You’ve seen films where they’re featured, you’ve heard about how underwater photographers take advantage of them, and you’ve even seen other divers using them: Rebreathers are everywhere these days. Are you considering diving in silence with the help of a rebreather? If you’re still on the fence about whether rebreather diving is for you, you may change your mind after hearing about the advantages.
Get Up Close and Personal With Marine Life - Rebreather Diving Advantages
Unless you’re a military diver on a serious mission, stealth might not be on your mind at all while scuba diving. But staying silent with the help of a rebreather gives you a stealthy advantage, whether you’re into swimming with the fishes or photographing them at close proximity. Without the noise of exhaled bubbles and the sound of your demand valve, you blend almost seamlessly into the underwater world. Suddenly, you’re no longer viewed with suspicion, and you can get up close and personal with marine life. Get right into a school of fish, hang out at a cleaning station, and enjoy neutral buoyancy even while you breathe normally.
Enjoy Longer Bottom Time - Rebreather Diving Advantages
Rebreather diving is different from SCUBA diving in some important ways. Chief among these is the ability to enjoy longer bottom times, thanks to a dramatically increased air supply. If you’re into photography, you’ll love taking longer dives because you’ll be able to get more photos; if you are filming, you’ll be able to capture more action. If you’re simply diving for fun, you’ll enjoy more scenic views and have a greater chance of crossing paths with rare marine animals. If you just happen to be a big diver with large lung capacity and you’re tired of always having to be the first on to get back on the dive boat, your rebreather will allow you to be the last one to egress instead of the first.
Stop Breathing Cold, Dry Air - Rebreather Diving Advantages
One thing many divers find irritating is the cold, dry air that comes from a standard cylinder. With a rebreather, this annoyance becomes a thing of the past. Your rebreather doesn’t just scrub the air you exhale, it also keeps much of the moisture that leaves your body with each exhalation intact, and it preserves some of the body heat that exits during exhalation as well. The air you inhale from a rebreather is warm, fairly moist, and comfortable to breathe. If you often suffer from feelings of dehydration during scuba adventures, breathing that dry air may be a major contributing factor. While staying hydrated remains of great importance for rebreather divers, total body comfort and reduced risk of dehydration are definitely positive considerations.
Get Technical - Rebreather Diving Advantages
Do you want to be a wreck diver or cave diver? Are you hoping to reach new depths? If so, switching to a rebreather will make technical dives easier and somewhat safer. Divers who use rebreathers do have some special safety considerations to keep in mind and having an appropriate bailout on hand is definitely important. At the same time, the opportunities for adventure increase the minute you switch to a rebreather.
Many dive shops offer discover rebreather opportunities, and it’s clear that rebreather diving is here to stay. Think rebreather diving might be for you? Contact your scuba shop to see what steps you’ll need to take to give a rebreather a try.