Northwest Dive Club

After my Rebreather intro, I've been looking to get a hybrid Revo 3, but just havent found the price I wanted yet.

While stumbling about the web, I found an older post with a nearly KISS GEM (1 pool dive only) for a killer deal, w/shearwater computer.

I hummed and hawed for abit, as I really wanted a CCR rebreather. But, I really have no intention of getting back into tech diving again, and figure 90+ % of my diving will be with OC folks, plus I was looking into SM for longer dives,so the GEM appealed to me. Fast forward a few days and probably 50 PM's to my trusted rebreather expert Camerone, I picked up the GEM.

With this, I can dive with any OC folks on doubles, without carrying all the weight of doubles on my back. Yea, I'll have to bolt on probably 6-8 pounds of lead, but I dropped 4 pounds anyways with my Thermal fusion anyways. I've got a gas switchblock coming from Australia so I can do gas switches for deeper dives, and Mike Young at Kiss tells me the 8:1 mouthpiece and a 5.5lb user refillable scrubber are soon to be released, which then finally catches the GEM up to other pSCR's like the Tres Presidentes, Satori, Azimuth, or other SCR's. Guys have been taking these bad boys to 300ft.

While I have no real desire to get that deep, 200ft is my next goal. Now to get an O2 deco tank, and some way to boost O2 from a tank,or else use EAN40 and have to do longer deco I guess.

Plus get the compressor setup for trimix (almost there, got the 2nd stick, need to get Helium tank, flowmeter and O2 box and sensor for mixing 21/35).

But before I go crazy, I guess I do at least have to finally get nitrox certified, and take my GEM class...

So the 12th is my class with craig at silent world to try this bad boy out. I'll update this thread as things progress.

[sarcasm]Before you go crazy?[/sarcasm]

How is this not getting into tech diving?

Before you go crazy????? Hmmmm?

Look at Capt jack"s listing, He has 3 al 80 stages for sale, 2 with stage kits already
http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18624

Jeremy wrote:How is this not getting into tech diving?

Fair question, I guess in reality it is.

Anyways, deeper that recreational limit dives are a ways in the future yet (training, equipment,etc), but I wanted to make sure what I got will allow me to dive a few of the deep dives I want to do.

Linedog wrote:[sarcasm]Before you go crazy?[/sarcasm]

my wife would agree with you right now...

Dusty2 wrote:Before you go crazy????? Hmmmm?

Look at Capt jack"s listing, He has 3 al 80 stages for sale, 2 with stage kits already
http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18624

thx Dusty had noticed that, but for now I need a couple of 40's.

Jeff Pack wrote: thx Dusty had noticed that, but for now I need a couple of 40's.

One on CL this am for $100....

[sarcasm]I'm sure this will be alot cheaper than sidemount![/sarcasm]

Nwbrewer wrote: One on CL this am for $100....

Kinda pricey for used you can get brand new for $135 from Leisure pro

Jeff Pack wrote:

Dusty2 wrote:Before you go crazy????? Hmmmm?

Look at Capt jack"s listing, He has 3 al 80 stages for sale, 2 with stage kits already
http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18624

thx Dusty had noticed that, but for now I need a couple of 40's.

Why would you use a 40 with the GEM?

K

CaptnJack wrote:

Jeff Pack wrote:

Dusty2 wrote:Before you go crazy????? Hmmmm?

Look at Capt jack"s listing, He has 3 al 80 stages for sale, 2 with stage kits already
http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18624

thx Dusty had noticed that, but for now I need a couple of 40's.

Why would you use a 40 with the GEM?

Deco gas(s)

Nwbrewer wrote:

Jeff Pack wrote: thx Dusty had noticed that, but for now I need a couple of 40's.

One on CL this am for $100....

100$ used, and no hydro. as dusty I think said, scubatoys, etc, a new isnt alot more

Jeff -

Caveat - I have never met you and have no firm idea what your intentions or purposes are other than what you said here in your original post in this thread. I have no way of knowing what you already know or have been informed of. Having said that....

I was at the original presentation at DEMA when KISS announced the availability of the GEM. In addition to the presentation, I was able to interview both the designer of the GEM as well as the owner of KISS Manufacturing. It is an amazing unit, but your description of your intentions doesn't quite match with what I have been told and read about the device.

