Delta P Universal Rebreather Monitor - A thing of beauty February 4, 2007
Posted by onthetrain in : Scuba Diving , 2commentsThis weekend I struck lucky.
I got to try out the new rebreather monitor and heads up display from Delta P, makers of the VR3 dive computer and Ourobouros closed curcuit rebreather. I believe I am the first diver in the world to dive the latest upgrade on this prototype unit complete with the latest version of the VR3 2007 software.
In recent years it has become more and more the norm for CCR divers to use a head up display allowing constant monitoring of PPo2 without having to be constantly gazing at handsets. Several units already do this, so what is different about this one?
Well for a start it can fit a number of units, secondly and more importantly for me it integrates with the VR3 and integrates some excellent new software on the VR3. The monitor connects the VR3 to the 4th cell via a standard fischer connector, but it also connects to the 1st stage regulators giving a constantly updated readout of the cylinder pressures.. The monitor unit then slots neatly beneath the stack.
On booting up the VR3 you will see a read out of your cylinder pressures as well as a measure of the Po2. Once in dive mode the default screen shows the information you are used to on a closed circuit read out, as well as a read out of cylinder pressures.
The HUD connects to the breathing loop and is mounted by a small clip, this is adjustable and gives you the choice to mount the display in a position that suits you. The monitor I used had a single LED which glowed a reassuring steady green when the unit was on set point. If the setpoint deviates by 0.2 the LED starts to flash fast for above set point, slow for below set point. There is also a red LED which illuminates when you enter compulsory decompression. Whilst I did not get near Deco on todays dive I believe this flashes red when you enter deco and goes solid red when you reach your stop depths, it then starts to flash again once its time to move to your next stop. Obviously the red light goes out when you clear all your stops. This obviously means that it is possible to manage all your stops on the HUD if your hands are full of scollops or brass 
I understand that there will be a version with 3 leds for the KISS.
I thought that this was a superb bit of kit. It certainly enhanced my diving on my classic and I will definitly buy one when they come onthe market. Not 100% sure when this will happen. I understand that the manual is close to complete so hopefully it will be available soon.
Inspiration Mod 1 - The worlds longest rebreather course. January 28, 2007
Posted by onthetrain in : Scuba Diving , 4commentsDuring the past couple of years I have been gradually extending my diving depths, completing IANTD Normoxic Trimix and full trimix courses. As someone who researches things thoroughly and is confident with his skill set I had taken these courses pretty much in my stride.
I had done a lot of twinset diving in the 45 metre range and was comfortable and confident so the transition to helium based mixes was fairly painless.
As the year went on I came to the realisation that the gas logistics involved in deeper diving was a pain and I started to toy with the idea of buying a Closed Circuit Rebreather. After all I had not bought any expensive dive equipment for months and my wife was beginning to get a little complacent. (more…)
SS Kyarra - Tuesday 18th April 2006 May 7, 2006
Posted by onthetrain in : Scuba Diving , 2commentsIt’s Tuesday morning and as I ride my motorcycle to work I can’t help but smile. The sun is shining, there is a very gentle Southwesterly breeze and though it’s been stressful at work recently I know that in a few short hours I’ll be able to off load my woes and relax with a dive on the SS Kyarra. On days like this I never fail to give thanks for the fact that I live on the doorstep of some of the UK’s best diving. Living in Poole gives me the opportunity to explore a huge tranch of our underwater heritage in a swath of water stretching from the Isle of Wight in the East to the Isle of Portland in the West, all this without having to drive more than 10 minutes to Poole Quay. I take full advantage of this situation by being a member of no less than four dive clubs. This means I can choose my dives and get out at least a couple of evening’s midweek and at the weekend too. (more…)
I Do like to be beside the sea :-) April 7, 2006
Posted by onthetrain in : Scuba Diving , add a commentWell, it took a while, but the club diving season finally got off the ground tonight.
To be honest when I checked out the forcast this lunchtime I would have bet good money that tonights dive would be binned. In the event we decided to meet at the boat and see how it looked. At 4PM we had strong winds and hails tones like golf balls I still didnt think we would get out. I decided to take a chance and put my kit together anyway.
At about 5PM, the clouds broke, the wind dropped and by 6.05 we were on our way out the Betsy Anna in Poole bay.
