SFLDiver3445
Contributor
I thought I'd post this thread, becuase I'm curious of other diver's opinions about the use of rebreathers and if/when they think rebreathers will become the norm for all divers.
I've been exclusively using a Dive Rite Optima closed circuit rebreather since July of this year. I purchased the rebreather primarily to use it for deep technical diving, which is something I previously did on open circuit equipment; however, I lately find myself doing primarily recreational diving and underwater photography and can't even imagine going back to open circuit diving for any of my diving.
I've also noticed that, even in the short 5 month period I've been using my rebreather, each time I go out on a dive boat I see more and more rebreather divers. Furthermore, I heard that the DEMA Show this year had a very heavy rebreather presence.
Friday, 11/30/2007. I participated in a rebreather wreck diving trip in Pompano Beach, FL (Trip Report: Florida S.C.R.U.B.s 11/30 3-Wreck Extravaganza - Rebreather World Forums). I was one of the divers who helped organize the dive, along with other rebreather divers on the Rebreather World website (Rebreather World - Rebreathers for Scuba Diving - the next step). We had 14 rebreather divers join us the trip, and two of those were even women - Those kind of numbers have to mean something!
I realize that South Florida has a heavier concentration of divers than most other areas, which kind of skiews the local view. Also, the local presence of Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale), which also operates under Dive Rite Express (Dive Rite Express) and Rebreather Express (Rebreather Express - Rebreathers and Accessories. Full Warranties. Free Shipping.) makes the concentration of rebreathers in this area a bit heavier than most areas, primarily becuase they offer such an amesome (A++++++) level of sales, instruction and ongoing support, unmatched by any LDS i've ever seen, that it makes the purchase, training and ongoing support process very easy, which is not the norm everywhere.
I recognize that rebreathers are still expensive and that there exist lots of misconceptions about the true ongoing danger involved in diving them, but if a LDS such as Fill Express can have an impact on the number of rebreathers in this area, what's to stop it from spreading to most areas? Furthermore, with dive boats now starting to realize that rebreather divers aren't any different to take out than normal divers, how long before the plague spreads? And how long will that take? If ever?
I'm curious to hear your opinions!
I've been exclusively using a Dive Rite Optima closed circuit rebreather since July of this year. I purchased the rebreather primarily to use it for deep technical diving, which is something I previously did on open circuit equipment; however, I lately find myself doing primarily recreational diving and underwater photography and can't even imagine going back to open circuit diving for any of my diving.
I've also noticed that, even in the short 5 month period I've been using my rebreather, each time I go out on a dive boat I see more and more rebreather divers. Furthermore, I heard that the DEMA Show this year had a very heavy rebreather presence.
Friday, 11/30/2007. I participated in a rebreather wreck diving trip in Pompano Beach, FL (Trip Report: Florida S.C.R.U.B.s 11/30 3-Wreck Extravaganza - Rebreather World Forums). I was one of the divers who helped organize the dive, along with other rebreather divers on the Rebreather World website (Rebreather World - Rebreathers for Scuba Diving - the next step). We had 14 rebreather divers join us the trip, and two of those were even women - Those kind of numbers have to mean something!
I realize that South Florida has a heavier concentration of divers than most other areas, which kind of skiews the local view. Also, the local presence of Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale), which also operates under Dive Rite Express (Dive Rite Express) and Rebreather Express (Rebreather Express - Rebreathers and Accessories. Full Warranties. Free Shipping.) makes the concentration of rebreathers in this area a bit heavier than most areas, primarily becuase they offer such an amesome (A++++++) level of sales, instruction and ongoing support, unmatched by any LDS i've ever seen, that it makes the purchase, training and ongoing support process very easy, which is not the norm everywhere.
I recognize that rebreathers are still expensive and that there exist lots of misconceptions about the true ongoing danger involved in diving them, but if a LDS such as Fill Express can have an impact on the number of rebreathers in this area, what's to stop it from spreading to most areas? Furthermore, with dive boats now starting to realize that rebreather divers aren't any different to take out than normal divers, how long before the plague spreads? And how long will that take? If ever?
I'm curious to hear your opinions!