Bikini Atoll June 2007

Mixaddict · 30th November 2006, 06:22

I am headed to Bikini Atoll next June with a group of 11 divers - 9 OC and myself and a buddy who will be on CCRs. I'm looking for advise from anyone who has dived CCR there concerning the following issues:

1. How did you transport sorb to Bikini?
2. How did you transport tanks for your CCR?
3. Did you dive on air dil the entire time, or did you arrange for HE? If you used HE, how did you get it there?
4. If you dived with air dil, how did it go with the depths on air?
5. Did you find that diving CCR in Bikini was worth the extra logistical hassle and expense at this particular location?
6. How did the dive operation treat you with CCR? Were you required to maintain the same profiles as the OC divers?

Any advice or info you can share with me on any of the above would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Randy

The Purist · 30th November 2006, 10:35

I was part of a group of CCR divers who went there in 03.

For a week you can probably take enough sorb for yourself & just pay the excess (top tip - arrange for freight rates with AMI) - we were going for 2 weeks & with 5 on CCR we shipped it out in advance. You need to talk to the Bikini office on Majuro about the schedule for their supply boats - if you get it to them in Maj in time for the boat it'll be waiting for you in Bikini.

We did use He but bought the tube of He off someone who had left it on Bikini. We mixed up our dil and then used Jetsam boosters to top up the cylinders during the week. We sold on what was left of the dil to Mad Dog
Expeditions for a trip they did - not sure how much is left now!

Cylinders were an issue for us as they only had 6l steels which made the KISSes a bit cumbersome when navigating through the Sara. Not sure what they've done since.

O2 is generated on site - but only to around 95%. Not a bother if you know about it in advance.

One of the group used an Inspo (until it broke) on air dil and was feeling it at depth, but most of the diving is 45m or less so it's not such a major issue. Max depth is somewhere around 55m at the stern of the Sara (if you look for it).

We kept our total in water times to the same 100-ish mins as the OC guys as this was requested by the guys running the diving on Bikini. It may be worth getting hold of the current head DM to check how he wants things run - if you start putting in really long dives it will throw their daily schedule, and make their 'safety' role much harder.

I've done Bikini on OC air & mix CCR, and the mix CCR was far and away the best experience. Chris Storey is over on Yorkshire Divers & worked on Bikini last year and so is probably a good contact - he's signed in as Loneshark, or you can get him at Loneshark Productions

HTH

Keith

Ivon · 30th November 2006, 12:05

Chris is on here as Loneshark also, if you can't get in touch with him I'll be seeing him on Tuesday if you want me to ask him anything or to ask him to get in touch with you.

Loneshark · 30th November 2006, 19:16

Hi There! Someone mention my name?

Here's my two-penneth, from 11 months there....

1. How did you transport sorb to Bikini?
Best bet if you want to take sorb, is get it ordered now and sent to Hawaii. Speak to Jack at Bikini Atoll Divers, there is a contact in Hawaii they use to get cheap shipping from there to Majuro. From here it could go on the February supply ship to Bikini, and be waiting for you when you get there. As far as I know they don't charge for this service, so should save you a few bucks. Second option is to airfreight it with Continental and then get it put on the supply ship from Majuro. Jack will advise.
Another option might be to purchase some remaining kegs stored on island. Many groups leave the surplus un-opened kegs. Jack can get info from Jim (the manager) what's there and who owns it. You might then be able to come to an arrangement with the owners. You could try Andrew Driver from Mad Dog Expeditions, I know they had some left....and also left some 3litre cylinders (without valves)....
2. How did you transport tanks for your CCR?
As above, you might see if you can come to an arrangement, to save you transporting your own. BAD do not have any 3litre tanks. They have several 7litre steels for deco, but they would have to be specially put aside for Rebreather use. Also not ideal as very heavy......
3. Did you dive on air dil the entire time, or did you arrange for HE? If you used HE, how did you get it there?
Look at around $1000 for shipping He from Hawaii. As max depth is 54 m, not really worth it in my opinion. The water is 30 deg C, 40m vis, no current. Imagine a really big swimming pool........Narcosis is not really a problem. He will also mess up the run times with the guides, so you won't really gain anything.
4. If you dived with air dil, how did it go with the depths on air?
No problems. In my time there, we had zero problems with Narcosis with experienced (and dived up) divers. Apart from a bit of a buzz on a fast descent, I didn't find it an issue.
5. Did you find that diving CCR in Bikini was worth the extra logistical hassle and expense at this particular location?
If BAD were geared up for Rebreather's, with a guide on RB, this would be ideal. I had hoped to run that myself for this year, but that wasn't to be....
To be honest, with the extra weight, hassle, need for spare parts, lack of He, low O2 pressure (and purity- up to 4% argon in your o2), and lack off extened bottom time, I think you would have an easier time on OC.

