Longer Dives? Discover Rebreather Diving!
Do you feel that your underwater dives are too short and you would like to explore more time underwater? Rebreather diving is for you! This type of diving in Lanzarote will allow you to enjoy a unique experience, extending your dive times while immersing yourself in the beauty of the underwater world.
In addition, you will enjoy greater flexibility and mobility underwater, without having to worry about the noise of the bubbles you emit. All this, thanks to the air recirculation system provided by the rebreather.
But what exactly is rebreather diving? How does it work? In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about this type of diving, its basic elements, advantages, disadvantages and what you should consider before you start. Are you ready to become an even more experienced diver? Read on and venture further with rebreather diving!
What is Rebreather Diving?
Rebreather diving is nothing more than a technique that allows you to dive longer, quieter and with fewer bubbles. And how is this possible? With specialized equipment (called a rebreather) that recycles and reuses the air you exhale.
To achieve this, a significantly larger gas supply is also used, albeit in a compact package compared to what we load into a scuba tank for a traditional open-circuit dive.
In this way, the air is filtered and mixed with pure oxygen before being inhaled again, reducing the need for decompression stops and allowing you to get closer to the marine life without disturbing it.
Thanks to all the factors mentioned above, this type of diving is ideal for technical dives and underwater photography, as it allows you to stay longer in the water and have a closer contact with the different species you find in the depths.
Many of these creatures would normally shy away from the noise of the bubbles produced by conventional scuba equipment, but this is not something to worry about when rebreather diving.
However, this diving without bubbles through this technique requires some specialization. In order to practice this modality, you must take specific training, as it implies taking into consideration more factors compared to common diving.
It is necessary to learn about the equipment, its operation and maintenance, as well as advanced diving techniques.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rebreather in Diving
✅ Advantages.
- Longer dive time: Thanks to air recirculation, you can dive longer compared to scuba diving.
- Less fizzing: By not expelling the air used in breathing, fizzing is reduced, which makes marine animals feel less intimidated, thus favoring the approach to the surrounding species.
- Quieter: By reducing the bubbling, the sound of the equipment also decreases, allowing for a quieter and more relaxing experience.
- Allows diving in deeper areas: The rebreather allows divers to explore deeper areas without having to worry as much about the time limits imposed by conventional air supply.
❌Disadvantages.
- Greater complexity: The rebreather requires more complex and sophisticated equipment than traditional scuba equipment, which means that more technical knowledge and experience is required for its use.
- Cost: The price of rebreather equipment is usually significantly higher than traditional scuba equipment.
Types of Rebreather - Which one to choose?
There are different types of rebreathers, but they all have in common the ability to recycle and reuse exhaled air.
Some of the most common types are closed-loop and semi-closed-loop. The former are those that recycle all exhaled air, while the latter add fresh air to maintain a constant amount of oxygen.
Below, we will explain in more depth how they work:
Closed-circuit rebreather: This focuses on recycling all the air exhaled by the diver. Some bubbles escape but only during ascents in order to let the expanded gas escape. It is recommended for technical diving and for experienced divers who wish to prolong their time underwater. This type of equipment requires two gas supplies, a diluent (usually air) and 100% oxygen.
Semi-closed circuit rebreather: This type of rebreather combines elements of the open and closed circuit, recycling only a portion of the gas you exhale. This equipment will allow you to adjust the oxygen levels in the gas mixture to modify it according to environmental conditions and extend the depth range. During the dive the bubbles will escape in a stream or in small quantities, but they will not be too many and they will not obstruct your vision by generating near your face. In this case only a gas supply (enriched air) is needed, which is usually EANx36 .
What are the Basic Elements of Rebreather Equipment?
Each type of rebreather has its specific characteristics, but they all have in common certain equipment including the following elements:
Gas cylinder: Allows you to store the breathing gas to be used during the dive. The contents may vary depending on the type of rebreather being used, but generally it is air or gas mixtures such as nitrox.
Counterlung: A device used to regulate airflow and control breathing. The counterlung helps maintain smooth and steady breathing and allows the diver to control the amount of air entering and leaving the lungs.
Valves: These are vital components in the rebreather system. They are used to control the flow of gases in and out of the system. Valves can be manual or automatic and usually have a number of built-in safety mechanisms to ensure that gas flow is safe and efficient.
Mouthpiece: Through this element the diver inhales and exhales breathable air. It is the only point of entry and exit of air for the diver. Mouthpieces are usually customized and adapted to the mouth of the user to ensure a tight seal.
Oxygen sensor: Continuously measures the amount of oxygen in the breathing mixture and transmits the information to the rebreather control system. It is a key part that ensures that the breathing mixture is safe and within the established safety limits.
It is important to ensure that all items of rebreather equipment are in good condition and used properly before diving.
Is Rebreather Diving For You?
Rebreather diving is recommended in several cases. For example, it is ideal if you want to dive longer and reduce the number of decompression stops required.
This mode is also perfect if you want to minimize air bubbles released into the water, which can be beneficial to avoid scaring fish and other aquatic animals, as well as to dive more quietly and with less interference with the underwater environment.
In the latter case, rebreather diving is usually best suited for specialized photographers who want to explore quietly and avoid bubbles. It is even considered suitable for people with hearing sensitivities whose experience may be affected by the sound of bubbles.
In addition to the above cases, rebreather diving is also a suitable alternative for deeper water exploration, as rebreathers can provide different and customized gas mixtures that allow greater flexibility to adjust to environmental conditions.
If you identify yourself with any of the above cases, congratulations! Rebreather diving has incredible experiences in store for you.
How to Prepare for Rebreather Diving? - Practical Guide
Great! You're determined to try rebreather diving. But before you jump in the water, make sure you're prepared by following these steps:
- Research: Before buying or renting a rebreather, learn about the different options available and read about the experiences of other rebreather divers. It is also important to research the features of each model, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
- Learn how to use it: If you already have your rebreather, be sure to read the instruction manual carefully and learn how to use it correctly. It is absolutely necessary to take a rebreather diving course with a certified instructor to get proper training and practice this modality safely.
- Test the equipment: Before diving in open water, be sure to test each piece of equipment in a pool or confined water. Perform some simple exercises, such as diving to different depths or changing positions, to make sure the equipment is working properly and you feel comfortable with it. Even before diving after these tests, practice locating and operating all the controls on your rebreather. This includes opening and closing the mouthpiece, oxygen cylinder screamer and diluent; testing the diluent and oxygen injector; the variable overpressure valve and the rest of the elements that make up your equipment.
- Prepare your supplies: Make sure you have enough supplies for your dive, including gas, ballast, the right harness, etc. It is important to always carry enough spare equipment in case of emergencies.
- Keep your equipment in good condition: After each dive, it is important to properly wash and dry each element of the rebreather. It is also important to periodically check and maintain the equipment to make sure everything is working properly.
By following these steps, you'll be well prepared to enjoy the exciting world of rebreather diving.
If you have any questions about this modality, don't think twice and tell us in the comments. We will be happy to answer you 😉.
