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>A question for the rebreather community:
>
>In other articles (aquaCorps "C2", pp 24 'BAILOUT') it's mentioned
>that at least one unspecified absorbent material is exothermic...

They are all exothermic. In the NewtSuit, for example, all suit heating is a 
byproduct of this reaction; there is no other suit heater, and the amount of 
heat is a problem in warm water. Not that I've ever been in one, mind you, I 
just like reading about them.

If you were to dive in really cold water, insulating the cannister might be a 
good idea... maybe by surrounding it with the breathing bag to keep your 
breathing gas warm for you. I'm not sure if there is a roll-off in performance 
at the high temp end. I'd doubt it. chemical reactions don't usually work that 
way, and the absorbent can't break down any more CO2 than you generate, so your 
own metabolic rate is probably the limiter on the fast end of the reaction. I 
don't know of any rebreathers offhand that insulate the cannister or use it to 
heat your gas, but it seems like a good idea to me.


Remain calm. All is well.

Roger.

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