6. How did the dive operation treat you with CCR? Were you required to maintain the same profiles as the OC divers?
Pretty much depends on the group. If they are a large group of mixed ability, then you will be pretty much tied to the plan. Jim isn't really in to Rebreather's, but I believe the new guide there is, so you may be lucky. Generally if there is an opportunity to go off with one guide as a RB group, Jim will try and sort it. You aren't likely to get much extra bottom time, as there is a limit to the total time in water allowed, to get 2 dives in, a decent surface interval, and out the water by 5pm, when the sharks start getting frisky. They tend to operate on a total run time, and RB divers can reverse engineer the dive. Generally that would mean an extra 5-10 mins at the end of some dives, but not all due to logistics.
If the whole group was on Rebreather's you would have more leverage, but really just keep Jim sweet, and I'm sure he will do what he can for you.
Any advice or info you can share with me on any of the above would be much appreciated.

Anything else, feel free to PM me, or drop me an email thorugh
Loneshark Productions

Cheers
Chris

Mixaddict · 30th November 2006, 22:16

Hi Guys,

Thank you so much for the feedback on Bikini. This information will be very helpful.

If anyone else out there has anything additional to add, I am all ears.

Thanks again.
Regards,
Randy

farmerted · 1st December 2006, 01:39

The Mad Dog mix was used up, but I think we had some leftover sorb. We also left a couple sets of alum 19s and a few alum 40s. The only bailout bottles they have are 5liter steels which really suck to carry. In my opinion having the He was worth it, but not entirely necessary. you are however, investing lots o' time and money to go there, so why not spend a little more on some helium. Chris, It's great to see you on here. Ted

Scuttle · 1st December 2006, 02:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by farmerted)

We also left a couple sets of alum 19s and a few alum 40s. The only bailout bottles they have are 5liter steels which really suck to carry.

Hey famerted
I am going back to Bikini in July/ August for two weeks & was looking at sending my tanks over this time, but to save me all the rigmarole, what's the chances of renting out some of your tanks while I'm there.
I would then have to take just valves if they were the same neck thread. 3/4" NPSM.

farmerted · 1st December 2006, 02:41

The tank threads are indeed 3/4. You will have to contact Andrew Driver @ Mad Dog Epeditions as he owns them. His email is info@maddog expeditions.com. I think he will be away for the next week, so do not expect a quick reply. I'm sure he'll be happy to accomodate you. IIRC, the 40s have valves in them. Ted

Scuttle · 1st December 2006, 04:51

Many thanks for the info farmerted, I have just emailed him

I contacted Jim the manager on Bikini this week, he said there was plenty of sorb already on the atoll but didn't tell me what grade or cost.
I prefer course grade for WOB on my unit
I have a stash of sorb on the atoll but I will need to ship some more maybe.
Now is there Anyone wishing to off load their course grade lime stashed on the atoll. Let me know, as I may take it off ya hands @ the right price.

The Purist · 1st December 2006, 09:20

We left a few tubs of (coarse) Grace Sodasorb there in 03 - they were sealed but it's well past it's date by now.... depends how desperate you are!

