is that 35K for a rebreather? or for the course

The dates are April 5-11, 2009. We have put together a package that includes dive boat, hotel, all meals, beverages (soda, beer, cocktails), ground transportation, absorbant, oxygen, bail out cylinders, tuition, and books. Everything but airfare to SDQ, Santo Domingo, and a rebreather for $3,5000. Rental Rebreathers are available at $400 for the week.

Its $3,500 for the course. You need air fares and a 'breather. Im not sure what such a course would cost locally. Probably similar.
$400 for the RB for a week seems like a good deal.

The interesting this is WHO is running the course. Ever read Shadow Divers? or watched Deep Sea Detectives?

That's so seriously tempting; Being taught how to drive a 'breather by one of the rock-and-roll celebrities of the scuba world.

Looks like he's doing a bit of a world tour - he's due to be over at OzTech late March '09 as well....

As an avid diver of let say over 30 years and one with an open mind, I would like to open up an honest forum discussion on re-breather diving in NZ.

I am not against them nor for them, but to get the debate stated, lets say they have their limited place in NZ based on the support network and limited instructional advice available at this time. Sorry PM not aimed at you.

I am sure that will be enough to spore emotions and look forward to a open debate that may benefit all.

Wow Brent, your 1st post and what a good one.

I think RB's have a limited place anywhere in the world.
They are definitely not for every dive but then neither are twin tanks. I was once told twin tanks have no use in NZ and only posers who wanted to look good at Lake Pupuke used them. I rushed out and brought my 1st twin set after reading that. I dont think it increased my looks at all though.

With today's "Global Age" where all you need is just a mouse click away I dont think they really have limited support. The type of person who use them are usually pretty clued up on how they work and if they break down they can usually diagnose the problem and repair/replace the part.

There is an ever growing RB network in NZ and I think its quite a close community where they share ideas.


Instruction is definitely lacking in NZ. The only RB insructor I know of in NZ is Pete Mesley who only instructs on the Inspo's. Oh and I think Grant from Global can instruct on the Dragers but they are only SCR RB's. So if you want to get instruction on anything else then its a case of heading overseas. Sure its an added expense but lets face it RB's are expensive anyway. And from what I have heard Petes courses are not cheap.

There is an ever growing RB network in NZ and I think its quite a close community where they share ideas.

So what use are they? Well 1st there is stealth. My first RB was a little RGU MF German Tank escape pure O2 RB used by a professional photographer. Sure it was limited to 6 meters but there is alot to shoot at 6 meteres. I only ever used it in a pool, although I did learn a shit load about RB's while I owned it.
The 2nd of course it the huge amount of gas they save. And for any serious deep diver they have to be a consideration. OC gas costs for a deep dive could easily reach $500 or more per diver. CC could be less than $50. Mind you there are other costs involved like sorb and sensors. But the gas logistics alone make RB's attractive.

3rd is extended bottom time and less deco. On our recent trip out with you on Topaz I clocked up probably an hour and a half total deco time over the 5 days of diving. Christian on the other had no deco only "safety stops" and he did the same dives as I did.

I think he's now certified to cover several CCRs