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Many of you will be aware that something happened on a BMD rebreather a short while ago. What actually happened is less of an issue than the scenario that has now been created. What happened was that a rebreather student in a shallow pool session, was purposely using air, with the knowledge that this would lead to hypoxic symtoms. The instructor in question wanted this person to understand more clearly the importance of gas physics. When the student began to have swimming difficulty (this was not expected, discomfort was expected) he was immediately pulled up by the instructor, and was fine. The short story on this then is that someone wants their money back, because the rebreather is harder to learn and use than they thought it would be. Several people may argue that this pool training was not proper , and that the student should have been walking around on the sidewalk with the unit on, for the hypoxia experience. Lets talk about this later. Without going into detail about specifics (which could effect either party in court), the issue is: A manufacturer sells a rebreather to someone who can not or will not study and learn material basic to deep diving and gas physics. Further, the person in question, while certified as a diver, has NO bouyancy skills with single or double tanks, and after over a week has made no progress in physical skills or attitude. This person expects to be given a card entitling them to dive deep wrecks with a rebreather, at the conclusion of their vacation/training. How can the tech diving industry prevent a NON-TRAINABLE diver from buying a rebreather, and then trying to get the certification??? My first thought was that any one who wanted to purchase a rebreather would have to complete nitrox, deepair, tech nitrox and trimix (or equivalent advanced training) to guarantee that this person could be fit to dive a rebreather. This would spare people who should not become rebreather divers from spending $7000 to $20,000 on units they can never learn to use, and never be allowed to use...These people DO NEED to be protected. Right now, a "never-ever" could spend a small fortune on a rebreather and then attempt to get certified. Many manufacturers will require 2/3 money to be paid, long before the "new student" receives the unit or their advanced training. The instructor which is frequently chosen AFTER the purchase, is then placed in the position that they either train this person, or this person loses a fortune in their rebreather investment and with no recourse. How can you train a person who doesn't take their training seriously? How can you train a person not competent intellectually to learn the gas physics? What do you do if they have come all the way from accross the country or the world to learn the use of this new investment? And what if you know after three or four days, that this person will die on whatever system you put them on if the eposure is far beyond recreational in complexity? Not everyone can or should be a technical diver. Not everyone can or should use a rebreather. Considering the increased complexity level of the rebreather, and the big investment, I think the Tech Diver list needs to agree on some standards to force on the industry, before a real incident occurs. Anyone have some ideas? Dan Dan Volker 407-683-3592
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