Diver one of sixteen to die using high-tech gear

[DiverMole]

Ah, but there in lies the rub. I have very good control over my rebreather and can tell if it is malfunctioning. I have been trained to spot the problems and trained and drilled hard to be able to respond and fix them

a) I prepared it to my own standards and checked that preparation fully with predive checks and pre-breath

b) I have 4 independant O2 cells in the loop, any one of which I can use to tell the current PPO2. I calibrated all 4 of them just before the dives while watching the calibration coefficients so I can tell if the calibration is good. In fact the 4 cells use 2 independent calibration routines to derive their values (Inspirations own and VR3's) so I can tell if I miscalibrated either by comparison

c) I have all 4 PPO2 readouts available to me at all times during the dive on my handsets. I can look and check all 4 independantly at any time. I can also take steps to verify the accuracy and response of the cells at any time (Dil flush, O2 Flush)

These 4 readouts use 3 independant batteries

d) I also have a HUD (Heads up display) visible at all time with system status relayed in it

e) I have 2 independant handsets also monitoring the dive. One of which can also control the O2 if I fail to do so. The second is monitoring the first and will take over instantly if there is a problem

f) I also have a VR3 which also is monitoring my PPO2

g) I have a buddy also monitoring me and my unit

h) On top of the handsets, rebreather operators have a unique safety device lost on OC folks, it is called hearing. You can hear the smallest air leak and also when the solenoid fires. You soon learn the normal pattern of solenoid firing for you and would be instantly aware if it sped up or slowed down. Until you try it you wont believe how quiet a RB is

I) I can fly the unit manually if I have even one PPO2 readout left

J) I can go semi closed and get a 5X gas duration extension even if I loose ALL PPO2 monitors

K) If all hell breaks loose I can go OC, and then I'm in the same boat as you lot

Basically. I fly my unit, with 3 computers watching over me in case I cock up!! (likely to happen at some time). I have more options open to me if a problem arises.

Also apart from a stuck open solenoid (instantly noticable) all problems on a RB happen slowly. If I turn off my O2 at 50M for example it takes nearly 4 mins for my O2 to drop from the 1.3 bar I run at to .4 bar when all the alarms sounds (still miles from a problem). As I check my handsets about once a min I would have noticed 3 times in that space and the computers would be a final check. My HUD would start flashing amber then red (visible to buddies) well before this (10% devaition set)

The chances of me, 3 computers or 4 cells all going belly up at the same time are less likely than both the regs failing on your twin set at the same time, or a manifold O ring going

You and your buddy will hear the Inspiration buzzer!!!! it's bloody deafening!!!!. My current Hammerhead controller doesn't have an audible alarm, but actually a vibration alarm on my mouthpiece (part of the HUD)

So I'm not worried personally about the risk. It is all under my control completely. I'm a pretty cautious guy and would not use the RB if I thought I was going to die on it. I am convinced personally that if used properly they are safer than OC. I also believe that in 10 years time they will the the normal way of diving. They offer so many benifits over OC it is hard to consider going back