Mike Young was showing this little GEM at the DEMA trade show. Here's a link to a video from Curt Bowen and Walter Pickel: http://vimeo.com/31822198
Kiss Rebreather
Recreational Rebreather from KISS: GEM
From Doug Ebersole over on Scubaboard.
Kim Smith and the whole team at Jetsam should be commended for bringing a great new recreational rebreather to the market!!!
You can see from the photos below that this looks very similar to open circuit scuba. It connects to a regular nitrox cylinder and uses your own open circuit regulator. However it has rebreather hoses and a scrubber like a conventional rebreather. This combination allows for the rebreather advantages of minimal bubbles, warm moist air, and gas extension (approximately three times longer than open circuit) but a much lower cost, easier training, and much lower weight for travel. The lower weight for travel and the minimal bubbles are especially attractive for underwater photographers like me.
After last week in Miami with IANTD's Tom Mount, there are now three new KISS GEM Instructors -- Doug Ebersole (Florida), Hayna Amnon (Israel), and Masayoshi Kondo (Japan). Here are a couple of photos of the three of us in Tom's pool last week. -- From Doug Ebersole
Rebreather Diving Consumables
I get asked about the cost of consumables for rebreathers quite often. Here is a breakdown based on an average rebreather. Many variables exist for particular units and tank sizes.
Oxygen - in North Florida a tank is filled for about $4 - $6 and lasts up to ten hours, independent of depth
Diluent - depth dependent, but lasts for a good day of diving for $4
Bailout - these are likely plumbed to your inflator and/or dry suit, but won’t be used for anything beyond safety checks, practice or open circuit bailout, therefore will last up to months prior to refilling unless you have had an incident
Batteries - depends on your unit. Mine is rechargeable, so extremely low cost. My first rig had batteries that were $100 for about 40 hours of use!
Sorb - averages between $25 and $30 per fill or cartridge for most people. These may last from two to six hours depending on your unit, although it is always advisable to start fresh for deep.
Trimix - local prices vary dramatically, but you will likely only need 13 cft (2 liters) of mix for a deep dive. If you keep a filled pair of bailout tanks, you’ll only be refilling the onboard tank for dives. It is cheaper to store an extra set of bailout tanks than fill and dump on a regular basis.
Service - don’t forget to factor service into your life. Don’t wait for something to break. Be proactive. Jill Heinerth
CCR Rebreather Summit November 22, 2009
A one day workshop and roundtable discussion. Rebreather manufacturers and experts discuss techniques and address controversial issues while offering an opportunity to see the latest features coming to the rebreather diving community. Tom Mount, Leon Scamahorn, Jakub Rehacek, Lamar Hires and Brett Hemphill and many others including Silent Diving and VR Technology will participate. Jill Heinerth will serve as moderator and host. Presented by the NACD World Cave Diving Conference. Same location as last year: Camp Kulaqua, High Springs, Florida. $10 includes lunch and seminar. Sunday, November 22, 2009 beginning at 10 am. Contact Debra Green at the NACD. More info at: www.SafeCaveDiving.com
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