Have you seen the GEM User's Manual? If not, here's a link: http://www.kissrebreathers.com/images/PDF/GEMmanual.pdf

The manual makes it crystal clear that the GEM is designed to be used at recreational depths. KISS designed it to break in to the recreational market and to make rebreathers more mainstream. For level 1, (which it seems you are signed up for), the recommended gas is EANx 36%, but a range of EANx 32 to EANx 40 can be used. This would limit the user to the same Maximum Operationg Depths (MOD) as an "ordinary" Nitrox diver. Use of these gases would enable a GEM diver to spend FAR more time underwater than an OC diver, but would simultaneously severely limit the maximum depth just as Nitrox does.

The technical discussions that I have heard and read in the various tech diving and CCR communities involving the GEM have been centered on using it as bail-out, (for example, using one GEM and one AL80 tank rather than multiple tanks). Such applications would fall within the realm of Level 2 instruction, which as I understand it has not yet been finalized and is not yet even available. Thus, I have no clue as to what is specifically included in Level 2 instruction or what gases might be used.

If your goal is to make it to 200 FSW, you need to look at and consider other options rather than thinking of the GEM as your primary unit. You mentioned Craig Willemsen at Silent World as your instructor - good choice. He can guide you in a direction that will help you reach whatever goals you eventually settle on.

- John

KISS has further plans in the works for the GEM.

These involve the 8:1 mouthpiece, bigger scrubber, and gas switching, all to accomodate deeper dives, to get the GEM comparible to other pSCR's already out there. (and these are doing 300ft dives)

You are correct, in that the "original" market was rec only. But the above is direct from Mike Young. Level 2 training is "in the works".

So appreciate the info and caution. I am working with Craig on this as well.

Jeff,

Please listen to John Rawlings.

Crawl, walk, run...

and really?!? Craig (Owner of Silent World, just so we have our Craig's straight) working with you to take the KISS GEM to 200'?

I highly doubt it.

I just said I'm working with Craig on my GEM, not on any specifics. Sorry for the misread.

Since there's no level 2 course yet, nor even the upgrades yet.

thx.

Jeff Pack wrote:KISS has further plans in the works for the GEM.

These involve the 8:1 mouthpiece, bigger scrubber, and gas switching, all to accomodate deeper dives, to get the GEM comparible to other pSCR's already out there. (and these are doing 300ft dives)

You are correct, in that the "original" market was rec only. But the above is direct from Mike Young. Level 2 training is "in the works".

So appreciate the info and caution. I am working with Craig on this as well.

I am already aware of all of that. My point is that since none of what you describe is even available yet, it would be a good idea to get your Nitrox certification before describing all of the wonderful things you will eventually do.

I'm not trying to cause any problems with you....far from it....I'm just trying to point out that, so far as I am aware, no one has ever done what you describe with a GEM.

Have a great time with your training!

- John

Jeff Pack wrote:I just said I'm working with Craig on my GEM, not on any specifics. Sorry for the misread.

Since there's no level 2 course yet, nor even the upgrades yet.

thx.

Looks like our posts crossed. Looks like you understand that the GEM is a relatively new product...with potential.

Again....I hope that you enjoy your training!

No worries! I should have made that more clearer than I did.

BTW, Kiss Level 1 requires a Nitrox Cert.

Jeff Pack wrote:No worries! I should have made that more clearer than I did.

BTW, Kiss Level 1 requires a Nitrox Cert.

I've dived a KISS for years, KISS Classic # 222. All rebreather training has Nitrox as a prerequisite, as does OC technical training. Since a rebreather is basically a gas blending machine that you lug around on your back, it makes sense to have students understand the basic idea behind the use of Nitrox and all the repercussions that go along with it.

I really wanted a CCR rebreather, but in looking at what I need today, what I'd like to do tomorow, a CCR would be like buying a ferrari, and just driving it about the house.

The GEM negates the need to go SM, and I can now dive with friends on doubles.

Once the GEM catches up with other pSCR's, I can do more advanced dives. so I think for me, its the best of both.

ask me again in a year though when I get a rEvo...

Hey Jeff, when's your garage sale?

Moved to the tech diving forum. Carry on!