Drager Dolphin, new.

KevinGreen · 18th June 2007, 05:18

Hello everyone,

My name is Kevin and I am 15. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Have some rig diving experience. Nothing near a rebreather. I was just hoping there were some Texans that could guide me as to what skills are needed to begin rebreather training and how I could go about getting certified to use one of these.

Thanks, Im going to get some sport open circuit stuff within a year, I know it may seem slow but scuba diving is expensive that is why I dont have a lot of experience even using OC stuff.

Thanks
Kevin

**Freef** · 18th June 2007, 15:41

Going from OC to SCR or CCR involes the use of gasses other than air, so a workign knowledge of nitrox [at least] will be needed. Some [all?] agencies will require you to have done a nitrox course first so you don't have to cover the theory in depth when you do the rebreather course.

What makes a good rebreather diver? First of all you will have to be ABSOLUTELY dedicated to making sure the unit is fully operational before you get in the water with it. Although the design of a rebreather is basically a couple of hoses, plastic bags, a box with scrubber in it, a couple of one way valves and a mouthpiece there are many ways that it can catch you out.

You have to make sure the scrubber is properly packed and fresh-keeping part used scrubber in the cannister for months is not on.

Assembly checks and pre dive checks must be completed every time before you get in the water. On my course I forgot to fit a drain plug, which had I ignored the assembly checks would have caused a flood during use. I know a diver who doesn't bother with pre use checks, and I don't dive with them any more.

Once out of the water you also have to clean the unit thoroghly-this takes longer than preparing the unit if you do it properly.

You cannot practice Rebreather skills on OC. You can practice the skills that apply to both types of diving though; buoyancy being the most important, although this needs to be re learned for RB diving. The more time you have in the water before going to RB's the better as you will be able to concentrate on the RB rather than adapting to being underwater.

RebreatherSwiTcH · 18th June 2007, 16:43

Hey Kevin, If your ever in the Austin area and down for some lake/quarry diving let me know. A buddy of mine/instructor does some discover rebreather nights in his pool if you get the itch.

Matt H.

**Lake_Tahoe_Diver** · 18th June 2007, 17:07

Welcome to the group, once you start diving a rebreather you will not believe how noisy OC diving is. I think you will like it.

KrisB · 19th June 2007, 04:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by Freef)

Some [all?] agencies will require you to have done a nitrox course first so you don't have to cover the theory in depth when you do the rebreather course.

IIRC, IANTD will actually let the instructor train the diver on SCR while working on the initial Open Water certification...

KevinGreen · 19th June 2007, 04:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by RebreatherSwiTcH)

Hey Kevin, If your ever in the Austin area and down for some lake/quarry diving let me know. A buddy of mine/instructor does some discover rebreather nights in his pool if you get the itch.

Matt H.

Hey I might take you up on that although I think Im going to need a lot more in water experience with the OC stuff before diving (no pun intended) into SCR diving. Where do you use your dolphin? Lake travis?

Thanks alot I definitely will keep up with this sight altough I dont think I will be getting into SCR for a couple years atleast.

Kevin

KevinGreen · 20th June 2007, 04:20

Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it.

Thanks
Kevin

KrisB · 20th June 2007, 07:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by KevinGreen)

Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it.

Thanks
Kevin

I had ~70 dives on open-circuit before my first rebreather dive, and I wasn't comfortable with it.

I had ~200 dives (and 4 months, and DM & Instructor training) before my second, and that time it was a piece of cake.

-kb

**Freef** · 20th June 2007, 18:22

5 years / 400 dives and a big Aussie ex navy diver threatening all sorts of things if I flooded the loop...

Captain Randy · 20th June 2007, 18:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by KevinGreen)

Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it.

Thanks
Kevin

I had about 20 years on OC before my first rebreather.

From Corpus the closest fresh water sights would probably be Canyon lake or Lake Travis but don,t dismiss the Gulf. Rig diving is not that much $$ and alot more interesting.

