ecology

Coral trout Success Stories (Plectropomus leop- ardus) on the Great Barrier , Australia. Photo: Michael T. Gallager Text by Arnold Weisz in Troubled Waters

The race to save animal spe- working on Australia’s found coral trout numbers rebounded by trout species are the south. Coral trout cies from extinction is as impor- (GBR). Researchers report a spectacular 31 to 75 per cent on a majority of reefs, main target species for are the favourite recovery in coral trout (Plectropomus which had been closed to fishing for as reef line fishers along target fish for all tant as ever before. There are leopardus)—also called common little as one and a half to two years. This the Queensland coast sectors of the fishery still many threats to a growing coral trout or Leopard trout—num- come back of the coral trout came as a from the Eastern Torres Strait in the north because they are a good eating fish and number of animals, but there bers on unfished reefs. A team led by result of an imposition of a strict no-fishing to the Capricorn Bunkers area in the collect good market prices. are also some success stories. Professor Garry Russ of the ARC Centre policy across 33 percent of the total of Excellence for Studies GBR area in 2004. Animals on the brink of extinc- and James Cook University, Dr Hugh Coral tion have rebounded. Sweatman of the Australian Institute of Marine Science and supported by Marine protected areas have proven to the Australian Government’s allow threatened fish stocks to recover Marine and Tropical and to increase the fishing yield in adja- Sciences Research cent areas. In the Egyptian Red Sea, five Facility years after the establishment of marine (MTSRF), reserves, fishing has increased by 66 per- has cent in neighbouring areas. Conservation is not an empty word, it actually helps. Even though the list of threatened marine species continue to grow, there are some remarkable success stories of the recovery of animal populations once threatened by extinction. Coral trout comeback Dramatic evidence that protected fish populations can bounce back rapidly from the impact of years of heavy fishing has been obtained by a team of marine scientists

Goliath groupers can reach a maximum length of approximately eight feet, weigh up to approximately 880-pounds and can live for more than 35-years. Photo: NOAA

64 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology

Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostis) Photo: Joe Martin / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

LEFT INSET: A female lounging in cool damp sand in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Robert Schwemmer, CINMS, NOAA

sale in the 1800s for the oil that could be rendered from their blubber. In the late 1890s, it was estimated that only 50 to 100 individuals were left. The only remaining colony was on the Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California. The Mexican government was slow to react, but was the first to give protected status to elephant seals in 1922. The US government followed 100 individuals left suit a few years later when the seals began Another dramatic success story is the survival of the north- to appear in Southern California waters. Since that time, ern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Hundreds of elephant seals have continued to multiply exponentially, thousands of northern elephant seals once inhabited the and they have extended their breeding range as far north Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico to the Gulf of as Point Reyes. Today, there are approximately 160,000 Northern elephant seal- Battle-scarred male veteran of many a harem war. Alaska and Aleutian Islands. They were slaughtered whole- northern elephant seals. Photo: Robert Schwemmer, CINMS, NOAA. Photo: Joe Martin / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. TOP Photo: Robert Schwemmer, CINMS, NOAA 65 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ecology Success Stories

Recovering, According to IUCN, it has been indicated that the ban on spear-

but still endangered www.underwater.com.au fishing in the upper Florida Keys Another example which yet can’t has significantly and beneficially be called a success story, but influenced the average size of shows that protection can help groupers, although their popu- to save a species from extinction. lations in this region have not The Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus reached stable levels. itajara) populations in the eastern A study by Southeast Fisheries Gulf of Mexico are still on the IUNC Science Center from 2003, indi- Red list as Critically Endangered, cates that the U.S. goliath grouper but showing good signs of recov- population has a about 50 percent ery. Intense fishing by chance that the population will recreational and commercial fish- have recovered to by 2006 and ing contributed to the population about a 95 percent chance that it declines of goliath grouper. Goliath will recover by 2012. grouper is the largest of the west- ern north Atlantic groupers. It can Not too late reach about 455 kg / 800 lbs and The International Union for the dive in. over 2m total length. Their slow Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has growth, longevity, and large size identified more than 16,000 spe- at sexual maturation make them cies threatened with extinction. The explore. especially susceptible to overfish- risk of extinction for many species ing. may have been seriously underesti- All harvesting of the Goliath mated, according to new research discover. Grouper in federal waters of the published in the journal Nature. south-eastern United States (includ- Well known studies also show that ing the Gulf of Mexico) has been all species matter. prohibited since 1990 by the South Because too many species in a Atlantic Fisheries Management region become extinct or are too Council and the Gulf of Mexico low in numbers, the ecosystem itself Fisheries Management Council, unravels. According to research- and in the Caribbean since 1993 ers there is still time to reverse the by Caribbean Fishery Management trend, the but only if quick action Council. protects depleted species more effectively and saves ocean habitats by creating new marine reserves. ■

LEFT: Grouper distribution map. FAR LEFT: Live large groupers such as Epine- phelus corallicola and Plectropomus leopardus were common in this Hong Kong fish market. Tailgating the lone dugong, KAT, on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Photo: Julie McGowan, Photographed by Karen Willshaw ~ underwater.com.au member Timana Photography, 2006 / Marine Photobank

66 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED pearls of the mediterranean

I made up my mind quite a long time preserved its original face in the midst of the ago about whether or not I should big tourist centres of Spain’s Costa Brava for over six decades. Tamariu still looks like entrust you with one of my favourite a small fishermen’s village. There are no big holiday destinations. Tamariu is not tourist resorts or hotels, and it still combines the like any other small port town in advantages of a uniquely beautiful diving area which one can swim, dive and eat with the original charm of the “wild coast”. The German diver, Günter Stollberg, founded well. No! Tamariu is my little secret, his dive centre in Tamariu 37 years ago. Since and I share it already with quite a lot then, he has offered dive trips to nine dive of other insiders. But if you like, I will sites that belong to some the best of what the initiate you now. Mediterranean Sea has to offer. “Stolli” (Stollberg’s nickname) gives his I cannot describe in just a few words why divers a high degree of personalized service, Tamariu counts as one of the loveliest places up-to-date dive technology, and well cared I have ever visited in my life. It is not just the for state-of-the-art equipment. His dive base smell of the pine woods and cypresses, the provides a fresh water rinse shower as well as mild climate and the wild, cleft coast that an easy on-site storage of gear. Gabriela, the hides probably the best dive sites of the 75-year-old diesel engine-powered , A Hidden Secret Mediterranean Sea under the surface of is a 30-foot former Spanish fishing boat that can the water, Tamariu is a small pearl that has Over and under water Tamariu offers awe- some perspectives—the picturesque bay is Text by Harald Apelt. Photos by one of the loveliest on Costa Brava, and the Maria Pichlmaier and Günter Stolberg reefs are lusciously carpeted with gorgones Tamariu 67 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED pearls of the Tamariu mediterranean COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The sandy beach of Tamariu is not very crowded outside the main tourist season. Big swarms of Anthias are patrouling the reefs, Mediterranean moreys and Seahorses are not so easy to find

