Work of Breathing

SilverSurfer · 26th October 2006, 22:26

I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? Is it easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg?

Thanks

Jeff

zepp · 26th October 2006, 22:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by SilverSurfer)

I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? It is easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg?

Thanks

Jeff

Much depends on which unit....where the lungs are located. eg a Classic Kiss will be very easy to inhale if you are laying on your back (chipmonk cheeks), whereas an Inspo has the opposite effect. The best compromise is something like the Megladon which has OTS lungs.

**Gill Envy** · 26th October 2006, 22:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by SilverSurfer)

I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? It is easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg?

Thanks

Jeff

jeff, it sounds like you will have some first hand experience very soon

there is quite a difference between how the loop feels compared to a regulator. Your question is insightful. correct, there is not a nifty regulator assisting your breathing as on OC. I don't find that this makes breathing harder per say, just totally different. You need to add air to your counter lungs the way you would to a BC...more as you go deeper. because the air in your counter lungs and your lungs is subject to surrounding pressure you can feel the pressure on your throat, ears, and eyes more significantly. this takes some getting used to and learning how to balance the desired minimum loop volume with adequate loop volume to counter sinus/eye pressure...that was an issue for me at least. Eventually I had to get a new mask so that i could hold a little positive pressure in it, without having air come out the sides, so that my eyes didn't get pressed on so much...I was having issues with blury vision half way through the dives.

As far as WOB, it's perhaps more, but if you keep adjusting the loop volume as needed, it's actually quite natural. i generally like breathing on the loop better because it's so humid and feels good.

happy try outs! You will likely fall in love with diving in a whole new way, I sure did.

Dutchy · 27th October 2006, 06:49

I'd say its easier to control your breathing. Many OC regs jave to be sucked open after which hey deliver a lot fast. Tring to slowly inhale is more difficult on such regs and has actually a higher WOB.
The Rebreather makes it easy to slowly inhale and exhale as you would like to have done on OC. In general it feels more natural...(to me)

Nemo1957 · 27th October 2006, 10:52

I agree the breathing does feel more natural than OC. I compare the WOB of my Optima with proper loop volume to breathing on a snorkel.

Have fun.

Moray Brown · 27th October 2006, 11:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by zepp)

Much depends on which unit....where the lungs are located. eg a Classic Kiss will be very easy to inhale if you are laying on your back (chipmonk cheeks), whereas an Inspo has the opposite effect. The best compromise is something like the Megladon which has OTS lungs.

Hang-on... I'm sure AP's are OTS lungs

viscya · 27th October 2006, 12:16

Jeff,

WOB is not significantly more or less on CC vs OC. If there was a high WOB then the technology would be unviable (CO2 buildup, muscle fatigue...). The breathing is just a different feel. It's much more like breathing on the surface.

Don't concern your self with it. Once you try it out, you will be hooked. The only problem is going to be that your buoyancy control will be shot. After a while you'll get it back. Have fun!

CCRDVR · 27th October 2006, 13:11

When I used to dive OC, I had to concentrate on my breathing, making sure to take slow deep breaths...yadda yadda yadda. Since I've gone over to the dark side, I really don't think about breathing anymore as it is pretty much effortless. I cannot say what the WOB is like on other brands of rebreathers, but I can say that on my Optima, it is for me quite effortless.
Aloha,
CCRDVR

Moray Brown · 27th October 2006, 14:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by CCRDVR)

When I used to dive OC, I had to concentrate on my breathing, making sure to take slow deep breaths...yadda yadda yadda. Since I've gone over to the dark side, I really don't think about breathing anymore as it is pretty much effortless. I cannot say what the WOB is like on other brands of rebreathers, but I can say that on my Optima, it is for me quite effortless.
Aloha,
CCRDVR

I think a degree of watching your breathing still happens on CCR i.e not breathing to hard to aviod Co2 build up, but agree it's very easy

zepp · 27th October 2006, 15:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by Deep Star)

Hang-on... I'm sure AP's are OTS lungs

NO !...more chest mounted, I'd say. The Meg are more over the shoulder. Do you agree?

