> Now I see. It is all so clear. This 'more complex to operate' piece of 
> gear (albeit more capable) is a "safety advantage" to the average 
> sport diver. Right. I got it now, thanks for setting me straight.

I think we're all pretty clear on the fact that rebreathers have big 
advantages and certain costs.  The real question is: "To whom do the 
advantages outweigh the costs?"  We're having a real problem defining 
"recreational diver", but what NONE of us REALLY knows is how large the 
segment of non-military, non-comemrcial divers is for whom the benefits 
outweigh the costs.  Time will probably tell, if rebreather 
manufactuerers start making these things available to civilian folks.  
Yes, a few people are gonna die.  However, with the growing number of 
eyes and ears out there that are exposed to the preachings of Farb, and 
McKenney, and the Dude, and the other knowledgeble folks out there, the 
fewer the number of deaths there are likely to be.

> I guess it is a matter of semantics. I choose to view CCR gear as having 
> different capabilities and its own set of problems and operational 
> constraints, but that does not make it safer than open circuit gear. That 
> was all I told Heseltin.

It's safer is some senses, and less safe in other.  I think you're both 
right.

> Being stuck in a wreck has nothing to do with the gear you are wearing, but 
> I see what you're trying to say. I guess there are more people out there 
> running out of gas and getting stuck than I imagined. 

The question is, why *are* people dying?  I think running out of gas is 
possibly one of the big ones, and I think Kevin is right that the 
rebreathers have the *potential* to allow much greater margins for error 
on that particular problem.  The question is, do the new problems 
associated with rebreathers (but not with OC) overshadow the safety 
advantages?  I think the answer depends on the diver, and like I said, I 
don't think anyone really has a good answer to predict what will 
actually happen.

Aloha,
Rich

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