Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course

Dawktah · 5th October 2006, 02:45

Hello!

I have a few questions and need some input on getting started. I am currently AOW, EANx certified, age 41, 944 logged minutes.

I would like to minimize my expenses and would like to use as much equipment that I already and will soon to own as possible. I would like to purchase a pony bottle to hang on my descent line at 15ft. while I am still diving OC. I do a very good job sticking to dive plan and have not exceeded no-stop time or ended a dive with less than 400 psi remaining. So could this be a waste of money to buy? I would then like to use this later as my bailout for CCR. Any size recommendations? Steel or Aluminum? I am a Virgin Islands diver so max. depth is 100 feet. Can I use my Oceanic Omega II 2nd stage on the bailout tank?

I have spoken to one member who blends her own gases. What kind of expense would I be looking at to build my own station to blend trimix and heliox? Currently, no helium/Trimix on St. Thomas. No demand with the shallow depths. St. Croix is another story, where she is located. I want to take gas blender course before I take introduction to CCR course to help with my training.

I am going to order the DVD Rebreather FUNdamentals as a start but I was wondering if I could get some help on deciding which rebreather to pursue. I would like the "top 3 units, if such a thing exists" to meet my needs for the following:

1. Photography (edit: current housing rated to 200 ft.)
2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth
3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks.
a. Uses standard scuba tanks
b. Can use standard valves but will accept custom as long as I can buy extra and install in standard tanks.
4. Use with OC buddy, built in bailout can those be shared???
5. Have courses near to St. Thomas or Chicago

Thanks in Advance,

Chris Howard

**wedivebc** · 5th October 2006, 04:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah)

Hello!

I have a few questions and need some input on getting started. I am currently AOW, EANx certified, age 41, 944 logged minutes.

I would like to minimize my expenses and would like to use as much equipment that I already and will soon to own as possible. I would like to purchase a pony bottle to hang on my descent line at 15ft. while I am still diving OC. I do a very good job sticking to dive plan and have not exceeded no-stop time or ended a dive with less than 400 psi remaining. So could this be a waste of money to buy? I would then like to use this later as my bailout for CCR. Any size recommendations? Steel or Aluminum? I am a Virgin Islands diver so max. depth is 100 feet. Can I use my Oceanic Omega II 2nd stage on the bailout tank?

I have spoken to one member who blends her own gases. What kind of expense would I be looking at to build my own station to blend trimix and heliox? Currently, no helium/Trimix on St. Thomas. No demand with the shallow depths. St. Croix is another story, where she is located. I want to take gas blender course before I take introduction to CCR course to help with my training.

I am going to order the DVD Rebreather FUNdamentals as a start but I was wondering if I could get some help on deciding which rebreather to pursue. I would like the "top 3 units, if such a thing exists" to meet my needs for the following:

1. Photography (edit: current housing rated to 200 ft.)
2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth
3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks.
a. Uses standard scuba tanks
b. Can use standard valves but will accept custom as long as I can buy extra and install in standard tanks.
4. Use with OC buddy, built in bailout can those be shared???
5. Have courses near to St. Thomas or Chicago

Thanks in Advance,

Chris Howard

I assume the "she" you are talking about is Darlene and you may want to ask her these questions directly. She is ScubaVixen on this board. I would be inclined to trust any advice she might offer. The big thing is I could offer advice but it would pertain to an entirely different environment that the one you are diving in.
One suggestion though is aluminum slings way better than steel.

Dawktah · 5th October 2006, 17:25

I have spoken to her briefly but didn't want to burden her as my source for gas. Also, she's 35 nautical miles away, when I am on St. Thomas, an hour by RIB.

--Chris

E-man · 5th October 2006, 19:22

I've been using a al 40 for my bail/secondary inflation (dry suit) and am quite happy with using that for all my ~130' max dives. that coupled with the 4l optima tanks i have plenty of extra gas for multiple dives on the tanks. as for built in bail, there is a reg hooked to the dil tank (optima) which i can give to a buddy or give my slung bail to a budy

if your max dives are in the 100' range then i don't think trimix or heliox should be of much concern right now IMO. i think the benefit/disadvantage ratio would weigh more on the disadvantage side.

you can also pick up Mastering Rebreathers by Jeff Bozanic, there is a lot of good information in there as well.

Dawktah · 6th October 2006, 14:46

141 views and no recommendations for CCR to do intro? Trying them all seems a bit expensive and a lot of travel. Reading about them on this board doesn't help...

***jradomski*** · 6th October 2006, 14:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah)

141 views and no recommendations for CCR to do intro? Trying them all seems a bit expensive and a lot of travel. Reading about them on this board doesn't help...

as to intros, you have either the ADM Rebreather sessions that have been scheduled in various places, or better yet find a local CCR instructor and see if he/she runs a CCR intro class or demos...

