I don't think this is very good advice. If you have gone off the loop due to a undisclosed problem such as possible hypercapnia, unknown PO2 you would be foolish to go back on a suspect loop. I can not think of any circumstances where a loop problem resolves itself and no circumstance where I would go back on a (potentially) defective breathing loop.
You are taught in MOD1, "when in doubt bailout". You should always carry enough bailout gas to get home at any point during the dive and there is NO need to go back on a suspect loop, especially if, as you indicated you got off to "clear your head". What possible malfunction could cause you to not have a clear head and how do you perceive it could be fixed in the water?
Hi Dave,
You are correct, when in doubt go OC and stay of the loop. I am talking about problems such as overbreathing your loop which can happen, possibly a stuck solenoid. (not likely to happen on an MCCR) PO2 spike etc. Questionable readings on sensors. By sanity breath I mean going to a known gas with a PO2 of 1.0 for the deepest part of your dive to clear your head and evaluate your situation.
If you have evaluated your situation and have verified and solved the problem the dive should still be called but depending on the circumstance you would not necessarily have to stay off the loop.
I will go back and clarify my post thanks for the nudge.