On Thursday 7th February, Lindsey Doyle arranged a rebreather try-dive for existing divers at our club. Sixteen divers enjoyed the new experience, helped along by several instructors from our own branch who already dive with a rebreather, led by the British Sub Aqua Club Eastern Region Technical Advisor. The Harbour Lights Dive Club kindly let us use their one hour slot and they used the flexi-pool.
Info for new divers
Members of Dacorum Sub Aqua Club (DSAC) experienced a new sensation when they tried out rebreathers. Most divers use SCUBA gear with a cylinder containing compressed breathing gas, this breathing system is also known as Open Circuit but it causes bubbles when the diver exhales. A rebreather is Closed Circuit and the exhaled breathing gas is 'cleansed' (scrubbed to remove the poisonous waste gas carbon dioxide produced in our cells). This allows the diver to get closer to marine life as well as breathing warmer air. Also the diver is less likely to experience a dry mouth or throat.
Info for existing divers
It must be remembered that diving a closed circuit rebreather is going back to basics, it is like learning to dive all over again! Buoyancy has to practised.
Two major benefits
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Extended gas duration
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Reduced decompression penalty
Other benefits
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No bubbles
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Breathing warmer air
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No dry throat
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Dive can last for longer as gas is rebreathed, safer 'amount' of oxygen + nitrogen calculated by the computer/controller
Photographs taken by Graeme Smith