also be operated The second highlight Stolli offers is the “Furio under sail while taking Fito de Begur”. The reef looks like a big plateau a maximum of 15 and begins on approximately 14 metres of divers per dive tour. depth. On the north side is a drop-off wall, She is dedicated which is covered with Gorgones. The wall drops to exploring nine 42 metes vertically down. To the east of the different dive sites drop off is the second reef, formed like a sugar close by which loaf. This one begins at 25 metres. Between both present the usual reefs are big lobsters, which hide in the depths. varied population of On the plateau there are numerous Morays marine life found in and a lot of Octopuses. Under overhangs and the Mediterranean. in fissures, one can regularly see Congers, Fork It’s only 30 metres beards and splendid Scorpion fishes. away from the dive In April and May, the rare John Dory (Zeus center to the little pier Faber) can be observed, and in May-June, were divers can start sunfishes can be seen quite often sleeping on their dive expeditions the surface in the sun. at the house reef with And after diving activities, divers can enjoy a very comfortable the fine, clean stretch of the sandy beach entrance and submerged depths between 5-15 dotted with little shops and a handful of metres of depth. The highlight—the sea horses— restaurants and tapas bars where the typical are difficult to find, but Stolli’s partner, Ade, has Catalonian cuisine of the region is celebrated. eyes like an eagle and is one of the best guides The crew of Stolli’s will offer you a for discovering sea horses. distinct and fulfilling atmosphere—both below Scorpion fishes, Octopuses, Sepias, Groupers, and above the waterline. Conger and Morays can be seen while diving at Tamariu. Travel information There are two dive sites that are the favorites Tamariu is situated in the northeast region of of Stolli and his team. The Tamariu reef with its Spain, just 80 kilometres south of the French Spanish name “Cala Nova”, is probably one of frontier. It lies in the centre of the Costa Brava. the most exciting dive spots on Costa Brava. The capital of this region is Girona, an old city The reef has five parallel running gulches; they whose old mediaeval centre is worth a visit. are various in width and covered excessively Costa Brava starts in the north at the French with Gorgones and Zoanthids. Groupers of border at Port Bou and runs down to Barcelona, all dimensions, crawfish, swarms of breams the capital of Catalonia. and Barracuda can often be seen here, and Costa Brava is not an all-year destination. for observers of “small” things and macro Although it has the mild Mediterranean climate photographers, nudibranchs in all kinds of colors most of the year, the really cosy times start and forms can be seen. The reef begins with 12 in the beginning of May. The tourist season metres of depth and goes down to 40 metres. finishes at the end of October. Sometimes

68 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED pearls of the Tamariu mediterranean “Come and see us!” Stolli, Mary and Tom and Ade are proud to offer individual service and a very friendly atmosphere

timetables can be Creus (www.ullaundpaul.de). On the house on the main road of the town, found at www.sarfa. way back to Tamariu, you should visit you will recognize that La Bisbal is com. the Dalí museum in Figueres, Dalí’s one of the biggest pottery centres The best way hometown. The museum is located in in Catalonia. Thousands of pottery to reach the an old theatre, and it is here where products and ceramic artworks are destinations and the first works of the famous painter displayed directly on the main road— have mobility during were shown to public. Dalí himself an invitation to stop and take a closer the visit is to rent a restored the building in 1960. It had look at the ceramic shops in town. car. Cars can be been bombed and destroyed during Well, if you are a diver, your heart rented directly from the Spanish civil war. It re-opened its might be bleeding by now, but a Barcelona’s airport doors to the public in 1974. After his look into the market hall of Palafrugell with really good death on January 23, 1989 in Girona, (early in the morning from 6 am) is terms, for example, Dali was buried in his hometown of very interesting and certainly shows a one week in May Figueres in the crypt of his museum. bigger offer of fish than you will ever starts at 119 Euro. Check out La Bisbal. It’s a city you see on your dives. This visit should A mid-class car will pass on your way to Tamariu be combined with market day in (Peugeot 107) rents anyway, and you will immediately be Palafrugell on Monday. It’s a typical the “Tramuntana” brings windy or season and late-summer, the water for 159,50 Euro including insurance caught by its unique presentation of Spanish market with a wide range of even stormy days. That’s why you reaches 23°C to 24°C. and unlimited kilometres for seven the fine art widely produced here. products and many impressions and should bring along a pullover and The security system of the dive centre days at www.carbookers.com. From the moment you reach the first views into the Catalonian soul. ■ a windbreaker, especially early in works perfectly. the season. April and May normally chambers are located in Palamos— What you must see are good months for diving. During only a few kilometres from Tamariu Of course the medieval cities of Pals the main season in July and August, and Barcelona. and Peratallada are a must-see. If the diving centres are empty, but By car on the highway, take the you are interested in the arts you the beaches are overcrowded. “Autopista del Mediterrani” leaving should do the trip to Cadaqués. It’s Another reason not to go there in Girona-Nord, follow the C66 to La another lovely pearl close to the these months is that all the bays look Bisbal and Palafrugell. In Palafrugell- French border. The famous painter, like parking lots in front of a football Montras, turn left into Avinguda Salvador Dalí, lived there. You can stadium because they are occupied de Espanya. After 2km, turn right visit his house in the little bay of Port by hundreds of sport boats that bop into Carrer de Bruguerol (GIV-6542) Lligat and see a set of fishing huts up and down on their buoys in the heading to Tamariu. After 2.5km, that Dalí renovated. It is here where water. No space for swimming. follow GIV-6542 on the left side into he based his summer home and Stolli’s dive centre is open from Carrer de la Perica until you reach workshop. The estate has a maze- Easter to the end of October. Stolli’s Tamariu centre. like structure with different areas on team can give you a hand in finding Two airport are close to this region. different levels where Dalí’s furniture an apartment, house or hotel room. Girona airport is only served by some and personal objects are preserved. The best time for diving is April until carriers such as Ryanair. From Girona (book reservations beforehand). mid-June and September through airport, a bus shuttle drives to the If you stay for a night and are October. Water start at coast. Barcelona International Airport still interested in good diving in 13°C in April, but soon get warmer. is about 100 kilometres away from Cadaqués, you’ll find the dive centre In April until mid-June, a is Calella de Palafrugell. The bus ride of Ulla and Paul Bräutigam right next comfortable, a semi dry suit is okay, from Barcelona (Estació del Nord) to the Dalí house. The diving centre and wet suits are only for the really to Palafrugell takes two hours and offers dive trips to the fantastic dive rugged types. During the main cost 15 Euro. More information and spots of the national park of Cape de

69 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Glonsl msp highlights Bay of Biscay location of Span (right) Gijón Santander FRANCE A Coruña Map of Spain highlights Bilbao location of Tamariou AND. Vigo PYRENEES on Costa Brava León fact file (far right) Zaragoza Tamariu Barcelona Tamariu, Spain Calella Valladolid Tarragona Balearic MADRID S Castellón Sea ND LA del la Plana IS PORTUGAL C RI Tagus Valencia A LE A B Palma sOurCE: Harald aPElT, Cia wOrld faCT BOOk de Olivenza Alicante Mallorca Córdoba Murcia History The powerful world Ocean 0 m. Highest point: Pico de other religions 6%. Inter- Sevilla Cartagena Mediterranean Sea empire of Spain in the 16th and Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands net users: 18.578 million Granada Huelva 17th centuries saw the nation take 3,718 m. Spain holds a strategic (2006) Cadiz Málaga command of the seas to England. location along approaches to Algeciras However, Spain failed to embrace the Strait of Gibraltar. Calella de The official lan- Gibraltar (UK) Language Strait of Gibraltar Ceuta (SP) the industrial and mercantile Palafrugell is situated in the north- guage is Castilian Spanish, 74%. ALGERIA Peñon de Velez Melilla (SP) revolutions, which caused the it to east of Spain, just 80 kilometres Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque NORTH de la Gomera ATLANTIC (SP) fall behind Britain, Germany and south of the French frontier and 2%, are official on a regional basis. OCEAN France in political and economic lies in the centre of Costa Brava. MOROCCO power. During the two world wars, The capital of this region is Girona, Visas & Permits All members Spain remained neutral, but suf- an old city whose old medieval of Schengen countries of the fered devastating during its own center is worth visiting. Costa European community need only a civil war from 1936 to 1939. After Brava starts in the north end at valid identity card. Visitors from all the death of dictator Francisco the French border at Port Bou and other countries need a passport Franco in 1975, there was a ends down at Barcelona in the and a classic visa. peaceful transition to democ- south, the capital of Catalonia. racy. In 1986, Spain joined the EU. Medical For diving, one always Rapid economic modernization Environmental issues needs a valid medical certificate has given Spain one of the most Deforestation and desertification; of diving capability (up to the age dynamic economies in Europe. It air pollution; water quantity and of 40, valid for two years; from the has become a global champion quality nationwide; pollution of the age of 40, valid for only one year). of freedom. However, challenges Mediterranean Sea from effluents Underage divers need to have including Basque Fatherland and from the offshore production of oil a written permission from their Liberty (ETA) terrorism, illegal immi- and gas and raw sewage. parents. gration, and slowing economic growth continue to hamper the Climate temperate; clear, hot Divers Insurance: For diving at government. Government: par- summers in interior, more mod- the Costa Brava, one needs to liamentary monarchy. Capital: erate and cloudy along coast; have valid accident and liability- Madrid cloudy, cold winters in interior, insurance for divers (covering partly cloudy and cool along the costs of treatment in a Geography Spain is located in coast. decompression chamber). southwestern Europe. It borders the North Atlantic Ocean, the Currency Euro. Exchange rates: Websites Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay, 1 EUR = 1.48 USD, .74 GBP, 158.13 Stolli’s Dive Base and the Pyrenees Mountains in the JPY, 1.47 CAD, 1.66 AUD, 2.09 SGD www.stollis-divebase.de ■ southwest of France. Coastline: 4,964 km. Terrain: large, flat to Population 40,448,191 (July 2007 The dive boat Gabriela divided plateau surrounded by est.) Ethnic groups: composed of is more than 75 years old rugged hills and the Pyrenees to Mediterranean and Nordic types. but still in great condition. the north. Lowest point: Atlantic Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, It can carry 15 divers to the spots outside Tamariu