Randy

18th June 2007, 05:18	#1 (permalink)
KevinGreen New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 3	Drager Dolphin, new. Hello everyone, My name is Kevin and I am 15. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Have some rig diving experience. Nothing near a rebreather. I was just hoping there were some Texans that could guide me as to what skills are needed to begin rebreather training and how I could go about getting certified to use one of these. Thanks, Im going to get some sport open circuit stuff within a year, I know it may seem slow but scuba diving is expensive that is why I dont have a lot of experience even using OC stuff. Thanks Kevin
(Offline)

18th June 2007, 15:41	#2 (permalink)
Freef Custom Title Disallowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Freef, UK. Posts: 1,353	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Going from OC to SCR or CCR involes the use of gasses other than air, so a workign knowledge of nitrox [at least] will be needed. Some [all?] agencies will require you to have done a nitrox course first so you don't have to cover the theory in depth when you do the rebreather course. What makes a good rebreather diver? First of all you will have to be ABSOLUTELY dedicated to making sure the unit is fully operational before you get in the water with it. Although the design of a rebreather is basically a couple of hoses, plastic bags, a box with scrubber in it, a couple of one way valves and a mouthpiece there are many ways that it can catch you out. You have to make sure the scrubber is properly packed and fresh-keeping part used scrubber in the cannister for months is not on. Assembly checks and pre dive checks must be completed every time before you get in the water. On my course I forgot to fit a drain plug, which had I ignored the assembly checks would have caused a flood during use. I know a diver who doesn't bother with pre use checks, and I don't dive with them any more. Once out of the water you also have to clean the unit thoroghly-this takes longer than preparing the unit if you do it properly. You cannot practice Rebreather skills on OC. You can practice the skills that apply to both types of diving though; buoyancy being the most important, although this needs to be re learned for RB diving. The more time you have in the water before going to RB's the better as you will be able to concentrate on the RB rather than adapting to being underwater. __________________ David. Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.
(Offline)

18th June 2007, 16:43	#3 (permalink)
RebreatherSwiTcH New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 4	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Hey Kevin, If your ever in the Austin area and down for some lake/quarry diving let me know. A buddy of mine/instructor does some discover rebreather nights in his pool if you get the itch. Matt H.
(Offline)

18th June 2007, 17:07	#4 (permalink)
Lake_Tahoe_Diver Enjoying the silence Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, Nv. (Lake Tahoe) Posts: 187	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Welcome to the group, once you start diving a rebreather you will not believe how noisy OC diving is. I think you will like it. __________________ Scuba Diving,the only sport where it is good to be in over your head....
(Offline)

19th June 2007, 04:12	#5 (permalink)
KrisB New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kihei, Hawaii / Prince George, BC, Canada Posts: 4	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Quote: (Originally Posted by Freef) Some [all?] agencies will require you to have done a nitrox course first so you don't have to cover the theory in depth when you do the rebreather course. IIRC, IANTD will actually let the instructor train the diver on SCR while working on the initial Open Water certification...
(Offline)

19th June 2007, 04:25	#6 (permalink)
KevinGreen New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 3	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Quote: (Originally Posted by RebreatherSwiTcH) Hey Kevin, If your ever in the Austin area and down for some lake/quarry diving let me know. A buddy of mine/instructor does some discover rebreather nights in his pool if you get the itch. Matt H. Hey I might take you up on that although I think Im going to need a lot more in water experience with the OC stuff before diving (no pun intended) into SCR diving. Where do you use your dolphin? Lake travis? Thanks alot I definitely will keep up with this sight altough I dont think I will be getting into SCR for a couple years atleast. Kevin
(Offline)

20th June 2007, 04:20	#7 (permalink)
KevinGreen New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 3	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it. Thanks Kevin
(Offline)

20th June 2007, 07:00	#8 (permalink)
KrisB New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kihei, Hawaii / Prince George, BC, Canada Posts: 4	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Quote: (Originally Posted by KevinGreen) Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it. Thanks Kevin I had ~70 dives on open-circuit before my first rebreather dive, and I wasn't comfortable with it. I had ~200 dives (and 4 months, and DM & Instructor training) before my second, and that time it was a piece of cake. -kb
(Offline)

20th June 2007, 18:22	#9 (permalink)
Freef Custom Title Disallowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Freef, UK. Posts: 1,353	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. 5 years / 400 dives and a big Aussie ex navy diver threatening all sorts of things if I flooded the loop... __________________ David. Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.
(Offline)

20th June 2007, 18:23	#10 (permalink)
Captain Randy New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Ray Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Ray Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 45	Re: Drager Dolphin, new. Quote: (Originally Posted by KevinGreen) Hey guys im just wondering how much experience yall had on OC before getting in the rebreather business. Also do any texans kno of any good frshwater spots in texas that would be suitable for this spring for an oc diver needing experience and lots of it. Thanks Kevin I had about 20 years on OC before my first rebreather. From Corpus the closest fresh water sights would probably be Canyon lake or Lake Travis but don,t dismiss the Gulf. Rig diving is not that much $$ and alot more interesting. Randy
(Online)

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