Oxygen in FL Keys

J.R.Gauthier · 28th December 2006, 01:16

We're headed to the Keys in January. Anyone know of shops that boost O2?
Thanks!

rickm · 28th December 2006, 02:21

Here is some info from a friend of mine when I asked the same question;

Talk to Gary and Brenda at Conch Republic Divers also in Tavenier. They have always been very accomadating to Rebreather divers. They'll get you off the boat first and on last. They also have two boats and will run Tec trips exclusively with one boat if you have enough divers. On these sometimes they'll do two dives on the same wreck on one trip. The OC folks do a surface interval between the dives while the RB guys just do a 2 hours dive!

They've got all gases you need and will gladly let you ship in anything ahead of time (rocks, tanks, breathers, etc.)

Also, they've got a condo they'll rent out with enough notice.

Here's there web site with contact info: http://www.conchrepublicdivers.com/

PaulTG2 · 28th December 2006, 02:48

Hello,

I would HIGHLY recommend Conch Republic. I have done two OC trips and dove with them and they are a GREAT shop. In fact I'm diving them in January with the new Meg along with five friends I'm taking for resort/certifiction dives.

Months ago, when we set up the trip they were more than happy to have the Rebreather and did say, at that time, that they had 100% O2. I'll have to call and confirm that as well as what pressures they'll be able to provide.

Still need to check for Sodalime in the keys for that trip.

--p

dan@scuba-training.net · 28th December 2006, 03:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by rickm)

Talk to Gary and Brenda at Conch Republic Divers also in Tavenier.

Glad to hear that there is a reliable oxygen supplier in the Keys. It has been nearly impossible to get oxygen there in days gone by.

Genesis · 28th December 2006, 05:03

I have dove with Conch Republic as well and had a good experience.

The only caution I will provide is that I had them PP mix up some gas for me a couple of years ago and they transfilled the O2 directly without a needle valve in the line! Needless to say that caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand up a bit as the fill rate was a bit, uh, fast.

I do like those guys - compared to the other operations in the Keys they're definitely my #1 choice when down there diving, if I do not want to drag my own boat with me.

J.R.Gauthier · 29th December 2006, 00:30

Thanks to all for the advise!

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 29th December 2006, 01:24

I get most of my fills done in Miami. So, I am not sure about who does what in the Keys sometimes.

I think that Quiessence has oxygen. So does Conch Republic. The question is: who has the boosters and will go up to decent fill pressures?

dan@scuba-training.net · 29th December 2006, 13:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

I think that Quiessence has oxygen.

They are reluctant to provide oxygen to people without a perscription and they can only transfill from a single cylinder.

1000 psi "fills" are typical and be prepared to plead your case to whomever is behind the counter...

seafox · 29th December 2006, 14:08

I have used Conch Republic in Tavernier, on several occasions, and found them to be very Rebreather friendly and very accomodating.
Capt Gary, Brenda and Dean provide great boats, superb customer service and facilities.
They don't have a Haskel, but have an excellent modern blending station and will will provide over 2K lbs of 02 and HE.
Quite sufficient for CCR use.
They won't disapoint!

Genesis · 29th December 2006, 15:50

Don't even get me started on Quiessence..... that shop's name frequently elicits lots of 4-letter words in reply.... stick with Conch Republic.

As noted no Haskel (at least not the last time I was there) but they have multiple bottles and will get you very close to "new" bottle supply pressure, and they're nice people.

28th December 2006, 01:16	#1 (permalink)
J.R.Gauthier New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 20	Oxygen in FL Keys We're headed to the Keys in January. Anyone know of shops that boost O2? Thanks!
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28th December 2006, 02:21	#2 (permalink)
rickm RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 20	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Here is some info from a friend of mine when I asked the same question; Talk to Gary and Brenda at Conch Republic Divers also in Tavenier. They have always been very accomadating to Rebreather divers. They'll get you off the boat first and on last. They also have two boats and will run Tec trips exclusively with one boat if you have enough divers. On these sometimes they'll do two dives on the same wreck on one trip. The OC folks do a surface interval between the dives while the RB guys just do a 2 hours dive! They've got all gases you need and will gladly let you ship in anything ahead of time (rocks, tanks, breathers, etc.) Also, they've got a condo they'll rent out with enough notice. Here's there web site with contact info: http://www.conchrepublicdivers.com/
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28th December 2006, 02:48	#3 (permalink)
PaulTG2 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 517	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Hello, I would HIGHLY recommend Conch Republic. I have done two OC trips and dove with them and they are a GREAT shop. In fact I'm diving them in January with the new Meg along with five friends I'm taking for resort/certifiction dives. Months ago, when we set up the trip they were more than happy to have the Rebreather and did say, at that time, that they had 100% O2. I'll have to call and confirm that as well as what pressures they'll be able to provide. Still need to check for Sodalime in the keys for that trip. --p
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28th December 2006, 03:42	#4 (permalink)
dan@scuba-training.net New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 98	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Quote: (Originally Posted by rickm) Talk to Gary and Brenda at Conch Republic Divers also in Tavenier. Glad to hear that there is a reliable oxygen supplier in the Keys. It has been nearly impossible to get oxygen there in days gone by.
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28th December 2006, 05:03	#5 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,453	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys I have dove with Conch Republic as well and had a good experience. The only caution I will provide is that I had them PP mix up some gas for me a couple of years ago and they transfilled the O2 directly without a needle valve in the line! Needless to say that caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand up a bit as the fill rate was a bit, uh, fast. I do like those guys - compared to the other operations in the Keys they're definitely my #1 choice when down there diving, if I do not want to drag my own boat with me. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
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29th December 2006, 00:30	#6 (permalink)
J.R.Gauthier New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 20	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Thanks to all for the advise!
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29th December 2006, 01:24	#7 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,215	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys I get most of my fills done in Miami. So, I am not sure about who does what in the Keys sometimes. I think that Quiessence has oxygen. So does Conch Republic. The question is: who has the boosters and will go up to decent fill pressures? __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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29th December 2006, 13:33	#8 (permalink)
dan@scuba-training.net New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 98	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) I think that Quiessence has oxygen. They are reluctant to provide oxygen to people without a perscription and they can only transfill from a single cylinder. 1000 psi "fills" are typical and be prepared to plead your case to whomever is behind the counter...
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29th December 2006, 14:08	#9 (permalink)
seafox 02ptima Instructor Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TORONTO, CANADA -Have "02ptima" will travel! Posts: 172	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys I have used Conch Republic in Tavernier, on several occasions, and found them to be very Rebreather friendly and very accomodating. Capt Gary, Brenda and Dean provide great boats, superb customer service and facilities. They don't have a Haskel, but have an excellent modern blending station and will will provide over 2K lbs of 02 and HE. Quite sufficient for CCR use. They won't disapoint! __________________ Protect the SHARKS! Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities. Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards!
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29th December 2006, 15:50	#10 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,453	Re: Oxygen in FL Keys Don't even get me started on Quiessence..... that shop's name frequently elicits lots of 4-letter words in reply.... stick with Conch Republic. As noted no Haskel (at least not the last time I was there) but they have multiple bottles and will get you very close to "new" bottle supply pressure, and they're nice people. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
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