70 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED media Sea Breeze for World Wind Books Film DVDs CDs An extensive collection of high Edited by resolution maps depicting a broad Peter Symes variety of oceanic properties and characteristics, this program point & click includes data categories such on bold links as , Bathymetry, Seafloor Features, Geology, Geophysics and Meteorology. With over 600 maps covering about 50 physical, chemi- cal and biological parameters of the world’s oceans and seas, the program provides the highest resolution publicly available. In order to provide presentation qual- ity maps of many important marine variables, data is compiled from the leading, most up-to-date sources. Sea Breeze helps users be able to visualize the complex processes underlying the behavior of Earth’s largest biologi- cal and climatic engine. Designed to be a scientific reference source of oceano- graphic data, it is also an intuitive interface for the educational exploration of marine systems. www.panglosstech.com

Archaeological Oceanography

The definitive book on the new field of deep-sea archaeology, this book edited by Robert Ballar—the man who discovered the Titanic— A Diver’s Guide to describes the latest advances that Wonders of the Sea: allow researchers to investigate Southern California’s North Central California’s Living Marine Riches the secrets of the deep ocean. It Best Beach Dives covers the critical contributions The new fourth edition by Dale and Created by award-winning marine life photographer Marc Shargel, this which these advances have Kim Sheckler is available late June book is a visual journey beneath California’s near-shore Pacific Ocean. offered to archaeology and 2008. With fabulous color photo- Offering a window onto some of the diverse marine life of California’s fields such as anthropology and graphs, the guide covers 70 different North Central Coast, Shargel’s images allow one to go on an adven- maritime history. Shipwrecks have dive sites, with maps of the several ture of imagination past the waves that crash on the craggy shores been found and excavated by locations. It also includes informative and long sprawling beaches and into the underwater world of sea. marine archeologists since at and inspirational sidebars about dive Here you will find a diversity of forms and a rainbow of color, which least the early 1950s. It is only techniques, photography, marine life meets the magesty and splendor of some of the most amazing bio- recently that restriction have and hunting. There are beach diving spheres on Earth. Wonders of the Sea takes you on a submarine voy- been placed on their explora- tips and information on areas such as age of discovery from Point Arena in Mendocino County to Pescadero tions to what is now considered Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, in San Mateo County and out to the Farallon Islands beyond the shallow depths by oceano- Orange and San Diego Counties.Size: Golden Gate Bridge. While topside and in between dives, you can graphic standards. In this book, 6 x 11 inches, 152 pages. enjoy, remember and relish the underwater world off the California Ballard has brought together www.saintbrendan.com coast with this book. Ten areas are described within its pages, each a cross-disciplinary group of of which have been eligible to become a marine protected area archaeologists, oceanogra- through the Marine Life Protection Act of the state. The author hopes to phers, ocean engineers, and increase public awareness of what lies beneath the waves just beyond anthropologists—pioneers of the Californian shores and highlight the ongoing efforts in conservation archaeological oceanography who have made ambi- in the region. 80 pages, 77 full-color images. www.lumigenic.com tious expeditions into the deep sea. press.princeton.edu

71 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED media Antartica with Amos Nachoum February and March are the prime time to sail to Antarctica, see thousands of penguins and dive with leopard seals on icebergs. Space is designed for seven guests only onboard the uniquely designed and equipped-for-diving ‘74 Pelagic Australis.

The greatest explorers of all time helped dis- cover Antarctica, the last continent, and the The three most daring adventures took place onboard Dives Brasil titles available sailboats in reaching the South Pole. To this now: day, very few people have gone DVD series here by large cruise ships, and only a handful Parcel Manoel Luis will ever reach the remote reefs and unex- By Arnold Weisz (Maranhão) plored bays and waters that we will reach with This is a coral reef in open the specially designed sailboat, the 74’ Pelagic When it comes to researching your ocean which has an unimag- Australis and her dedicated crew. upcoming underwater experiences inable abundance of wrecks. We have before you go, or re-living them after The DVD shows a great reef with budgeted 12-14 days of diving, two dives per you’ve come home, a DVD can be a rich marine life and some fan- day, including land exploration of noisy and handy. This is exactly how the DVD’s tastic wrecks. It also gives you an colorful penguins colonies, research stations, from Dives Brasil can be useful. The impression of how difficult it is to past explorer huts and remote extraordinary vis- three titles out so far are a mix of a get there. The pay off is, you’re tas of glaciers and bays, which no other vessel documentary and tourist commer- alone on the reef. can or will visit. cials. These DVDs do not only give The diving experience will coincide with the you an impression about the diving, Ceará prime time to see Leopard seals ambush and but they start with some general foot- This DVD takes you diving out of prey on adult penguins. We will search for age and information about the area. Fortaleza. The grand prize here is stranding blue icebergs and dive safely around Ranging from the local food, culture diving the wreck on a 120-meter them. We will dive on reefs that are free of ice and architecture to tourist sights. cargoship, which was sunk by a and discover the wonder of the flora and fauna Some of the places are also shown German submarine during that thrive in 28ºF of water—absolutely mind- with aerial images. Even though not WWII. bending forms and colors. all of the underwater filming is of This departure is also dedicated to two more cinematic quality, it’s made by local Archipelago of Fernando de specialties for divers. Onboard is divers and a producers who know Noronha O2 and scrubber. Underwater photographers the sites well. Ranging from 35 to 90 The DVD gives you a nice aerial will benefit from Amos Nachoum’s (Master of minutes, the films are probably more overview before you roam the BigAnimals Photography) first hand coaching. fun to show to your friends, than the island. The longest of the DVDs good old photo album, screen or has spared a lot of time to enjoy A Life Changing Experience paper. No great secrets revealed but the underwater experience of the February 25 - March 20, 2009. informative films. The major obsta- island. One of Brazil’s top dive sites Price: US$26,800. Credit cards cle for non-Portuguese speakers, is can never get enough justice on accepted. that none of the three titles avail- a DVD. So, consider this as small able at the moment come in English. taste of what’s to come or a way to Number of Guests: 8 Although that is to change. The refresh memories. Remaining Spaces: 4 only Project Dives Brazil is planning to pro- For information and reserva- duce a further 14 titles covering the Project Dives Brazil is distributed and tions, call now: Brazilian cost from north to south. And marketed (national and internation- +1 (415) 812 9476 or e-mail: future titles are planned to include al) by MEDIA RIGHTS [email protected] seven different languages, either by (www.mediarights.com.br). ■ Dealers inquiries welcome. narration or subtitles.

