[almitywife]

Part V

The Automatic injection Rebreathers
The following list of available units is not entirely comprehensive, I invite additions and corrections.

The rebreathers that I am familiar with in the eCCR camp are the Inspiration/Evolution with Vision electronics, the Megalodon (mini, standard and expedition), the Optima, and the Prism.

The main features of distinction among brands of eCCR’s as I know them:


The Vision Inspiration and Evolution are often referred to as the creme de la creme of eCCR's...the most complex, sophisticated and integrated of them all…at the opposite end of the spectrum from the philosophy of the KISS. Both the Evolution and Inspiration come with the famed Vision electronics…an intelligent global monitoring and warning system including a HUD monitor, a warning buzzer for all detected malfuctions and a temp stick that tracks the heat given off in the scrubber and approximates scrubber duration through a graph on the screen. The vision electronics are credited as being the most user friendly, plug and play out of the box. The monitoring system helps the diver monitor proper set point controller function. The single handset displays readings from two somewhat independent controllers that, to some extent share batteries. Both units come with an integrated weights/wing/harness/counterlung configuration as one piece and don’t easily accept other harnesses/wings/counterlung configuration without significant modification. They both also come stock with a regulator style ADV, and an integrated BC inflator and octopus style extra regulator to administer bail-out gas from the diluent bottle. The main difference between the Evolution and Inspiration is size and duration...the Inspiration takes a larger scrubber and tanks. The Inspiration and Evolution come with proprietary valves and a hard case, requiring brand name tanks and valves if used in the stock case. However, there are third party frames that open up the options, not requiring one to travel with the tanks. It is recommended that they receive annual factory maintenance. They can be costly to maintain but offer state-of-the -art technology and world-class customer care. The very thing that makes the Vision electronics so appealing also makes it vulnerable to malfunction. A nifty fourth cell adapter is offered by a third party and there are rumors that one is being created that will allow the Shearwater Pursuit to be hooked up to all 3 cells for manual diving in case of a primary failure on a remote trip where factory service is inconvenient or impossible. The addition of a fourth cell adapter with the capacity to allow for 3 cell monitoring and manual injection would allow one to enjoy one of the best eCCRs with the true redundancy recommended for expedition diving.


The Megaladon has over the shoulder counterlungs , two fully independent hand sets, a po2 set point controller on the primary. This system can be used for diving in the automatic mode, or with a few modifications can also be used in an mCCR format if there is a problem with the solenoid. The electronics do not come with on board deco. It boasts tank like build quality and devoted customer care. It comes with a HUD for po2 monitoring. It also comes stock with a Schrader valve style ADV and a flow stop. The flow stop allows one to turn off the Schrader style ADV since it can administer a massive flow of diluent…not something you want to do accidentally. Built to not require a case, the Meg is becoming known for it's modularity, allowing the diver to choose everything from the type of electronics to the type of wing, to the size and type of tanks, scrubber size and the list goes on and on...not an easy set of choices for a beginner, but it has the potential to be modified as one’s tastes and diving styles change. It comes standard with an axial scrubber and a third party radial scrubber is available for the standard meg.

The Prism Topaz is a mix in philosophy between the simplicity of an mCCR and the convenience of an eCCR. It combines a simple, independent po2 display with a traditional electronic set point controller (no onboard deco). It comes with a hard back case called a cowling, clear acrylic scrubber canister (easy to tell if there is a leak) a color-coded display that can be either a HUD or a wrist mount. It has over the shoulder counterlungs. The main distinguishing characteristics of the Prism are that it comes stock with a radial scrubber and with special o2 sensors and a passive secondary po2 gauge that literally runs off the electricity produced by the sensors. All o2 sensors are basically fuel cells, which generate electricity from the reaction they have with o2, this current is measured to determine o2 concentration. The Prism employs a special high output o2 sensor that produces enough electricity to power a mechanical needle style po2 gauge…this back up display is designed to provide a comparison to the battery operated set point controller, if the primary fails, this display can be a lifeline and a trip saver, allowing for manual injection without any battery power supply. It comes with over the shoulder counterlungs and a radial scrubber. The radial scrubber distributes exhaled breath from inside a column to outside rather than from one end of a cylinder to another…as with an axial scrubber. This tends to be much more efficient, boasting exceptional duration, which can equate into fewer pails of sorb needing to be hauled to remote locations. The unit's integrated buoyancy compensator and harness assembly includes ditchable weight pockets and an alternative inflation regulator (ScubaPro Air II). The Prism technology has recently been bought out by Oceanic and a new version should be coming out soon.


Dive Rite’s Optima boasts a tried and true set point controller, the “Hammerhead” electronics. The Hammerhead has two fully independent handsets, which is generally used for diving in the automatic mode, or with a few modifications, can also be used in a mCCR format if there is a problem with the solenoid. The controller includes on board decompression. For the most part, Dive Rite has taken the approach of using already proven components, with the exception of the HUD and Scrubber. The HUD is a vibrating style called the Diva, which is designed to catch the attention of the diver if there is a problem by vibrating the mouth piece. The scrubber used employs the state-of-the-art Micropore scrubber cartridge called the Extend Air Cartridge (EAC). The EAC is manufactured from a Co2 absorbent material that has been sprayed on a Gore-Tex like mesh and rolled into a sealed cylinder, kind of like an air filter cartridge. Its fans are attracted to claims that it offers a more uniform absorption rate and reduced chance of caustic cocktail. They love the convenience when it comes time to swapping it out and are willing to pay a premium for the cartridge (about 3x the cost of standard sodasorb co2 absorbent). They can take any standard harness, particularly any one of Dive Rite’s impressive arrays of tried and true harnesses that have enjoyed the many years of R&D that Dive Rite has put into their large OC gear market. The Optima can take a variety of diluent and tank sizes.