30th November 2006, 06:22	#1 (permalink)
Mixaddict RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 520	Bikini Atoll June 2007 I am headed to Bikini Atoll next June with a group of 11 divers - 9 OC and myself and a buddy who will be on CCRs. I'm looking for advise from anyone who has dived CCR there concerning the following issues: 1. How did you transport sorb to Bikini? 2. How did you transport tanks for your CCR? 3. Did you dive on air dil the entire time, or did you arrange for HE? If you used HE, how did you get it there? 4. If you dived with air dil, how did it go with the depths on air? 5. Did you find that diving CCR in Bikini was worth the extra logistical hassle and expense at this particular location? 6. How did the dive operation treat you with CCR? Were you required to maintain the same profiles as the OC divers? Any advice or info you can share with me on any of the above would be much appreciated. Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor Last edited by Mixaddict : 30th November 2006 at 06:25.
(Online)

30th November 2006, 10:35	#2 (permalink)
The Purist RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 102	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 I was part of a group of CCR divers who went there in 03. For a week you can probably take enough sorb for yourself & just pay the excess (top tip - arrange for freight rates with AMI) - we were going for 2 weeks & with 5 on CCR we shipped it out in advance. You need to talk to the Bikini office on Majuro about the schedule for their supply boats - if you get it to them in Maj in time for the boat it'll be waiting for you in Bikini. We did use He but bought the tube of He off someone who had left it on Bikini. We mixed up our dil and then used Jetsam boosters to top up the cylinders during the week. We sold on what was left of the dil to Mad Dog Expeditions for a trip they did - not sure how much is left now! Cylinders were an issue for us as they only had 6l steels which made the KISSes a bit cumbersome when navigating through the Sara. Not sure what they've done since. O2 is generated on site - but only to around 95%. Not a bother if you know about it in advance. One of the group used an Inspo (until it broke) on air dil and was feeling it at depth, but most of the diving is 45m or less so it's not such a major issue. Max depth is somewhere around 55m at the stern of the Sara (if you look for it). We kept our total in water times to the same 100-ish mins as the OC guys as this was requested by the guys running the diving on Bikini. It may be worth getting hold of the current head DM to check how he wants things run - if you start putting in really long dives it will throw their daily schedule, and make their 'safety' role much harder. I've done Bikini on OC air & mix CCR, and the mix CCR was far and away the best experience. Chris Storey is over on Yorkshire Divers & worked on Bikini last year and so is probably a good contact - he's signed in as Loneshark, or you can get him at Loneshark Productions HTH Keith
(Offline)

30th November 2006, 12:05	#3 (permalink)
Ivon Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hull, East Yorkshire, England Posts: 318	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 Chris is on here as Loneshark also, if you can't get in touch with him I'll be seeing him on Tuesday if you want me to ask him anything or to ask him to get in touch with you.
(Offline)

30th November 2006, 19:16	#4 (permalink)
Loneshark RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hull East Yorks Posts: 64	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 Hi There! Someone mention my name? Here's my two-penneth, from 11 months there.... 1. How did you transport sorb to Bikini? Best bet if you want to take sorb, is get it ordered now and sent to Hawaii. Speak to Jack at Bikini Atoll Divers, there is a contact in Hawaii they use to get cheap shipping from there to Majuro. From here it could go on the February supply ship to Bikini, and be waiting for you when you get there. As far as I know they don't charge for this service, so should save you a few bucks. Second option is to airfreight it with Continental and then get it put on the supply ship from Majuro. Jack will advise. Another option might be to purchase some remaining kegs stored on island. Many groups leave the surplus un-opened kegs. Jack can get info from Jim (the manager) what's there and who owns it. You might then be able to come to an arrangement with the owners. You could try Andrew Driver from Mad Dog Expeditions, I know they had some left....and also left some 3litre cylinders (without valves).... 2. How did you transport tanks for your CCR? As above, you might see if you can come to an arrangement, to save you transporting your own. BAD do not have any 3litre tanks. They have several 7litre steels for deco, but they would have to be specially put aside for Rebreather use. Also not ideal as very heavy...... 3. Did you dive on air dil the entire time, or did you arrange for HE? If you used HE, how did you get it there? Look at around $1000 for shipping He from Hawaii. As max depth is 54 m, not really worth it in my opinion. The water is 30 deg C, 40m vis, no current. Imagine a really big swimming pool........Narcosis is not really a problem. He will also mess up the run times with the guides, so you won't really gain anything. 4. If you dived with air dil, how did it go with the depths on air? No problems. In my time there, we had zero problems with Narcosis with experienced (and dived up) divers. Apart from a bit of a buzz on a fast descent, I didn't find it an issue. 5. Did you find that diving CCR in Bikini was worth the extra logistical hassle and expense at this particular location? If BAD were geared up for Rebreather's, with a guide on RB, this would be ideal. I had hoped to run that myself for this year, but that wasn't to be.... To be honest, with the extra weight, hassle, need for spare parts, lack of He, low O2 pressure (and purity- up to 4% argon in your o2), and lack off extened bottom time, I think you would have an easier time on OC. 6. How did the dive operation treat you with CCR? Were you required to maintain the same profiles as the OC divers? Pretty much depends on the group. If they are a large group of mixed ability, then you will be pretty much tied to the plan. Jim isn't really in to Rebreather's, but I believe the new guide there is, so you may be lucky. Generally if there is an opportunity to go off with one guide as a RB group, Jim will try and sort it. You aren't likely to get much extra bottom time, as there is a limit to the total time in water allowed, to get 2 dives in, a decent surface interval, and out the water by 5pm, when the sharks start getting frisky. They tend to operate on a total run time, and RB divers can reverse engineer the dive. Generally that would mean an extra 5-10 mins at the end of some dives, but not all due to logistics. If the whole group was on Rebreather's you would have more leverage, but really just keep Jim sweet, and I'm sure he will do what he can for you. Any advice or info you can share with me on any of the above would be much appreciated. Anything else, feel free to PM me, or drop me an email thorugh Loneshark Productions Cheers Chris __________________ www.lonesharkproductions.com
(Offline)

