More info on Dave Shaw's Rebreather?

[charlesml3]

Hi gang,

Does anyone have more info on the "rare 15.5 rebreather" Dave Shaw was using? This is purely for my own curiosity. I was wondering what made it so rare.

Thanks!

Charles

 

[Mr.X]

Hi gang,

Does anyone have more info on the "rare 15.5 rebreather" Dave Shaw was using? This is purely for my own curiosity. I was wondering what made it so rare.

Thanks!

Charles

It's not that rare. However, you don't typically see anyone using MK's because parts and maintenance are issues and no one produces them anymore. Sometimes they do come up on Ebay. They are a version of various GE/Carleton/Rexnord/Biomarine designs from the 70's.

The Mk 15.5 uses plumbed hardware vs. an MK 15 which used traditional hoses. If check http://www.nobubblediving.com/teardown.htm you'll see Dave Sutton's teardowns of various rebreathers.

X

 

[daniel f aleman]

The Biomarine 15.5 was a prototype rebreather designed to replace the US Navy's Mark 15 - designed in the 1970's.

MK15 Manual

The History of BioMarine

 

[caveseeker7]

Some more links for ya, some pages mayy load slow due to lots of images:
BioMarine and Carleton MK15, MK16 and MK15.5 Closed-Circuit Rebreathers and Variants
15 vs 15.5 compared
Biomarine MK15 Teardown
Innerspace Porpoise Pack 1 (MK15 from Innerspace)
Steam Machines SM1600 (MK15.5 from Steam Machines)

 

[caveseeker7]

Almost forgot, Dave Shaw's Mk15.5 was equiped with Hammerhead electronics.

 

[Mr.X]

Almost forgot, Dave Shaw's Mk15.5 was equiped with Hammerhead electronics.

Interesting to see the updated Hammerhead site. I recently saw the latest iteration of the handsets. Very nice looking. Far trimmer than the metal version.

Shaw's classic polycarbonate handsets were loaded with mineral oil, or liquid paraffin as I remember.

On an off note - I just wonder what the intention was on Shaw's side? Why not just send an ROV down there for the body recovery? This glory to be deep, or do something special underwater comes with way too many risks. He seemed like a nice guy, but at the same time driven to do something with very little payoff.

X

 

[charlesml3]

Wow, thanks gang. I spent a lot of time reading about that and looking at photos.

-Charles

 

[DiveTub]

Here is a photo of a Mk16 for you, a very sick one at that... Poor Kevin, only took hiim 4 hours to get it back in the water.

Regards
Chris