26th October 2006, 22:26	#1 (permalink)
SilverSurfer New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 14	Work of Breathing I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? Is it easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg? Thanks Jeff __________________ You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. AGB Last edited by SilverSurfer : 27th October 2006 at 01:07.
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26th October 2006, 22:43	#2 (permalink)
zepp "Dyson with Death" daddy Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: midlands Posts: 274	Re: Work of Breathing Quote: (Originally Posted by SilverSurfer) I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? It is easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg? Thanks Jeff Much depends on which unit....where the lungs are located. eg a Classic Kiss will be very easy to inhale if you are laying on your back (chipmonk cheeks), whereas an Inspo has the opposite effect. The best compromise is something like the Megladon which has OTS lungs. __________________ I'm not a bad person.....HONEST my homebuild photos http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...ery.php/cat/48 CLASSIC KISS #052
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26th October 2006, 22:51	#3 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Diver Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,255	Re: Work of Breathing Quote: (Originally Posted by SilverSurfer) I will be taking a rebreather discovery class in a week or so. The big unknown for me is, what is breathing like on the loop. OC practically forces the air down your throat. Do you every feel like you are straining to inhale while on a rebreather? It is easier to over breath a rebreather as opposed to a an OC reg? Thanks Jeff jeff, it sounds like you will have some first hand experience very soon there is quite a difference between how the loop feels compared to a regulator. Your question is insightful. correct, there is not a nifty regulator assisting your breathing as on OC. I don't find that this makes breathing harder per say, just totally different. You need to add air to your counter lungs the way you would to a BC...more as you go deeper. because the air in your counter lungs and your lungs is subject to surrounding pressure you can feel the pressure on your throat, ears, and eyes more significantly. this takes some getting used to and learning how to balance the desired minimum loop volume with adequate loop volume to counter sinus/eye pressure...that was an issue for me at least. Eventually I had to get a new mask so that i could hold a little positive pressure in it, without having air come out the sides, so that my eyes didn't get pressed on so much...I was having issues with blury vision half way through the dives. As far as WOB, it's perhaps more, but if you keep adjusting the loop volume as needed, it's actually quite natural. i generally like breathing on the loop better because it's so humid and feels good. happy try outs! You will likely fall in love with diving in a whole new way, I sure did. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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27th October 2006, 06:49	#4 (permalink)
Dutchy SK#007 Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nieuwegein (The Netherlands) Posts: 699	Re: Work of Breathing I'd say its easier to control your breathing. Many OC regs jave to be sucked open after which hey deliver a lot fast. Tring to slowly inhale is more difficult on such regs and has actually a higher WOB. The Rebreather makes it easy to slowly inhale and exhale as you would like to have done on OC. In general it feels more natural...(to me) __________________ = This post is environmentally friendly. It is composed of 100% recycled electrons only. = SK #007
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27th October 2006, 10:52	#5 (permalink)
Nemo1957 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York Posts: 76	Re: Work of Breathing I agree the breathing does feel more natural than OC. I compare the WOB of my Optima with proper loop volume to breathing on a snorkel. Have fun.
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27th October 2006, 11:23	#6 (permalink)
Moray Brown Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WMUK Posts: 227	Re: Work of Breathing Quote: (Originally Posted by zepp) Much depends on which unit....where the lungs are located. eg a Classic Kiss will be very easy to inhale if you are laying on your back (chipmonk cheeks), whereas an Inspo has the opposite effect. The best compromise is something like the Megladon which has OTS lungs. Hang-on... I'm sure AP's are OTS lungs
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27th October 2006, 12:16	#7 (permalink)
viscya Wrecking Crew Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Marlton New Jersey Posts: 140	Re: Work of Breathing Jeff, WOB is not significantly more or less on CC vs OC. If there was a high WOB then the technology would be unviable (CO2 buildup, muscle fatigue...). The breathing is just a different feel. It's much more like breathing on the surface. Don't concern your self with it. Once you try it out, you will be hooked. The only problem is going to be that your buoyancy control will be shot. After a while you'll get it back. Have fun! __________________ "There is nothing majestic or dignified about being left to silently rot and collapse under heaps of old fishing net forgotten and unappreciated in dark and unvisited waters." DrMike
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27th October 2006, 13:11	#8 (permalink)
CCRDVR New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 81	Re: Work of Breathing When I used to dive OC, I had to concentrate on my breathing, making sure to take slow deep breaths...yadda yadda yadda. Since I've gone over to the dark side, I really don't think about breathing anymore as it is pretty much effortless. I cannot say what the WOB is like on other brands of rebreathers, but I can say that on my Optima, it is for me quite effortless. Aloha, CCRDVR
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27th October 2006, 14:20	#9 (permalink)
Moray Brown Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WMUK Posts: 227	Re: Work of Breathing Quote: (Originally Posted by CCRDVR) When I used to dive OC, I had to concentrate on my breathing, making sure to take slow deep breaths...yadda yadda yadda. Since I've gone over to the dark side, I really don't think about breathing anymore as it is pretty much effortless. I cannot say what the WOB is like on other brands of rebreathers, but I can say that on my Optima, it is for me quite effortless. Aloha, CCRDVR I think a degree of watching your breathing still happens on CCR i.e not breathing to hard to aviod Co2 build up, but agree it's very easy
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27th October 2006, 15:07	#10 (permalink)
zepp "Dyson with Death" daddy Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: midlands Posts: 274	Re: Work of Breathing Quote: (Originally Posted by Deep Star) Hang-on... I'm sure AP's are OTS lungs NO !...more chest mounted, I'd say. The Meg are more over the shoulder. Do you agree? __________________ I'm not a bad person.....HONEST my homebuild photos http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...ery.php/cat/48 CLASSIC KISS #052
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