Innovations in Rebreather Design Translated
What’s in it for You and Me?
Our Agenda…
Rebreathers aren’t new But they represent only a small sector of
market New units are easier to operate, simpler
training aimed at non-tech divers Two-sided coin
More features, greater benefits, but confusion If there’s a CCR in your future, ask these
questions
Steve Lewis
Conflict of interest… Dive and Teach on CCRs! Work as a consultant for CCR manufacturer
But… a big part of that job is about safety, increasing general understanding, and helping consumers make sense-driven decisions about CCRs
Rebreathers Are Not New…
Rebreathers pre-date open-circuit scuba Concept dates from
17th Century! Not traditionally
associated with recreational diving… Military Research Technical
But consumers think they are!
Several rebreather manufacturers have launched “simplified” units
PADI (and others) have sanctioned training programs for these “recreational” units
Mainstream dive press (traditional and electronic) accepting CCR and SCR “tinted” articles and features
Questions about training/buying more common
Who’s Buying and Why?
$10,000 Price Tag $1,500 Training Avid divers with
disposable income Harley / Porsche /
Breitling Syndrome
The Rebreather Market compared to OC Market
Let’s get some Perspective
The Real Market… 2010
Other Certs94%
Rebreathers6%
Based on Tech Agency Certs
* There were thought to be less than 15,000 active CCR divers in January 2012
The Challenge is Reducing Cost
Cheaper Manufacturing Whoops…
Rental units in Resorts Erosion of skills…
“Time-Share” club ownership Has promise
Win The Lottery
Ratio of Rebreather to OC… 2015
* Projections are for 50,000 NEW rebreather certs by year-end 2015
80%
20%
All Certs All Agencies
Open-Circuit SCR/CCR
Blue-Sky Projections… 2015
Sport Certs87%
Tech Divers13%
CCR Certs Recreational/Tech
No such thing as idiot-proof CCR
Rebreathers ARE complex
Rebreathers ARE reliable
Human Error cannot be completely designed out
Attention to checklists help
But complacency KILLS
The Potential for Problems…
Making training “more assessable” means cutting stuff out Seven-day program Three-day program
Both options valid but…
Outcome cannot be same!
It’s not all Doom and Gloom… Excellent design Useful innovations QA very tight Growing
awareness RESA and others…
Fewer than 20 questions that could save your bacon
The Questions to ask…
First Four Questions
Is the CCR you are considering CE approved?
Does the CCR you’re looking at have over-the-shoulder (front) or rear-mounted counterlung design?
What type of oxygen injection system is used?
Is there a backup power source, and is switching intelligent?
Next Five Questions
Does the unit have independent dual O2 controllers?
Will it maintain constant PO2 during ascent?
Does it have a CO2 scrubber performance monitor?
Does it have a CO2 sensor? Does it have heads-up-display (HUD) and
what information does it show to the user?
Three More…
Does it have real-time Nitrox / Trimix Computer designed and manufactured by the same people who built the CCR?
Does it have automatic depth setpoint switching, and can that auto-function be overridden simply?
Does it have audible and visual alarms for crucial issues such as low or high PO2, high CO2, and scrubber life?
Last Batch
Are parts and service available worldwide?
How much service is required and how often?
Can it be upgraded for technical trimix diving?
Does it have laptop interface and dive log download; and can this be used for remote diagnostics by factory techs?
Asking these will keep you in line…
For you to ask right now…
QUESTIONS
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