Non-standard unit training options

kwinter said:
But to pick up on what John wrote, it isn't about any manufacturer certification. It might be about getting on a boat. Or diving a quarry. Or doing something else that requires permission.

I am officially trained on 3 rebreathers. I really don't see the need for more training as long as what I build or buy is similar enough. But I would go through scenarios slowly along with a friend to keep an eye on things. Basically doing my own training course. I really don't think Tom Mount has ever done a course.


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You can dive off most boats and in most inland sites in the UK without showing any qualification. They don't want to know, i think theres a good reason for that:sarcy:
 
Mark Chase said:
Cool if you can afford it

If not a Inspo Classic with a HUD and a BOV fitted makes a good cheep unit

No one will ever convince me adding a HUD and a BOV doesn't make the Classic safer and better

ATB

Mark
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I think even AP would agree with you since they later came out with a HUD and a BOV. TDI's stance is the modification has to be approved by the manufacturer so depending on which brand of BOV/OCB you could probably do a course on a classic with a HUD and BOV attached.

The hard part is finding out which mods are approved. Some rebreathers don't even ship with BP/Wing or 1st stages so I think it is safe to assume that you can choose your own on those specific units.
 
So what happens when a new manufacturer comes onto the market. The process has to start someplace else you have a catch-22. Who would buy a unit that you can't get a certification for, and how does an agency certify for a unit that has no user base?
 
After 25 years of UK diving, Ish-20 on rebreathers, I have yet to be asked for anything other than a credit card and I dive the dodgiest looking KISS converted Azimuth you could imagine (known localy as the AZBO) But getting that basic training on a stock unit isn't about getting through the door in sharm, it's about SURVIVAL. You just don't know what you don't know and even the most experienced diver will come away with something from the most humble of courses, possibly something life saving. I have an Inspo/hammerhead sat on my bench right now and it's been there a long time, but it's staying dry until I've finished my basic Inspo course and done enough time on the stock unit to properly get to grips with electronic controls which have thus far, managed to make me feel like a complete novice all over again.
The more I learn, the more I have yet to learn.
You might also want to think about spares and servicability. AP and I imagine, other manufacturers won't sell major spares to unregistered (untrained) owners, so that bargain customised unit may not be such a bargain if you can't get a replacement for that non oscilating swivel gromet that you just watched plop over the side.
If you really insist on going for a non standard unit streight off the bat, only ever change one thing at a time and I'll see you at eastern kings some time. I'll be guy with the only RB that makes an Inspo look small and the purple face.

be safe
Pockets
 
Now that is something I've got to see!! We used to be at kings all the time - can't bloody park there now!!

Cheers.
 
pockets said:
After 25 years of UK diving, Ish-20 on rebreathers, I have yet to be asked for anything other than a credit card and I dive the dodgiest looking KISS converted Azimuth you could imagine (known localy as the AZBO) But getting that basic training on a stock unit isn't about getting through the door in sharm, it's about SURVIVAL. You just don't know what you don't know and even the most experienced diver will come away with something from the most humble of courses, possibly something life saving. I have an Inspo/hammerhead sat on my bench right now and it's been there a long time, but it's staying dry until I've finished my basic Inspo course and done enough time on the stock unit to properly get to grips with electronic controls which have thus far, managed to make me feel like a complete novice all over again.
The more I learn, the more I have yet to learn.
You might also want to think about spares and servicability. AP and I imagine, other manufacturers won't sell major spares to unregistered (untrained) owners, so that bargain customised unit may not be such a bargain if you can't get a replacement for that non oscilating swivel gromet that you just watched plop over the side.
If you really insist on going for a non standard unit streight off the bat, only ever change one thing at a time and I'll see you at eastern kings some time. I'll be guy with the only RB that makes an Inspo look small and the purple face.

be safe
Pockets
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Well put. If you want support you are also going to need to show proof of training. Chances are what you want out of a unit by modifying it exists somewhere out there. Plus there are some companies that will gladly let you put a 3rd party computer on or a 4th cell or a leaky valve or most of the major modifications. Pick one of these rebreathers and then let the factory help you customize it to your liking.
 
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I am looking to be trained and certified on this my new fav rig. :hehehm:

Peter
 

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What about...

tp2000.jpg
 
PeterN said:
Hey, mine works! Mine is a Fenzy PO 68 that I got from a very nice chap over on burger world. It scares my friends though. Not much chance for any traing though.

Peter
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Works? So does the TP2000, by all accounts. My intention is to build one around the DSV left over from my OCB upgrade. Which would make it a modified Inspiration Classic, yes?
 
Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thornton View Post
Chances are what you want out of a unit by modifying it exists somewhere out there.


So people should sell their unit and buy a whole new one just to add minor functionality that their older one didn't have? (And do another course, cross-over and generally have their pockets emptied for nothing?)

At present the market only supports New buyers, if you have a qualification and experience and want to buy another unit you get spit-roasted by agency and instructors, even worse if you use your experience to enhance a product (modify it) suddenly you are an untouchable.

I don't really care about qualification as an OC Trimix card and a Mod1 KISS cert gets all the gas I need but I suspect my insurance isn't worth the paper its written on when I dive CCR as its non-standard.

I find it rather offensive, when I started diving the ladder had big but few rungs, I was lucky to scale some of it early one but now these agencies (who's source of authority I don't clearly understand) have "filled in the gaps", they've separated all the rebreathers, taken Mod 1, 2 and 3 and added 4 and 5 and Cave and Expedition, essentially everything you could do before is now more courses away than when many people started. Because of these arbitrary certifications appearing insurers now require them, despite non of it being compulsory or required. You can walk into a dive shop, drop your CC and walk out tooled up and jump in a puddle, no one can stop you, (or even tries) unless you want insurance.

I just did the man maths, from where I was qualified to when I qualified I was approx £800 worth of training from the top rung, at todays prices, with all the additional nonsense its now about £3500 away (the cost of 2 rebreathers!)

Perhaps I should start and agency and invent a nonsense certification everyone needs and charge £5000 for it, the insurers will require it and you'll all owe me :-) Who's up for "Sofnolime Handling Competence Certification" or "Rebreather Oxygen Sensor Installation Certification" or "Mod 0.5, Pre-rebreather Forum Ranting qualification"?
You are all in breach of CE, Insurance and your current certs until you enrich me, as the sole source of these certifications I alone can certify future instructors, the cost of instructor qualification is £1million.


Frankly its no wonder people brew trimix in their garage, dive without insurance and training, the hobby has priced all but millionaires out of participation.


Oh, FWIW- The unit I want does not exist on the market- CE certified MCCR with traditional tube design for multiple tank options, BMCL, fully plastic non structural loop construction with separate metallic chassis and Shearwater hardwired electronics. I feel far safer on a home brew that meets my requirements than a off-the-shelf but flawed unit that is somehow "better" because you can get a certification on it.

Anyone else feel all the fun gets sucked out of things once people start charging to learn how to do it?
(Perhaps some people won't understand that but in the UK you can learn to dive largely for free (as I did at University) with the BSAC, down to 50mtr Air OC cert I didn't pay a penny for instruction, people taught for the love of the hobby and to improve their own diving and size of their club.)

PS- Edit Post isn't working properly...
 
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And don't forget to swallow the excess air as you ascend. No bubbles.

Damn, I'm now starting to look at my spares tub and the spare motorbike tube in the shed and seriously consider the TP2000 or a variation thereof for the super shallow bimbles at the local jetty... O2 in a drysuit's fine isn't it?
 
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