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Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 07:14:39 -0400
From: Wrolf Courtney <wrolf@co*.ne*>
To: Frank Sonnemans <fsmlist@ib*.ne*>
CC: ChrisTyler <ctyler@bi*.co*>, techdiver <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Subject: Re: One more diver dies using the Buddy Inspiration rebreather
> Frank Sonnemans wrote:
> 
> The following comes from the July issue of the UK dive magazine Dive
> International:
....
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> The same magazine reviewed the Inspiration rebreather, a close circuit
> system with active, computer controlled Oxygen addition. Three out of
> seven units failed with water in the electronics at the start of a
> training session in Egypt. The units were used for 4, 150 and 300
> hours respectively and only had the flight to Egypt in common.
> 
> The article reported that 120 inspiration rebreathers have been sold
> and that 250 people completed training.
> 
> The rebreather contains two 3 liter cylinders, diluent and oxygen. The
> system is controlled by 2 computers and was tested by the Royal Navy
> and has CE approval.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> It would be interesting to know if Paul Haydon died because of an
> equipment failure or user error. Unfortunately I have no contacts in
> the UK who could find out.
> 
> One of my concerns with this rebreather (other than problems with the
> oxygen percentages) is the size of the cylinders, which do not contain
> enough air for a safe open circuit bailout from a deep decompression
> dive.

Thanks for the information.  This was very helpful - the number of units
was an open question for me, and the lack of an effective open circuit
bailout option was a complete surprise.

The Royal Navy testing, and the portrayal of it by the manufacturer,
apparently has the Commander in charge of that unit hopping mad.

I do not have a date for the Coroner's report, but I expect to get it
soon after it is released.

It is clear to me that this unit may be a widow maker.

-- 
Wrolf

Wrolf's Wreck: http://www.concentric.net/~Wrolf
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