If you can get several people together for a CCR intro you can also probably get a CCR instructor to travel to you to show the rigs they have.. I know I have done this myself...

Ben Field · 6th October 2006, 15:54

Based on this....

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah)

2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth
3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks.

Either-

SportKISS, simple, easy to learn on but no option to extend depth beyond 50mtrs.

Meg, Seems to pack up small, can take any tanks, can be used deeper for later but more complex (to begin with) and expensive, check out the COPIS Meg maybe?

Inspiration or Evolution on one of the many travel frames? (Similar reasons to above)

Most of the other options are also good but I'm less sure about flexibility for flying/traveling with CK, Boris, Optima etc.

All IMVHO of course,
BEN

**vidodivr** · 6th October 2006, 17:03

Are you in Chicago or St. Thomas?

If you are in Chicago, I suggest taking a trip up to Minneapolis and chatting with Ron Benson (DeepThought) and he can help you out with any unit.

AND reading about the units and peoples experiences on the site DOES help.

Dawktah · 6th October 2006, 19:34

Quote: (Originally Posted by vidodivr)

Are you in Chicago or St. Thomas?

If you are in Chicago, I suggest taking a trip up to Minneapolis and chatting with Ron Benson (DeepThought) and he can help you out with any unit.

AND reading about the units and peoples experiences on the site DOES help.

Do you have his info you can PM me? Search for Ron Benson doesn't give me a user named Deep Thought.

Silent · 6th October 2006, 20:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah)

Do you have his info you can PM me? Search for Ron Benson doesn't give me a user named Deep Thought.

