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I don't want to unneccesarily break into you guy's discussion of Draeger, but I thought I'd throw in a couple of observations: 1) The BioMarine design (on the Mark 16 center section, which is in the 155 and the Mark 16) for the scrubber cannister does not use any springs for compressing the sofnolime. It uses 2 hydrophobic filters, and a foam filter to keep the scrubber medium compacted. I can't see why the Krauts would come up with a spring arrangement. Sounds like a stroke invented it. 2) I've been using the 812 mesh scrubber sold by O.C. Lugo. I noticed something that maybe you others rebreather dudes have already noted, but I'll mention it anyway: After a dive, especially on a bouncing boat, and in a bouncing car going down the freeway on the ride home, the scrubber medium has a tendency to "settle" - much like your box of cornflakes does in transit to the supermarket. That's why I think Leon's advice to check the scrubber before each dive is a good one. I check mine each time, and often, have to add just a little bit more material to fully fill the cannister, due to settlement. When I fill with fresh scrubber material, I shake the cannister, and tamp it on a flat table, to try and get it settled as much as possible before I seal it. 3) The BioMarine unit uses 2 large Viton "O" rings to seal the cannister in the center section, then a third large O ring to seal the center section cover. I have done many "dip" tests with my rig, and never noticed any leak coming from this area. The one question that I HAVE had is in the sealing of the top of the cannister. The large round nut that Mike mentioned does seem to work well, but there is no seal around the edges of the cannister top. Since this thing was pretty much tested out by BioMarine and the Navy, I'm not very concerned, but it does seem like a place that is begging for an O ring... 4) Any cannister or center section design that is subject to distortion under pressure is going to eventually result in someone having problems. The center section of any rebreather is critical to its life support function, and any design that is subject to distortion is stupid, unsafe, and damn well un-American. I should qualify this post by saying that I know shit about Draeger - so I am not commenting on any of their products from personal experience. I am only commenting generally on what seems to be the best or worst way to design a rebreather. With that said, I shall retire to my brandy and cigar... Kevin HeyyDude P.S. Mike, how is the new on/off switch working? Dick is now working on mine. He told me that due to a mistake on his part in the wiring, if you flip yours on and off too many times, your unit will explode - has that happened yet? Whatever happens to you when you enter the water is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY Rich Pyle's Fault. If you get hurt, have your family lawyer call him immediately for a big cash settlement.
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