This season one of my clubs (I’m a mamber of 4!!) is doing a lot of it’s diving of Richard Styles New boat ‘Sha King’. It’s big, its modern, its very fst and it has a lift It looks a lot like this
With 12 Divers onboard it was a bit crowded, especially as almost everyone had decided to bring their twin set’s (for a 25M dive). It was easy to tell it was the first dive of the season as there was kit everywhere, what a mess. We eventually got sorted and at 7.30 were dropping into the cold silty water.
Skipper Richard had shotted the boiler so My buddy Hoj and I turned towards the bow and had a very slow and leisurley bimble around. Vis was only 2 metres, but it was pleasant enough when you avoided the other divers :-) There was a surprising amount of life about and amazingly quite a few fish fry in the 8 degree water. We spotted a few nice crabs and Lobbies. I’m not above taking a lobster for the pot, but tend to leave them alone at this time of year. We had anticipated just doing a 20 minute bimble, but in the event stayed for 35 minutes before bagging off and surfacing at 42 minutes. Whilst in the water the wind and tide had got up a fair bit, making getting back onboard entertaining, even with a lift. I’m bloody glad I didnt have to climb a ladder.
The run back was very entertaining in a deteriorating sea. I love watching other divers throwing up
So we are up and running, my 19th dive of the year, but my first of the 2006 club season.
Bring it on. Next dive Tuesday
Just two weeks to BENDY TIME— Are you Scuba wise? March 30, 2006
Posted by onthetrain in : Scuba Diving , add a commentThis time last year it was Easter. We all went off diving and when we came home we made noises through our teeth about the number of incidents that happened over the weekend. Helicopters scrambled, Chambers full of divers, fast ascents and unfortunately Easter weekend lead to the first of 17 UK diving fatalities in 2005.
We all love easter don’t we. It’s the traditional start of the season in the UK. A time when we dust off the kit thats been lying in the garage all winter. We blow the cobwebs out of our regs, shake the mice from the toes of our drysuits and head off for the first dives of the year. When you think about it, we could hardly do any worse than Easter.
Many of haven’t dived for months, and of course as we are old sweats there is no point getting down the pool is there? Thats for Novices. It’s like falling off a bike, 5 minutes in the water and it’ll be like I’ve never been away. Oh and of course I’m happy to take that novice in. I’ve been here before I know it will be cold, I’ll stick an extra layer under my suit. Now exactly how much lead was I carrying last year. Those huge spring tides are no bother to an experienced diver like me are they? We’ve had some pretty strong easterlies lately, but I’ll be reet with my shiny new torch, oh & I cant wait to try out that new wing/suit/undersuit/regs, etc etc
Sound familiar? Thought so! If you haven’t been in the water for a while, be SCUBA wise. The BSAC provide 10 top tips for the new season.
Personal Preparation
Get Dive Fit
Prepare for the new season by doing some refresher training in the pool. Also, do some shallow warm-up dives when you do get in the sea.
Update your skills
Revisit some of your original training to ensure that key skills such as mask clearing and buoyancy control are still automatic responses, and you are comfortable doing them in the pool and open water.
Practice
It is clear from past experience that when skills are not practised regularly then they deteriorate. Skills should be practised regularly (even continually) to ensure that when required,they are automatic.
Equipment Preparation
Have your Equipment serviced
The winter layoff for many divers is the ideal time to have your equipment properly serviced. Check it out for proper function, in the pool or shallow open water, before committing to a full dive.
Training with New Equipment
Before using new equipment for the first time practice with it in the pool and shallow water before using it on that deep wreck!
Carry Surface Location Aids
Carry Delayed surface marker buoys, flags, strobes, air horns, personal flares, EPIRBS etc. and ensure you know how to use them
Safeguard your Equipment
Diving equipment is expensive and there is a growing trend in the theft of substantial amounts of equipment from popular dive sites. Safeguard against a major loss by insuring your equipment.
Boat Preparation
Servicing
As with personal equipment, winter is the ideal time to get the boat and engine properly serviced. Ensure it is done by a reputable dealer and service agent.
Boat Checks
Before loading the boat for the first trip of the season, carry out some checks of the boat and engine to ensure that everything functions properly, as well as ensuring you have sufficient fuel before setting off.
Use of the Emergency Services
Make sure you are familiar with the means of contacting the emergency services and inform the Coastguard of your plans and remember to report your return to shore to them as well!
Make sure you are familiar with the means of contacting the emergency services and inform the Coastguard of your plans and remember to report your return to shore to them as well!
Lastly, make sure your o2 is in service and full, that your radio and navigation equipment are working correctly.
Dive safely, have fun. Alan
A copy of the BSAC Divesafe pack can be downloaded for free from here
