For me, getting into underwater photography really persuade me to using a R/B. I got certified on the Dolphin back in 2004, and dove it for a while. Didn't like the hassle of breaking it down, all the checks before diving etc, and went back to O/C , as there are pros and cons for both.
Then getting into taking UW photos recently, and buying a very nice DSLR set up, I really started to enjoy taking pictures, and showing them to friends and family, and seeing everyones responses to them, some coming out so beautiful, I said to myself I took that?
Then I got back into the water recently with the Dolphin again, last weekend matter of fact, and realized how much I REALLY missed not having those bubbles in my face, and realized how much MORE interaction you really have with the fish. Last weekend the fish were swimming right up to my mask, staring in through the glass, looking at me like I was part of them.
I got outta of the water, sold the Dolphin right away, in hopes to save up to go CCR.
Just so happened someone local was selling a Sport Kiss mCCR locally, that i was very happy buying from, and decided to do it now, rather then later.
I only plan on diving within recreational limits, and for me, it was a big concern to have the risk taken of diving a CCR re-breather, for recreational limits. Then I said to my self, their are a few, like a Co2 hit, which i have to worry about, because its one of those things that just cant be monitored, and the other risk that are involved.
But then when you think of how many people are diving these units today, and diving them safely everyday, and enjoying them, I really don't see it any more risk then O/C, or diving for that matter. I get on dive boats today, and I see people putting on the 1st stage back wards, etc, and I say to myself, and I'm diving with them??
I got into it with confidence that my skills today are comfortable enough to learn, and to use a mCCR unit , and grow with it diving. Would I have done it years ago, probably not, i was just getting into them , and using the Dolphin as a stepping stone. A few years later, and I feel comfortable with my skills, that I will be OK diving the unit, and understand what can happen if I don't follow the rules of diving CCR.
I think for me it will be a very positive experience, and hoping for great results and benefits of diving a RB.
No more lugging around big heavy tanks, no more bubbles constantly in my face, and they are LOUD, no more scaring the fish away setting up for my next shot, and the list goes on.
If it doesn't work out for me, then I know I haver went the furthest I could have gone, and I'll go back to O/C and stay there, and dive it at least knowing I have gave the " Darker Side " a chance