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CCR Technologies Closed Circuit Rebreathers
The last decade
has seen massive growth in the number of Rebreather
units sold and used by sport divers around the
world. This section of my site is aimed at educating
divers on closed circuit technology.
A rebreather is SCUBA that allows you to re-breathe
the exhaled gas you have already consumed, unlike
open circuit scuba, you breathe directly from
the cylinder and then vent all the gas into the
surrounding atmosphere.
We only actually metabolise around 4% of the
inspired oxygen, the balance is exhausted along
with CO2. The rebreather captures the exhaled
gas and re-uses it by removing the CO2 and re-circulating
the oxygen, it also adds fresh gas to the system
to keep it at a life sustaining level.
There are three different types of rebreather;
SCR semi closed, CCR fully closed and oxygen rebreathers.
The semi closed works on a principle of consistently
adding fresh gas to the loop while re-using the
exhaled gas. These units also vent a portion of
the gas into the atmosphere, and even though this
happens the gas supply lasts significantly longer
than open circuit. A closed circuit rebreather
is a fully closed unit that doesn’t vent any gas
and re-circulates all the gas, and rather than
constantly adding gas the unit monitors the level
of oxygen in the unit and only adds oxygen at
the time the unit needs it to maintain the preset
or desired partial pressure of oxygen PPO2. An
oxygen rebreather works on the same principle
as CCR but the use of pure oxygen limits their
use to 6m in depth.
The added benefits of rebreather diving include;
bubble free quieter diving making them great for
underwater research and photography, moister warmer
breathing and easy buoyancy control.
Modern rebreathers are reliable and safe as long
as the user fully understands the unit and its
possible hazards. Each unit requires specific
training and it is very important if you are considering
diving with a rebreather that you seek training
from an experienced rebreather instructor affiliated
to a reputable rebreather centre.
Once you start diving on a rebreather you many
find it very difficult to come back to the dark
ages of open circuit diving.
Rebreather manufactures and third party suppliers of rebreather related products
Custom Rebreathers – Inner Space Systems Megalodon -
www.customrebreathers.com
Ambient Pressure Diving – Inspiration & Evolution Rebreather -
www.apdiving.com
Closed Circuit Research – Ouroboros Rebreather -
www.ccrb.co.uk
Jetsam technologies – KISS Rebreather -
www.jetsam.ca
Steam Machines – Prisum Rebreather -
www.steammachines.com
Diverite – O2ptima Rebreather –
www.diverite.com
Juergensen marine INC – Hammerhead Electronics -
www.rebreather.us
Shearwater Research Inc – Rebreather Electronics -
www.rebreather.ca
Paul Raymaekers – Revo Rebreather -
www.revo-rebreathers.com
Delta P – VR3 Mixed Gas Rebreather dive computer -
www.vr3.co.uk
Golem Gear – Rebreather accessories -
www.golemgear.com
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