Deep Thought is Ron Benson's user name here on Rebreather World

His details are here http://www.rebreatherworld.com/membe...p-thought.html

HTH

Neil

5th October 2006, 02:45	#1 (permalink)
Dawktah New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 38	Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Hello! I have a few questions and need some input on getting started. I am currently AOW, EANx certified, age 41, 944 logged minutes. I would like to minimize my expenses and would like to use as much equipment that I already and will soon to own as possible. I would like to purchase a pony bottle to hang on my descent line at 15ft. while I am still diving OC. I do a very good job sticking to dive plan and have not exceeded no-stop time or ended a dive with less than 400 psi remaining. So could this be a waste of money to buy? I would then like to use this later as my bailout for CCR. Any size recommendations? Steel or Aluminum? I am a Virgin Islands diver so max. depth is 100 feet. Can I use my Oceanic Omega II 2nd stage on the bailout tank? I have spoken to one member who blends her own gases. What kind of expense would I be looking at to build my own station to blend trimix and heliox? Currently, no helium/Trimix on St. Thomas. No demand with the shallow depths. St. Croix is another story, where she is located. I want to take gas blender course before I take introduction to CCR course to help with my training. I am going to order the DVD Rebreather FUNdamentals as a start but I was wondering if I could get some help on deciding which rebreather to pursue. I would like the "top 3 units, if such a thing exists" to meet my needs for the following: 1. Photography (edit: current housing rated to 200 ft.) 2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth 3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks. a. Uses standard scuba tanks b. Can use standard valves but will accept custom as long as I can buy extra and install in standard tanks. 4. Use with OC buddy, built in bailout can those be shared??? 5. Have courses near to St. Thomas or Chicago Thanks in Advance, Chris Howard Last edited by Dawktah : 5th October 2006 at 03:14.
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5th October 2006, 04:01	#2 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,358	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah) Hello! I have a few questions and need some input on getting started. I am currently AOW, EANx certified, age 41, 944 logged minutes. I would like to minimize my expenses and would like to use as much equipment that I already and will soon to own as possible. I would like to purchase a pony bottle to hang on my descent line at 15ft. while I am still diving OC. I do a very good job sticking to dive plan and have not exceeded no-stop time or ended a dive with less than 400 psi remaining. So could this be a waste of money to buy? I would then like to use this later as my bailout for CCR. Any size recommendations? Steel or Aluminum? I am a Virgin Islands diver so max. depth is 100 feet. Can I use my Oceanic Omega II 2nd stage on the bailout tank? I have spoken to one member who blends her own gases. What kind of expense would I be looking at to build my own station to blend trimix and heliox? Currently, no helium/Trimix on St. Thomas. No demand with the shallow depths. St. Croix is another story, where she is located. I want to take gas blender course before I take introduction to CCR course to help with my training. I am going to order the DVD Rebreather FUNdamentals as a start but I was wondering if I could get some help on deciding which rebreather to pursue. I would like the "top 3 units, if such a thing exists" to meet my needs for the following: 1. Photography (edit: current housing rated to 200 ft.) 2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth 3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks. a. Uses standard scuba tanks b. Can use standard valves but will accept custom as long as I can buy extra and install in standard tanks. 4. Use with OC buddy, built in bailout can those be shared??? 5. Have courses near to St. Thomas or Chicago Thanks in Advance, Chris Howard I assume the "she" you are talking about is Darlene and you may want to ask her these questions directly. She is ScubaVixen on this board. I would be inclined to trust any advice she might offer. The big thing is I could offer advice but it would pertain to an entirely different environment that the one you are diving in. One suggestion though is aluminum slings way better than steel. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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5th October 2006, 17:25	#3 (permalink)
Dawktah New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 38	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course I have spoken to her briefly but didn't want to burden her as my source for gas. Also, she's 35 nautical miles away, when I am on St. Thomas, an hour by RIB. --Chris Last edited by Dawktah : 5th October 2006 at 17:27.
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5th October 2006, 19:22	#4 (permalink)
E-man On the loop! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other Rebreather/s: Titan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Eastern Coast ;) Posts: 212	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course I've been using a al 40 for my bail/secondary inflation (dry suit) and am quite happy with using that for all my ~130' max dives. that coupled with the 4l optima tanks i have plenty of extra gas for multiple dives on the tanks. as for built in bail, there is a reg hooked to the dil tank (optima) which i can give to a buddy or give my slung bail to a budy if your max dives are in the 100' range then i don't think trimix or heliox should be of much concern right now IMO. i think the benefit/disadvantage ratio would weigh more on the disadvantage side. you can also pick up Mastering Rebreathers by Jeff Bozanic, there is a lot of good information in there as well.
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6th October 2006, 14:46	#5 (permalink)
Dawktah New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 38	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course 141 views and no recommendations for CCR to do intro? Trying them all seems a bit expensive and a lot of travel. Reading about them on this board doesn't help...
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6th October 2006, 14:52	#6 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah) 141 views and no recommendations for CCR to do intro? Trying them all seems a bit expensive and a lot of travel. Reading about them on this board doesn't help... as to intros, you have either the ADM Rebreather sessions that have been scheduled in various places, or better yet find a local CCR instructor and see if he/she runs a CCR intro class or demos... If you can get several people together for a CCR intro you can also probably get a CCR instructor to travel to you to show the rigs they have.. I know I have done this myself... __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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6th October 2006, 15:54	#7 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,485	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Based on this.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah) 2. Primarily for no-stop diving but later deep training to photograph U-Boat and Coelacanth 3. Travel (comes with case or fits in a _________ case), close to 50 lbs. w/o tanks. Either- SportKISS, simple, easy to learn on but no option to extend depth beyond 50mtrs. Meg, Seems to pack up small, can take any tanks, can be used deeper for later but more complex (to begin with) and expensive, check out the COPIS Meg maybe? Inspiration or Evolution on one of the many travel frames? (Similar reasons to above) Most of the other options are also good but I'm less sure about flexibility for flying/traveling with CK, Boris, Optima etc. All IMVHO of course, BEN __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
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6th October 2006, 17:03	#8 (permalink)
vidodivr swims in fishes toilets Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida/Michigan Posts: 475	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Are you in Chicago or St. Thomas? If you are in Chicago, I suggest taking a trip up to Minneapolis and chatting with Ron Benson (DeepThought) and he can help you out with any unit. AND reading about the units and peoples experiences on the site DOES help. __________________ Have a good one, Rob LaLonde CK #087 Narked@90 frame URM Last edited by vidodivr : 6th October 2006 at 17:07.
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6th October 2006, 19:34	#9 (permalink)
Dawktah New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 38	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Quote: (Originally Posted by vidodivr) Are you in Chicago or St. Thomas? If you are in Chicago, I suggest taking a trip up to Minneapolis and chatting with Ron Benson (DeepThought) and he can help you out with any unit. AND reading about the units and peoples experiences on the site DOES help. Do you have his info you can PM me? Search for Ron Benson doesn't give me a user named Deep Thought.
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6th October 2006, 20:45	#10 (permalink)
Silent Staying Silent! Mostly... Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northants, UK Posts: 382	Re: Choosing an Introduction to ________ CCR course Quote: (Originally Posted by Dawktah) Do you have his info you can PM me? Search for Ron Benson doesn't give me a user named Deep Thought. Deep Thought is Ron Benson's user name here on Rebreather World His details are here http://www.rebreatherworld.com/membe...p-thought.html HTH Neil __________________ On the dark side everyone can hear you scream......
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