005, 18:45	#6 (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: 5,281	Surviving - in bad shape. Once I'm dead I doubt I care ... Until I get my own I share Nad's fear, though. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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24th May 2005, 18:52	#7 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Ray Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,138	As mentioned above the one thing that is really out of your control is a CO2 hit. I came very close to a cocktail the other week which was a wake up call. What really worries me is screwing up. I think I am probably the biggest danger to my own safety, and I don't mean that flippantly. If you look at most risky activities, an awful lot of incidents, maybe most, happen because of something the participant does. I had a very near miss on sunday through complacency that made me stop and think. I've been gas diving for ten years (though playing on rebreathers for only two) and it shocked me how easily and simply I almost made it to the dive accident reports. At the moment I think technology is fairly reliable. The big factor I've considered in moving to rebreathers is whether or not you can rely on yourself to do things right each time. There is not much margin for error or bodging things. I think I am still at the uptight, anal stage of rebreather diving, I haven't been doing it long enough to get complacent. That I suppose is my greatest fear because I am sure it will come as it is human nature and a combo of luck and skill as to whether or not you survive to learn your lesson. Cheers, Stuart
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24th May 2005, 18:58	#8 (permalink)
DaveC New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario. Canada Posts: 192	After I get my unit and put a few hours under my belt, getting over confident and moving beyond my training. Becoming or slipping in a complacency which could lead to some of the fears mentioned in prior posts. After all, were only human and subject to error. Dave
(Offline)

24th May 2005, 19:04	#9 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,660	I echo the sentiments above, it is probably getting too cocky, missing something, rushing to get ready etc. I stripped my unit down this week ready to take to Cyprus and green gunk came out of the exhale counter lung! All because I had not stripped it down and washed it out over the last 6 days but had used it 3 times, as I was always rushing back from a dive, to a dive or sorting work out.....Makes me realise that I need to take a bit more care!
(Offline)

24th May 2005, 19:07	#10 (permalink)
pchanning PFO free :) Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: fixed! Posts: 454	Quote: (Originally Posted by Padowan) An unexpected, debilitating CO2 hit at depth . Even if you do everything right, this can still happen, you might get channeling, or have duff lime, and your only option is to get onto fresh gas ASAP to aleviate the symptoms then a full OC bailout. If you're diving deep, the logistics of having this amount of backup gas becomes a big discussion point - there's another thread on here talking about just that.... Wow, the chronology of the icons is perfect, that must have taken you ages Although, maybe I'd put the 'crying' one after the 'eek' one. Seriously though, I do agree. I think the biggest factor is that it is possible to do everything right and still get royaly stiffed. With regards to the above I was thinking that the first dive on a new scrubber could be used to 'verify' that everything is performing OK before the second, being the dive to the bottom of the sea where it really matters. Just an idea, difficult to implement in reality, probably a bit anal but definately worth considering before a solo dive..!! else... forever........................................... ..
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