— Amos Nachoum ■ all PHOTOs amOs naCHOum

72 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED ImagE COurTEsy Of POsEidOn

As ParT Of making THis arTiClE all THE rEBrEaTHEr manufaCTurErs knOwn TO us wErE technical COnTaCTEd wiTH a rEquEsT TO PrOVidE us wiTH THE laTEsT TECHniCal infOrmaTiOn and PrOduCT imagEs. WE alsO inViTEd THEm TO OffEr adViCE Or TiPs TO THE PrOsPECTiVE BuyEr. matters PrOduCT imagEs in THis arTiClE arE TO a largE ExTEnT PrOVidEd By THE manufaCTurErs

Column by Cedric Verdier

What to think about before Buying a Rebreather

Text by Cedric Verdier One morning, sooner or later, mixes coming from remote plan- tion, Supplemented by you will wake up with a strange ets. but it Peter Symes sensation—as if some minor and So, after reading magazines, is an weird changes happened in your walking your way along many important body overnight. You are not turn- booths in the dive shows, surfing one none- ing into another Dr Jekyll and Mr the net looking for rebreather- theless. Hyde, but in the recent weeks you related websites, you have finally Take a too much of a hassle—they don’t have come to find your dives to arrived at an important threshold peek at have time, or they don’t like it. be very noisy with all the bubbles in your life. You are ready to buy the internet So, it is better to think twice escaping from your regulator a rebreather. You have made forums and mailing lists and you’ll beforehand, weighing cost starting to get on your nerves. up your mind, checked that the discover a lot of people selling against benefits, taking into con- All your dive gear has also mortgage for your nuclear bunker their expensive and brand new sideration what types and fre- started to feel very heavy, is in place and you won’t have . Why? The reason quency of the dives you usually with all these tanks and regu- to replace your two-year-old stated most of the time is that do or plan to do. Points to con- lators to carry everywhere. pink Jacuzzi anytime soon. What the present owner just doesn’t sider should include: And then you have this fancy do you do then? Asking yourself use it! Yes, you read it correctly. and expensive the following questions is a good After months of research and The type of diving you do. Using full of features you cannot use place to start: comparisons of products, prices a rebreather can make a lot of because they are designed for and offers, and after making a sense for a diver who spends a divers with little in common with Do I really need financial investment equal to the lot of time doing deep wreck you, using state-of-the-art and a rebreather? one needed for buying a small dives or long video dives. But highly complex equipment on car, a lot of divers discover that does it also make sense for short their back and esoteric It might sound like a strange ques- they don’t really need it, or it’s and shallow reef dives in a tropi-

73 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED cal environment? Only you can answer that question. But con- “Lt. Lund II” A military eCCR sider the hassle of travelling with There is no -rebreather eCCRs are more complex units a rebreather (even a small one!), from 1954 using a computer (sometimes filling or oxygen tanks, buy- way around it: several) to constantly monitor ing scrubber, preparing the unit Rebreathers need the oxygen level in the breathing before the dive, cleaning it after- proper care loop and electronically maintain wards and what not. All that work a pre-determined constant pO2. for something that can possibly This level is known as a “setpoint”. be done just as easily with a single What type you choose may in tank you can rent anywhere! Your complacency level. There part depend on the contents of is no way around it—rebreathers your piggy bank, as eCCRs are The number of dives you do. need proper care. And they more expensive than mCCRs. Consider the initial investment can be temperamental pieces gen—something that Also, the type of dives you do for a rebreather, plus the main- of equipment. After some dives is not as ideal as CCR means something, as eCCRs are tenance (batteries, O2 sensors, on open circuit, don’t expect to P ETE r S ym E s from a decompression usually less depth-limited than yearly regulator maintenance). come back to your rebreather standpoint. Therefore, mCCRs. It may also be a matter Then divide this number by the and find it working flawlessly. the trend is still of which degree you are comfort- number of dives you do in the Chances are that something will that fewer SCRs are able with relying on electronics span of three years, which is the not be working properly as it was being built, with CCRs under water. average time people own a spe- before. It is necessary to dedicate clearly being the pre- cific rebreather. Then add the some time to your rebreather— ferred choice overall. additional expenses for each for maintenance, pre-dive and Aside from some very rebreather dive (scrubber, tank post-dive checks and routine specific applications, fills, etc). If you end up with a skills underwater. So, if you spend pure oxygen CCRs are cost per dive very close to your more time brushing your teeth not used in monthly salary, it might be wise to in the morning than preparing, because their use is limited consider sticking with your current checking and properly pack- to a maximum depth of only open diving open circuit. ing your , you’ll six meters. (Any deeper than have to change that, the of the

your habits if you pure O2 reaches toxic levels). That want to dive leaves two main types of CCRs to with a rebreath- What type of share the scene: mCCRs (manu- er. If post-diving rebreather do I need? ally operated CCR) and eCCRs maintenance (electronically controlled CCR). means having There are about as many The main difference lies in the a nap after the rebreather models on the market manner by which oxygen is inject- dive to you, then now as three-syllable words in a ed in the breathing loop: Rambo movie. These rebreathers is not for you. are either semi-closed rebreathers mCCR (SCR) or fully closed circuit (CCR) Most of mCCRs rely on a tiny

rebreathers. In the recent years, constant feed of O2 into the The Dräger Dolphin is the favor of the public has gravi- loop making the content safe to possibly the best known tated towards the fully closed-cir- breathe. The user has to frequent- and most widely pro- cuit rebreathers. Firstly, the once ly check the loop content on a duced semi closed significant price gap between display showing the pO2 readings rebreather. Introduced the SCRs and CCRs full bred units from a set of (most often three) in the mid 1990s, the have narrowed over the years. oxygen sensors and manually design is now begin- ning to show its age Secondly, the performance and inject more oxygen if necessary to in comparion with accessibility of the CCRs have keep oxygen content at the cor- more contemporary kept improving. rect levels. These rebreathers are models Purely mechanical SCRs con- simple and reliable but require stantly loose gas by every exhala- to constantly keep a

tion, and they work by providing close eye on the oxygen moni- P O s E id n a constant percentage of oxy- tors.

74 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Radial has a longer dura- and counterlung position education tion and is generally consid- A new method of counterlung evaluation presented by ered to offer a lower breath- Dr Dan Warkander, US Navy, breaks down the common ing resistance. Scrubbers, concept of breathing effort into three constituent breath- Granular absorb- too, come in different sizes. ing factors that must be evaluated for closed circuit sys- ent you pour into A bigger scrubber gives you tems. your scubber your- more time underwater, or • Resistive effort describes the burden of pushing or pull- self (left). Cheaper, more reserve for the same ing gas through the breathing loop—think of the differ- but care most be duration. ence between breathing through a soda straw and a taken to pack the . scrubber correctly. Prepacked cartridg- Duration? • Hydrostatic Loading describes the relative difference es (right) are more Probably one of your least between the pressure center of the diver’s lungs and expensive but more con- concerns. Chances are you the maximum and minimum pressure differentials when venient and always correctly packed will be starving long before the counter lung is fully inflated and fully emptied. your scrubber expires. • Elastance refers to the change in shape of the counter Unless you are a techni- lung as its volume changes during a breath. Which features should I look for in a CCR? cal diver planning very long dives, most scrubbers Each of these three elements causes the diver to do work This is where we get technical. So, to also provide the option of different sizes will outlast any dive you when breathing. Lower work of breathing is a design spare you long nights of ploughing of counterlungs. Size is another another can endure before you objective to avoid fatigue from just breathing. through heaps of technical brochures, trade-off, which has to be balanced. crave the next meal or graphics, curves and test results, let’s get Too small and you may find yourself in need to go to the bath- right to point. a struggle to get enough gas, too large room. It is mostly a mat- and they create a lot of unnecessary ter of convenience and Counterlungs drag. how often you need These are the ‘bags’ on the breathing to change. A typical loop where your exhalation goes. The Scrubber scrubber will last you 4-6 shape and position of these determine One of the most important components hours depending on the size of some of the breathing characteristics of the unit, the scrubber canister holds the canister and the temperature of the water. Golem Gear’s and how easily you breathe in different the absorbent (i.e. Sodalime) which radial scrub- positions underwater. Some rebreathers absorbs the exhaled CO2 cleaning up Granular absorbent ber unit for the have the counterlungs back-mounted, the gas you’ll breathe. You can choose or prepacked cartridges? Megalodon giving a nice chest-free configuration. between granular absorbent that you To some extent, this is a matter of choice of CCR is almost a piece of art. This configuration aids exhalation but pour into the canister yourself or solid economy versus convenience. Pouring gran- The breathing makes inhalation harder. The opposite is state cartridges, which you just slide in as ules and packing the scrubber is not outright gas comes true for chest-mounted counter-lungs. a whole package. messy but a bit of manual work. It can also down the In a normal swimming position, the hydrostatic load of Others have them configured “over- There are also different scrubber archi- be contended that prepacked cartridges are center axis back mounted counter lungs produces negative lung the-shoulders” for a better work of tectures—axial or radial. An axial scrub- packed uniformly and correctly by a manufac- and then loading—it is hard to inhale but easy to exhale. Chest breathing, but a more ber is essentially a wide cylindrical pipe turer ensuring that channelling won’t happen. traverses radi- mounted counter lungs produce positive lung loading encumbered chest. In through which gas flows from one to the (see box next page). But there is not always ally through where the inhalation is easy but exhaling requires more any case, the coun- other in a ‘vertical direction’. In a radial an option. There aren’t cartridges available for the absorbent of an effort. Over the shoulder counter lungs provide the terlungs should be scrubber, gas flows in a radial direc- each and any size of canister or rebreather, and through best compromise reducing lung net loading to zero. positioned as close tion from a central pipe at the hub and while some rebreathers, i.e. the Poseidon CCR, the grid to your real lungs as towards the side of the canister. only accepts proprietary cartridges. As regards to resistive effort, small diameter air passages possible to minimize have higher resistance to flow. So does elbows, long work of breathing tubes, flow direction mushroom valves and thick scrubber (See info box). Illustration of the beds. Using a sufficiently large diameter tubes throughout Some manu- two main scrub- the breathing loop, avoiding too many bends and elbows facturers ber architecture: and a radial scrubber all reduce resistive effort. Since a Axial or radial. large flat counter lung has a lower elastance than a long Red is exhaled narrow tube standing vertical in the water column, once air with CO 2. again the shoulder counter lung configuration seems to Green is ‘scrubbed’ gas offer the best trade-off. ■ Counterlungs

