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For anyone interested in how a Halcyon SCR performs in the Great Lakes
environment, read on.
My Halcyon was purchased in March of this year and training done in
Florida. After returning to Michigan many dives were done in an Ohio quarry
down to depths of 130ffw to further train on the unit. As my plans for the
Halcyon were for deep, mixed gas diving, training was done with dual
46cu.ft. bottles and stages. The Halcyon plus the dual manifolded 46cu.ft. OMS
tanks brings the weight of the package to just a few pounds more than my set
of dual Pressed steel 104's.
During this quarry diving period one problem with the unit was
experienced. After diving the Halcyon on the weekend I cleaned the unit, after
cleaning I performed a "pressure/vacuum" test. The unit failed the pressure
test. A call to the factory confirmed my diagnosis and I was instructed on how
to remedy the malfunctioning counterlung exhaust valve. This took about 15
minutes. I understand this valve has since been redesigned and my unit will be
upgraded when I send it back for service.
Over the course of the summer I made 13 wreck dives using the
Halcyon in Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Depths ranged from 120 to 250ffw.
Water temperature on the bottom is around 42 degrees. All dives were made on
Trimix with decompression on 50% Eanx and/or 100% O2.
The only other problems with the operation of the Halcyon that were
experienced were that on the last two dives the one depth compensator did not
completely return to the normal position after ascent. The depth compensators
(there are two of them) are connected by a piece of stainless steel wire to
the inner counterlung. As you descend these pull the inner counterlung and
make it smaller, this results in less gas being dumped overboard. As you
ascend these are supposed to return to normal position.
Overall I'm very happy with my Halcyon. I find it to be an excellent
tool for exploring the deep wrecks of the Great Lakes area, keeping me warmer
than OC, saving on gas and safely extending my range.
What does the Halcyon demand from me? Obviously since it is a
rebreather, respect for the additional ways it can kill you over and above OC.
Operationally, predive I run through a checklist which takes a few minutes.
During the dive I listen to the sounds of it dumping and adding gas, pay
attention to how it is breathing, pump out the water trap couple times. I must
be aware of any symptoms of hyperoxia, hypoxia, hypercapnia (although the
design of the Halcyon reduces the chances of these problems). After the dive,
unless I'm diving it the next day I will clean it, which takes about an hour.
Marty Lutz
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