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