75 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Too small for Gas supply bailout What is channelling? All CCRs have a small tank of oxygen Channelling happens when the scrubber and a small tank for air or other dilu- material packs unevenly leading to the crea- ent. Some units are able to use dif- tion of a path—or ‘channel’—of least resist- ferent tank sizes, depending on what ance through which the may you find locally. Other manufacturers move as a focused flow without being properly make their units with a “hard-case”, filtered. This can lead to a CO2 breakthrough which leaves just enough room for a much sooner than the nominal duration time specific size and shape of cylinder. bottle for for the scrubber. The mere action of pouring Once again, size matters—even for bailout? rebreather tanks, as these tanks are When diving a rebreather, at any- Improper also being used for inflating BCD and thing but very shallow depths, a packaging of absorb- possibly a drysuit, too. And even if the separate should ent can rebreather diver carries an off-board always be carried. The diluent bot- bailout tank for emergencies, the on- create a tle, even when using a larger than channel board tank might also be used as a stardard diluent cylinder, does not backup in a bailout emergency. In provide an adequate bailout gas any case, the more gas, the better! supply for emergencies. The emer- the granular scrubber into the canister can gency bailout cylinder should be lead to some sorting of particles according to Electronics This photo is meant to illustrate the differences in length between the Evolution and an open circuit gas in a separate size, not unlike how stone, sand and gravel are This is the area in which the changes Evolution+ scrubbers but also clearly shows the typical tank configuration. The oxygen cylinder i.e in the form of a sling sorted out in zones on a beach. For this reason, tank is on the right. The diluent—in this case, air—is on the left. Tanks shown are 2-liter and advances have been the most tank. it is very important to go about filling the canis- impressive in the last few years. SCRs ter as instructed including tapping the canister and mCCRs usually display simple to make the material settle uniformly. Tapping pO2 readings. eCCRs, on the other Make sure you can easily it after transportation is usually also a good hand, tend to have more advanced read the most important idea. displays with redundant pO2 and set- point reading, built-in decompression information! Measuring CO2 softwares with Open Circuit bailout One of the main functions of a rebreather is capabilities, battery level indication, to filter out your exhaled CO2—the other is, O2 sensors voltage and even scrubber obviously, to provide you with the correct con- monitoring. Just centrations of oxygen. If CO2 builds up in the make sure you breathing loop, you’ll soon end up in a very can easily read Upgrades uncomfortable and dangerous scenario. So, the most impor- Can your electronics be upgraded? why not have a sensor monitoring CO2 in the tant information! Rebreathers constitute a substantial same manner that we have O2 sensors, may investment, so it is nice to know wheth- you ask? Because the necessary technology er it can be upgraded or updated and doesn’t yet exist.

at what cost. Fortunately, much of the Instead CO2, or rather the risk of scrubber software can now be upgraded by expenditure, is monitored in a roundabout

the user at home by downloading files way. As CO2 is being absorbed by the scrub- from the manu- ber, a chemical reaction takes place that facturer’s web- produces heat, which can be felt as warm site and install- band across the canister. The position of this ing them via Electronic display from warm band moves down the canister as the some interface. a Pelagian rebreather scrubber gets spent giving an indication of remaining scrubber duration. The position of Vision electronics this zone of active CO2 absorption can then for the Inspiration be traced by temperature sensors giving some and Evolution kind of readout to the diver. When the warm CCRs are up- zone gets closer to the bottom, the scrubber is gradable over Quite unique: Steam Machines use about to be spent and needs to be replaced. the internet an analogue pO2 meter as its sec- This technique, it should be stressed, says noth- ondary system on its Prism CCR ing about the actual CO2 content in the loop. ■

76 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Head up display (HUD) on a A bailout valve (BOV) allows you to Megalodon rebreather serves change from breathing from the closed Design Issues as an alert to any issues with the circuit to an independent open circuit. Manufacturers tend to place the oxy- unit the user should be made The BOV has a regulator second stage gen cell(s) close to the diver’s inhala- aware of or react to to be attached upon the rebreather tion in order to get the most accurate mouthpiece (not shown here). Changing information about what the diver will from closed to open circuit is then done by a flip of the switch actually be breathing. The loop is a with no need to remove the dynamic environment, and its content mouthpiece. is not the same everywhere within. How these sensors are physically placed in the unit to ensure accu- A BOV can either come as an rate readings of the O2-content and accessory that you can retrofit on avoid issues such as condensation on the unit such as the Golem Germ the sensor BOV mount shown on surface is the right. Or they come as a mat- a standard and integrated fea- ture as seen on the Poseidon / ter of CIS-Lunar Discovery (left) many con- sidera- Are there any other additional tions features I may want? and It is important for the prospective much HUD buyer to be aware of any third party dispute. Most of the rebreathers on the market Off-board plug-in Improper come with some forms of safety devices When it comes to gas supply and avoid- testing that has been done on the mixing of like visual and audible alarms. However, ing depletion, the more options you product; it is of course life support gases after O2 in- not all come with a Head-Up Display have, the better. Some rebreathers allow jection may lead to incorrect readings, (HUD), which is a very nice way to moni- you to plug in the loop any gas tank you equipment, so independent testing so does gas by pass. Also, it is a known tor your loop content without using your might find, as long as it has a standard and approvals are very important. issue that oxygen sensors read lower hands, something very handy when LP hose fitted. This gives you some flexibil- It is also a good idea to think of the than normal when they get damp. you take pictures, hold on a shotline in ity when dealing with what shouldn’t Many controllers (handsets) will provide a strong current, or play cards during a become an emergency with This is an adaptor that ena- company behind the product; you readouts from each cell so the user long decompression stop. a rebreather. bles a fourth and inde- need to know you will be able to get can somewhat diagnose their individu- pendent sensor i.e. one spares and support in the future and al performances and take appropriate BOV 4th sensor that is connected to a action in case of a malfunction. The A Bail-Out Valve is a rebreather mouth- Semi-closed Circuit dive computer—to be be sure the product is reliable and Poseidon / CIS-Lunar is significantly dif- mounted in a CCR. This piece combined with an open circuit rebreathers used to have ferent in this regard by only using one adaptor is for the Inspiration manufactured to a standard. regulator second stage. Even if you carry no form of electronics and Evolution CCRs —AP Valves main sensor. This sensor is then repeat- a bailout tank and regulator, this regula- whatsoever. Then divers dis- edly calibrated and checked against a tor might not be immediately available covered that an oxygen sen- sor flow of 100 percent oxygen. However, when you need it—you could be dan- might help them to better monitor their different manufacturers have different gling from something, entangled or the loop content. Some mCCRs have two opinions regarding the design of their bailout is already being used by your cells but problems arise when on of these units. buddy. The BOV gives you the ability to cells doesn’t agree with the other one. Which way is the gas flowing inside immediately switch to Open Circuit by Most eCCRs come with three oxygen the loop? Where is the oxygen injec- flipping a switch if something goes wrong sensors fitted, using what is called tion located (preferably not too close with your rebreather and you find your the “Voting Logic” to double check to the cells to avoid oxygen spikes breathing loop filled with an unbreath- their reading between each other (a when an injection occurs)? Where is able gas mix or even water. It is a highly faulty cell is voted out by the two oth- the diluent injection located (prefer- desirable extra feature, as some divers ers). Now, the idea might be to have ably not too far from the diver’s in- have reported that some symptoms of four cells fitted to eliminate any potential halation bag to provide him/her with intoxication showed up as the inability to situations where two cells display wrong a quick way to get fresh and safe to think properly and to quickly locate their information but are considered to be breather gas)? ■ alternate air source. right by the computer.

