How Soon Before Everyone is Using a Rebreather?

[SFLDiver3445]

That should make it much more universally acceptable - I know it would for me. What's the cost per cartridge?

Pardon my ignorance but do people regularly fly with rebreathers? With their air tanks? Are they tough enough to take the abuse or do they go in fitted Pelican cases?

The cartridges run approximately $30 each, but if you have to pay for shipping, it may be a bit more.

As far as travel, yes, you can travel with your rebreather and its tanks. Depending on the unit you have, it can be broken down and fit in a carryon. The TSA has regulations about traveling with cylinders and there have been some people who have had problems, but theoretically, as long as the valves are off, it is officially acceptable. Many people that check them it with their luggage, go the extra mile and place the units manual and a copy of the TSA's rules and regs directly to the unit and in their luggage. However, keep in mind that the cylinders can be rented at many locations and even those numbers are growing. Locally here in Pompano Beach, Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale) will rent you all types of cylinders so you do not have to travel with them. Another example, I'm thinking about going to Cayman and Divetech (Grand Cayman scuba diving cayman island scuba diving cayman island scuba resort cayman scuba training cayman cayman island scuba grand cayman scuba dive cayman islands scuba diving scuba diving in grand cayman scuba diving cayman scuba diving on gran) rents all kinds of cylinders, and even rents rebreathers. Again, these examples are few and far between, but the numbers are growing.

 

[SteveC]

I’m sure someday they will take over, but probably not for a long time. Price and safety are the main reasons. On my recent trip to Mexico, I noticed that all the rental bc’s on the dives boats were still not even weight integrated, so re-breathers have a way to go before they are common place.

 

[Richesb]

Never was, never will be an option!!!!

Spearfishing on a rebreather is ILLEGAL in the state of Florida.

 

[almitywife]

"How Soon Before Everyone is Using a Rebreather"

i will answer never as i cant imagine "everyone" using a unit, especially when you consider the vintage OC gear is still coveted by so many divers

cheers

 

[diver 85]

about a couple hundred years...........or more(btw, only read your question, nothing more, trying to watch the BCS selection show)........GEAUX TIGERS.........

 

[Nailer99]

I know lots of people won't agree with this statement, but:

In my opinion, Closed Circuit rebreathers will be used by the majority of people doing what we loosely refer to as "tech diving" within 10 years. There are more and more of them out there every year, and the advantages of diving them, especially on deeper and longer dives, cannot be ignored. Even steadfast anti- CCR groups are starting to take another look at them- the next GUE conference in Europe is going to be debating their use again. More and more people are using them at the recreational level as well- especially photographers.

 

[Footslogger]

I'm curious to hear your opinions!

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Given the changes in the dive industry I've seen over the past 30 years ...and the relative rate of change thereof I would say that it will be another decade (at least) before rebreathers become mainstream and commonly in use by the average recreational diver. There's just too much money invested (on the part of the dive equipment manufacturers) in the compressed air SCUBA market.

At least that's what I believe ...

 

[NEDU]

I have been on a few dives w/ rebreather divers and I cannot picture people moving directly into CCR or SCR. I understand there was a "fully automatic" eCCR model on display at DEMA that has been built specifically for the recreational diver. I think that is dangerous. I just think you need a much higher level understanding of the fundamentals of diving, the physiological impacts of diving CCR (e.g. hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypercapnia, etc.), and fundamental diving skills to move quickly into CCR. Letting people fly these things on autopilot forfeits the need to attain these fundamentals and put people at risk.

I couldn't agree more. Saw a couple of new rigs at DEMA and while I love a rebreather for a number of missions, I think there is going to be a spike in accidents/injuries/deaths from the casual divers who want to throw a CCR in the closet with their SCUBA kit and just haul it out right before a dive a couple of times a year. I think the progression to CCR is inevitable, however, as they become cheaper and the word gets out more and more about the things you can accomplish on one. I only hope the training can keep pace with the growth of the use.

 

[Dirkadiver]

I'm going to ease into a CCR in a couple years, but want any & all OC dives to become second nature before I make the transition and being that I've completed deco & advanced nitrox & am currently working on normoxic trimix, I'm guessing I've got 2-5 years before I make that leap.

As far as the rest of the diving community, I can't speak for them, but I can't see CCR's becoming the norm. I think the maintenance & complexity of the units alone are enough to push people away from them. OC is easy & convenient, something our society thrives on. Also, I think the "vacation divers" out number "hard core" divers which would have to reverse before CCR's would take over, IMO.

Again, only expressing my opinion here, but cost, in my mind is not a factor and I'll explain... From a technical diver's standpoint, you're looking at around $100 to fill a set of tanks... a set of doubles, a deco tank & travel tank. Depending on which rebreather you look at, it will pay for itself after 100 dives or so. That's not factoring in the cost of OC gear costs that won't be necessary w/ a rebreather. Yeah, it's a lot to shell out at once, but long term, I would think the RB would pay for itself many times over.

I dive w/ a RB diver regularly & it floors me that on a dive that I use 200 cu. ft. of gas, he uses 3 cu. ft., It definitely sparks an interest.

 

[H2Andy]

I think the prograssion to CCR is inevitable, however, as they become cheaper and the word gets out more and more about the things you can accomplish on one. I only hope the training can keep pace with the growth of the use.

yeah, basically

but because of their relative difficulty of use and relative danger, i am having a hard time imagining the standard rig in the recreational dive industry will switch from scuba to rebreathers

theyre a growing niche makert, but that's about it

and that's not even taking cost into account. how soon do you think it will be before a rebreather costs the same as a set of regulators?