30th November 2006, 22:16	#5 (permalink)
Mixaddict RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 520	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 Hi Guys, Thank you so much for the feedback on Bikini. This information will be very helpful. If anyone else out there has anything additional to add, I am all ears. Thanks again. Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Online)

1st December 2006, 01:39	#6 (permalink)
farmerted New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island/Wakulla Posts: 14	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 The Mad Dog mix was used up, but I think we had some leftover sorb. We also left a couple sets of alum 19s and a few alum 40s. The only bailout bottles they have are 5liter steels which really suck to carry. In my opinion having the He was worth it, but not entirely necessary. you are however, investing lots o' time and money to go there, so why not spend a little more on some helium. Chris, It's great to see you on here. Ted
(Offline)

1st December 2006, 02:14	#7 (permalink)
Scuttle 1 Grumpy ole skipper Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jan Juc, Vic, Australia Posts: 242	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 Quote: (Originally Posted by farmerted) We also left a couple sets of alum 19s and a few alum 40s. The only bailout bottles they have are 5liter steels which really suck to carry. Hey famerted I am going back to Bikini in July/ August for two weeks & was looking at sending my tanks over this time, but to save me all the rigmarole, what's the chances of renting out some of your tanks while I'm there. I would then have to take just valves if they were the same neck thread. 3/4" NPSM.
(Offline)

1st December 2006, 02:41	#8 (permalink)
farmerted New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island/Wakulla Posts: 14	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 The tank threads are indeed 3/4. You will have to contact Andrew Driver @ Mad Dog Epeditions as he owns them. His email is info@maddog expeditions.com. I think he will be away for the next week, so do not expect a quick reply. I'm sure he'll be happy to accomodate you. IIRC, the 40s have valves in them. Ted
(Offline)

1st December 2006, 04:51	#9 (permalink)
Scuttle 1 Grumpy ole skipper Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jan Juc, Vic, Australia Posts: 242	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 Many thanks for the info farmerted, I have just emailed him I contacted Jim the manager on Bikini this week, he said there was plenty of sorb already on the atoll but didn't tell me what grade or cost. I prefer course grade for WOB on my unit I have a stash of sorb on the atoll but I will need to ship some more maybe. Now is there Anyone wishing to off load their course grade lime stashed on the atoll. Let me know, as I may take it off ya hands @ the right price.
(Offline)

1st December 2006, 09:20	#10 (permalink)
The Purist RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 102	Re: Bikini Atoll June 2007 We left a few tubs of (coarse) Grace Sodasorb there in 03 - they were sealed but it's well past it's date by now.... depends how desperate you are!
(Offline)

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