77 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED pO2-integrated computers

When it comes to constant pO2 dive comput- Recommended reading ers, most of divers immediately think about DIRrebreather published a book the VR3 made by Delta-P in the UK or the written by Cedric Verdier and American-made HS Explorer made from designed for Semi-Closed and Hydrospace Engineering, or Cochran’s Closed-Circuit rebreather divers. EMC-20H. Most of discussions The Rebreather I book is dedi- on the Internet focus on cated to nitrox rebreather div- these models, with some- ing and the basic principles and times strong arguments skills that every rebreather diver about the necessary should know and master. It cov- features and advan- ers some topics like balance tages of one or the other. and trim with a rebreather, VR3 Decompression model, Cochran EMC-20H , and proper Graphic User Interface, reliability, customer nitrox . service—it’s like toppings on a pizza, everybody has This book, along with other an opinion about what is good or bad. rebreather-specific books and manuals, is available on a dig- What else do I need to spend on? ital format at the DIRrebreather bookshop: www.dirrebreather. Air, oxygen and absorbent (soda lime) Computers menting good habits first. Rebreather div- com are the basic consumables. Absorbent A rebreather-friendly dive computer can ing is like horseback riding. It can be a lot DIRrebreather is a not-for-profit organization, and its goal is to promote safe comes in different brands, sizes and fla- also help you make the most of your unit of fun if you do it properly, but performed rebreather diving. The DIRrebreather Team focuses its work on designing stand- vours. Air and oxygen doesn’t. and take full advantage of the optimal wrongly, it can also be dangerous. A ard practice, equipment, techniques and procedures both for the novice and mix in your breathing loop. Several dive rebreather is, in fact, a bit like a horse—it the seasoned rebreather divers. DIRrebreather divers worldwide participate in Oxygen sensors have a limited life computers on the market have a con- seems to have a life on its own. You have rebreather-specific workshops and DIRrebreather-sponsored expeditions on span and need to be changed at least stant pO2 capability. Some even have to stay in charge at all times in order to wrecks and caves. For more information, contact [email protected] ■ every every 18 months. Batteries also the option to plug in an additional oxy- avoid being put at risk, which you need need to be changed at intervals as solar gen sensor for real-time pO2 calculation. to be aware of. cells don’t perform well underwater. But probably the most important ingredi- ent or purchase with your rebreather is a But that’s another topic… Tanks proper training course. It is not possible You’ll also need to consider a bailout to dive rebreathers safely without imple- tank with a regulator fitted. It doesn’t need to be a very big tank, unless you dive deep. One of the most popular bailout tanks for recreational rebreather divers is the aluminium 40cuft (5.5L), but it all depends on your open circuit gas consumption. You need to carry enough gas to safely ascend from your maximum depth and complete all your decom- pression, and still have some extra gas left in the tank (at least one third). So, which one is Masks and straps it going to be? Also consider some additional accesso- With so many ries like a neck strap or a full-face mask great brands P ETE r S ym E s that help to prevent you from and products to choose from, it should you fall unconscious underwater. can be a tough It may sound quite unlikely, and it is, but choice like safely belts in a car, it save lives when accidents do occur. You don’t think twice about buckling up when drive in a Full-face mask car, do you? GO l E m GE ar

78 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED This is a pre- Travelling with units packed With the never-ending tight- scrubber from ening of luggage allow- Poseidon / ances on flights, CIS-Lunar’s Discovery unit. and size becomes more of The way airfares a concern if you plan to are heading, bring your rebreather on a in the future, it dive trip. Tanks, even the will probably be small rebreather ones, far more com- are the first items you monplace to should leave at home. purchase such Not only are they bulky consumables on and weighty, but new air- location rather line regulations stipulate than carrying the extra weight that all scuba tanks should from home have their valves completely removed, and what that does for your oxygen cylinder is ruin the cleaning for oxygen service it has been through. Carrying a sufficient supply Look for ‘rebreather-friendly’ of scrubber also adds to bulk and weight, which might send operators the scales at the check-in coun- ter in the airport well into the red zone. So, even O2ptima CCR though these neatly packed and Tip: As tighter consumables ready to go weight limi- may cost tations on twice the going price you are airplanes used to paying at home, at your come into end destination, it is worth rent- effect in some ing tanks and buying scrubber on instances, it location. It doesn’t make much is sometimes of a difference on the bottom a cheaper line considering the price of the option to ship whole trip. Look for ‘rebreather- your gear friendly’ operators. There are ahead of you usually a bunch of these at each by land or major dive destination, and up- surface—and scale live-aboards usually cater less hassle, too for rebreather divers, too. Some even specialised in this field. ■

Look for “rebreather Other good-to-know friendly” operators websites when travelling with your units. It www.rebreatherworld.com may enable you to leave lots of the www.therebreathersite.nl heavy stuff back www.diveraid.com home and only www.DIRrebreather.com bring the essentials

79 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Megalodon Inspiration & Evolution Innerspace Systems, United States Diving, United Kingdom www.customrebreathers.com www.ambientpressurediving.com The ‘Meg’ is another unit that has gained quite some popularity. It is a Following Dräger’s massive but aborted effort modular design contructed around in the 1990s to make rebreathers common- a sturdy aluminum tube, which sup- place on the market, Ambient Pressure ports the scrubber, head and cylin- Diving is the brand that saw it through. ders. This allows for a wide range of Their rebreathers with their characteristic cylinders to be used, although the yellow shell can now regularly be seen standard cylinders are Luxfer alumi- at many dive centers, resorts and num 19s as well as different harnesses around the world. The or backplates and wings. The single- various makes of Inspiration and its tank adapter (STA) allows standard more compact younger sibling, backplates and BCDs to be used. Evolution, is without question the This makes the unit very easy to travel most mass-manufactured units with, as it enables the user to bring on the market. The first make of only the essential part on trips where Inspiration was marketed back restrictive luggage allowances are in 1997, but it has undergone a a concern. To cater for the travel- steady improvement ever since. lers, the manufacturer—InnerSpace The year 2005 saw the introduc- Systems—has also produced a com- tion of the smaller Evolution at pacter version nicknamed the mini- about two-thirds of the size of Meg. The entire system, not includ- the Inspiration. This unit also intro- ing cylinders, can be packed into duced the advanced ‘Vision’ control a hard case that will fit in an airline electronics, which integrated the two overhead luggage compartment. handsets the classic Inspiration had into The standard scrubber is an axial one compact unit, which also had a built- design, but a radial scrubber canister in dive computer with nitrox and is now also offered. The control unit, capabilities. Another new feature of the the electronics, consists of the head Vision electronics was a Head Up Display that sits in the core—which contains and temperature gauge on the scrubber the O2 sensors, electronics, batteries unit. A short while later, Vision electronics and solenoid—and two handsets and were also offered for the Inspiration, so the a head-up display mounted on the main difference between the two was the size. mouthpiece. Price not listed. ■ Evolution uses 2-liter cylinders and a shorter scrubber unit, whereas Inspiration uses 3-liter cylinders. After the Inspiration offered advantages in scrubber duration, and the Evolution offered advantages in size and weight, a hybrid size—the Evolution+—was offered. The Evolution+ com- Submatrix bines the 2-litre cylinders from the Evolution and the larger scrubber as Submatrix, Germany used on the Inspiration—all housed in a new specially-designed case. www.submatix.com Prices start at £ 4695 (incl VAT) ■ Submatix is a German manufacturer who places emphasis on ease of use, safety, easy maintenance and being uncompli- cated to dive. They are also convertible and can be configured Isolation Valve as an easy SCR system for the ambitious scuba diver as well as a This little thingy goes in demanding emCCR system for the tecnical divers. New units are between your LP regulator being marketed in September as this magazine goes to press, so hose and the second stage check back with the manufacturer’s website. The new units have

regulator/ADV. This enables a new pO2-monitor, ‘oxyscan’, and come with a newly designed

you to shut off the con- case that encloses the whole unit. A new pO2-monitor with inte- nection in case of a free grated dive computer SPX 42 is expected to ship in the beginning flow or other problem of 2009. Prices for complete units: mCCR = € 4,800; emCCR100 SPX 42 system = from €5,000 ■

80 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Kiss & Sport rEVO Jetsam Technologies, rEvo rebreathers, Belgium Canada www.revo-rebreathers.com www.kissrebreathers.com The main feature that sets this Belgian-made rebreather apart ‘Safety in Simplicity’ is the from the lot is the double scrubber units and independent pro-

motto that greets the visi- grammable PO2 monitors with head-up displays. The two scrub- tor to the manufacturer’s bers, being placed in sequence, are said to offer more protec- website. The name of tion against chan- nelling as well as a better scrubber econ- their rebreather stems omy. The oxygen is injected via a fixed orifice from the well known with constant flow. The diver

acronym, ‘Keep it Simple has to monitor the pO2 and Stupid’ (KISS). The KISS manually inject additional units, which come as oxygen as needed. This the Classic KISS and KISS unit has back-mounted Sport, both are mCCRs counter lungs. In order that constantly feed to keep breathing oxygen into the loop effort to a minimum, the unit comes with a specially designed backplate, which brings through an orifice but the counterlung as close to the diver’s body as possible. In March 2008, a new hybrid also require the diver electronic rebreather was introduced. As the manufacturer states: “The Hybrid mode to also manually add combines the advantages of the stable mCCR constant mass flow, with a PPO2 con- oxygen. The monitor- troller that tracks the PPO2 towards the desired setpoint.” The hybrid unit is equipped ing displays have three independent, backlit PPO2 displays. Each with both a gas flow orifice fed by an absolute pressure regulator and a solenoid valve display has its own housing, battery and sensor, making the system controlled electronically. This enables the unit to be used in any desired mode from pure completely redundant. The batteries are user changeable. Each mCCR up to fully electronic eCCR without the depth limitation linked to the absolute display can be replaced independently, and spares are easily pressure used in mCCR systems. affordable. Since the rEvo is a manually operated closed circuit rebreather, it cannot be CE certi- Both KISS units use two individual back-mounted counterlungs, fied. For this reason, the rEvo is not yet commercialised within the CE zone, but only pro- which are attached to the scrubber head from the inside of the duced for export. However, the manufacturers have informed us that they are now work- counterlung case. The units have different canister designs. The ing towards having the electronic control version CE certified. This is estimated to happen Classic scrubber canister has an axial flow design, which holds by the end of 2009. ■ approximately six pounds of absorbent. The gas flows down the center of the scrubber tube, and then comes up through the scrubber material where the carbon dioxide is scrubbed out. The Sport canister has a Watch out for eBay Scams which makes it harder for eBay to spot Hammerhead bi-axial design, which holds Juegensen Marine, United States approximately five pounds Rebreathers on eBay seem to attract • Zero or low feedback www.rebreather.us (2.3 kg) of absorbent. The a high number of scam artists. The You may say that this is a controller that has the gas flows from the exhaust classic tactics used by the scammers • Re-used photos and text. Have you rest of a rebreather attached to it. Juergensen hose into the canister and are fairly easy to spot if you look for seen it before? Is it a stock photo? Marine specializes in developing and supplying lung below, and then passes some telltale signs: controller electronics to other rebreathers—and through to the next canister • Suspicious methods of payment that to the US Military—the Optima from Dive Rite to and lung, and back out the • Hiding the identity of bidders, which are untracable mention one. Juergensen has also produced inhalation hose. A variety of prevents other eBayers from warning upgrades and kits to a number of other makes. cylinder sizes can be used. victims • Wrong category. Check the seller’s Their own rebreather has some resemblance to Kiss Classic CAD 5700 other listings. Does the seller have a lot the Megalodon but is highly configurable. There Kiss Sport CAD 4600 ■ • Requirement for buyers to be pre- of high-end stuff with similar charac- is, for example, a choice between over-the qualified. Once contacted, the teristics? shoulder counter lungs and backmounted coun- scammer will offer you a special deal. ter-lungs. The scrubber is radial. The controller, If they offer you an off-line deal, report • Is it an exceptionally good deal? which is also a full trimix computer, uses the usual them. Even on eBay: If it seems to good to three sensors for primary control, but a fourth can be true... ■ be added for independent monitoring by • A short auction time of 1-5 days, SOurCE: eBay a separate computer. ■

81 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Discovery Poseidon Diving Systems. Sweden www.poseidon.se When Poseidon entered the closed circuit market, they did it with a splash introducing a ground-braking first eCCR aimed specifically at sport divers rather than technical divers and packed with novel design features. The unit is very compact and priced significantly lower than mainstream CCRs closing much of the price gap to a set of open cir- cuit equipment. Above all the manufacturer has gone to great lengths to make the unit as foolproof, user friendly and failsafe as possible. The intention is to make it as much of a don-and-dive unit for sportdiv- ers without technical training as possible. It has also been designed with entry level training in mind. Poseidon took over the renowned CIS- Lunar brand some years ago and tied in the expertise from Bill Stone and as consultants during the development, which went on for several years. The Discovery introduces many new design fea- tures and ideas. The compact control unit is completely sealed and oilfilled and cannot be accessed, or messed around with, by the user. The battery is rechargeable like a cellphone and visible from the outside where a diode shows that the battery is charged. The unit uses special scrubber canisters, so no messing around with granules or risking pack- ing the scrubber the wrong way. The oxygen cylinder can only be filled to 100bar. This is to ensure that the scrubber always outlasts the gas. The idea is that you always change scrubber and refill oxygen in tandem, at the same time. But what is probably to Taking it from most significant devia- the begiinning tion or development from mainstream thinking is the Diving without Bubbles use of only one main sen- sor. The other sensor the unit carries is for the This book takes a very different approach in two detection of internal ways. It starts at the beginning assuming that the leaks. The manufac- reader knows nothing or very little about rebreathers Prism 2 turer explains that but is interested in the subject. This makes the book Hollis Gear, United States they have chosen a good supplement to training manuals—there are www.hollisgear.com going with one sensor plenty of illustrations and down-to-earth explana- The Hollis Prism 2 is based on the ground-braking design from Steam only because the logic tions. The other thing that sets this book apart is that Machines with the ongoing development aimed at improving and behind the convention- it focuses on one product model—the Inspiration. maturing the design for mass production. Hollis chose the Prism al three sensor and vot- Whilst these units are probably the best selling CCRs because it is the only commercially available unit meeting (US) mili- ing logic configuration on the market, this will probably put off fans and tary standards. The Steam machines are also unique in the way that has been demonstrated manufacturers of other units from buying this book, they offer two completely different and independent systems of moni- to be somewhat which would be a shame, really. It does get around toring O2. One system is electronic with LED displays; the other is an flawed. Why focus on an amazing amount of issues and is packed with analogue meter that reads directly of the sensors. This allows the user getting correct read- good tips and things worthwhile considering without to still operate the unit even in the unlikely case of a total electronic ings when you can ever getting heavy. The design does come across failure. The analogue meter is calibrated with a rotary switch using a rule out sensor errors? a little homemade in places, but so what? It’s the simple potentiometer measuring the small currents generated by the This is the philosophy. This is content that matters, and the combined knowl- sensors. Features include sealed electronics, radial scrubber design for achieved by constantly val- edge of the four authors—who are all leading tech- lower resistive breathing effort and more efficient scrubber use and idating the sensor against nical divers drawing on a range of other experts— over the shoulder counterlungs for decreased work of breathing. The pure oxygen. poured into this book is rock solid. ■ primary HDD (Heads-Down Display) is a battery driven sequential LED The first production for continuous hands-free monitoring. ■ units are expected to be www.divingwithoutbubbles.com shipped in September. ■

82 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED O2ptima Pelagian DiveRite, United States Rebreather Labs, Thailand www.diverite.com www.rebreatherlab.com The O2ptima FX is an electonic The Pelagian is deemed a DCCCR. This impressive CCR with built-in decompression acronym stands for Diver Controlled Closed Circuit ability, which has primarily been Rebreather, which essentially means that this unit designed with diving in overhead is not controlled by an automatic electronic environments in mind, such as circuit for maintaining the right oxygen-levels. or any technical dive In other words, it’s an advanced mCCR. where an immediate ascent to The oxygen is injected into the breathing loop the surface is not possible. The The significance through a valve, which the diver can vary. design seeks to minimize the risk of of the CE marking Quoting the their website: “This means that oxy- a caustic cocktail. Two water traps gen is added mechanically through a fine meter- in the loop along with horizontal, In the European Union, ing needle valve at a constant flow set slightly lower behind-the-head positioning of the any equipment that than the diver’s metabolic rate. As the PO2 slowly drops scrubber canister, create a difficult falls within the scope the diver manually adds oxygen with a push button.” It is The needle path for water to travel, hence mak- of the EU Directive on an approach somewhat related to what is seen in many ing it difficult for water to penetrate Personal Protection semi-closed rebreathers. But while these have a fixed ori- the canister chamber. A high impact Equipment (PPE) must fice with a constant gas flow, in this case, the diver can frame and polyester cover protects be tested and certified fine tune the flow by adjusting the needle valve while the O2ptima from tight cave squeezes according the current monitoring the PO2 on the O2 displays. and rolling boats. Hoses, regulators CE standard. The Pelagian Head has space for three cells sitting and tanks are kept neatly streamlined next to each other, which are all subject to instant cell and away from potential snags inside a In this case, the validation. The Pelagian display shows two cells. The wreck or cave. The controller is fitted with EN14143:2003 covers third cell is usually connected to a decompression com- Hammerhead electronics from Juergensen all rebreathers and puter, type Pursuit, VR3, etc. The idea is to keep the third Marine. The unit has over-the-shoulder also all PPO2 monitors cell completely isolated from the Pelagian display circuits counter lungs. Other standard features for use with a rebreath- so that, no matter what may happen with either the include Heads-up-display (HUD), Display er that are imported, Pelagian display or the computer, none will Integrated Vibrating Alarm (DIVA), Dive manufactured, sold or compromise the other. Surface Valve (DSV) and Automatic used in work in Europe. Another feature that is unique to this unit Diluent Valve (ADV). The US MSRP is is the position of the counterlungs. They are $7000 (cylinders are not included). ■ Any person or com- front-mounted but also partly tucked away pany that is importing, under the diver’s arms keeping the chest manufacturing, selling area free of clutter and minimizing the or using equipment work of breathing. There is no manual without the CE mark diluent valve but a ADV on top of the can be prosecuted. scrubber unit. Also worthwhile noting Sale can be banned are the small dimensions and low and goods seized, and weight of the unit, which weighs in case of an accident only 10.5 kg—a package small involving the use of enough to fit in an over- the equipment, crimi- head compartment in an nal charges can be airplane. It can accommo- brought to the direc- date tank sizes from 1.8 - 11 tors of the involved liters. company. The manufacturer, Rebreather Labs, which is based Clearly, obtaining in Thailand, informed us that they the approval and CE do not plan on getting the unit marking is a serious CE tested in the near future. matter. ■ Listed at USD 5800. ■

83 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Halcyon RB80 Ouroboros & Sentinel Halcyon, United States Closed Circuit Research, United Kingdom Sentinel www.halcyon.net www.ccrb.co.uk The Halcyon RB80 is something quite unique The Ouroboros is a high-end and high-performance and not a rebreather in the usual sense. CCR designed for the most demanding dives and It blends features and advantages from divers with a long list of stringent requirements to open circuit with the rebreather’s capa- be met. For example, it is argued that the choice bilities of preserving gas. The name of back-mounted counterlungs also allows all the RB80 refers to the standard 80 cu ft soft—in the sense of being vunerable—parts of a tanks utilized by the system and its rebreather to be tucked away under a protec- designer Rainhard Buchaly. The RB80 tive shell, which makes the unit safer on wrecks has been designed with reliability in full of sharp bits. Materials are resistant to corro- mind. Adhering to the DIR principles, it is sive agents, all cable systems being floodproof www .H al C y O n . ET not reliant on electronics. The Halcyon and double armoured, and so forth. rebreather supplies breathing gas as The current model is the fourth generation, required by the diver’s respiratory rate since it was introduced in 2004. The unit can be and gas replenishment is mechanically used with a range of from air triggered by the diver’s breathing cycle. through Trimix to . All The Halcyon “on demand” gas delivery sys- electronic features can tem is designed to provide less oxygen vari- be overridden by using ation, better predictability and overall signifi- the manual functions of cant performance advantages over other the unit. The unit com- SCR platforms. On their website, Halcyon prises a central compu- states that their patented technology significantly ter with a head-up dis-

reduces oxygen content variations over a wide play (HUD), a primary www .TECH n O l gyind EPTH.CO m range of diver activity levels. Moreover, this display for control on-demand feature is coupled with and monitoring, a naturally intuitive “alarm” feature, and a rear facing which provides the diver with an display for buddy immediate and obvious indication or instructor use. that supply gasses are depleted or There is also an that rebreather function is somehow independent compromised. There is no diluent passive display either, so in a sense, what this unit not connected to essentially does is extend the gas of the main electronics, an open circuit by recirculating it a which has its own power number of times before exhalation. Ouroboros source and displays each This system increases gas efficiency of the three oxygen cell read- an average of eight times more ings. Loss of any or all electronic dis- than conventional open circuit plays will not stop the unit maintaining state of the art closed circuit rebreather with fully consumption. The RB80 is offered a ‘life support’ PO2 level. integrated decompression software, integrated with a dual inlet gas manifold The Ouroboros is a modular design. bailout valve, digital HP monitor system, heads up that allows divers the ability to The primary layout is a back mount- display and a host of user selectable upgrades. plug various gasses into the sys- ed system in a hard carbon shell. The Sentinel is competitively priced with three tem, and change them during Lightweight cordura covers are levels to choose from: Airdiluent(40m), Normoxic the dive as conditions and/or available with differing canister sizes Trimix(60m) and full Trimix(100m) enabled. The depth vary. or allow for the use of as well as a chest mounted counter counterlungs are back mounted, and where its various bottle sizes. Divers may use lung configuration. bigger sibling has a radial scrubber, the Sentinel’s any mix that would be appropriate In 2007, the smaller and more is axial. ■ for open circuit diving, gaining the ben- affordable Sentinel was pre- efit of the rebreather by greatly extending the sented, and it has just made the Ouroboros is listed at £8250 (incl. VAT) mileage a diver would get out of the supply. ■ market. It is also fully electronic Sentinel listings start at £4,500 (incl. VAT)

84 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED