Mini Breather - Do you need training?

amf

amf

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Saw these at SIBS and in this months MBM. Could be useful for the odd bit of hull cleaning and propeller defouling. Anyone tried one? Not knowing anything about diving, what training would you need (if any) to do this and maybe some "close to the surface" dives?

MINI-B-40.jpg
 
Q: Do I need to be a certified diver to use the Mini-B?
A: you MUST be a certified scuba diver or be under supervision by a professional to dive with a Mini-B
 
Using this without being qualified or under qualified supervision can end with bad effects! im a qualified diver and i have even seen people use these who are certified to use them and things have gone wrong....trust me not a nice sight!
 
I think "must" is a bit strong. AFAIK there is no actual legislation covering this. You will certainly need some form of qualification if you wish to dive with any organisation, however doing it on your own is I believe still Ok - but extremely foolhardy

Please let us know if you intend to do so, so that we can start compiling the application for a Darwin Award.
 
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I think "must" is a bit strong

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This was really what I was getting at. I had read the FAQ on the web site but questioned whether for hull inspection type work it was really necessary.

From my (admittedly naive) standpoint nothing stops me putting on wet suit/face mask and snorkel and diving under the boat to inspect hull etc, but as soon as I want to put a tank on my back to do it, I need training /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Not wishing to win 1st prize in the Darwin awards however /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, can anyone recommend a suitable training establishment Hampshire/South Coast?
 
The highest diffreential pressure is in the first 10 M of water, so here you will find the highest risks..... Not for "the bends", but loss of boyancy control and subsequent "bust" lungs caused by holding your breath (not exhaling) when ascending, ...,not pretty at all and usually ends up with extended hospital visits (when you are lucky). This is often caused by disorientation or panic by un-experienced divers... often happening if they loose the mouth piece or flooding their mask and having the feeling of not being able to breath. Resulting in the reflex of trying to hold your breath whilst trying to reach the surface. Not to mention bleeding sinuses etc., ...

Advise is to have proper training when using any SCUBA Gear (Self Contained Breathing Aparatus).
 
The sport version does have a spare regulator. I got one, it's ideal for shallow dives and cleaning.
 
Andark are pretty well known and probably have the best facilities for non-club based training. Unfortunately they work to PADI (= Put Another Doller In), whereas IMHO BSAC is better. But PADI is recognised everywhere so does have some advantages.
 
HI I have one. and found it handy, cut away from the props, and gave the hull a full clean. I keep it on the boat as it is compact. BUT I DO HAVE A DIVE BUDDY WITH ME! when I use it.

There are a number of dive schools andark near swanwick, or there is one in Portsmouth.

john
 
You definitely do not require any qualifications to use one.
Why be concerned about a spare regulator on it? Who is going to use it?

I'd definitely suggest training though and an idea might be to find a local dive club, go along tell them you don't want to be the next Hans Hass and would they put you through a bit of training with it.... bet most will and probably no cost.
If you go over the side with one on to check hull, clear prop etc, think about being roped to the surface. Safer and also gives you a reference point to know where up and out is.

But beware rope in water, it turns into something like a snakes honeymoon

As long as you breath normally no probs, but head what was said about breath holding.
 
PADI

Pay And Die Instantly, everyone knows that's what PADI stands for.

And you're absolutely right, no bits of paper needed but diving without any form of training would be dangerous and foolhardy.
 
I use one and have done so for quite a few years but I am also a qualified diver too (Padi aow).

I wanted something to do more than just snorkling and to check the boat when I was not on my normal diving trips, this fitted the bill perfectly.

The Mini-B is a great compact unit but not for any serious diving, I have seperate dive gear for that.

One thing to remember that no one else has mentioned is the tides and currents, if your around the Isle of Wight you do get some undercurrents which without the diver training you could panic. When I dive with the Mini-B I tend use a very long piece of rope at first for safety. The other issue I have experienced at anchor is the number of other boats and their toys etc, so you need to use a surface marker which I also carry, don't like seeing props just above you.

Getting the basic training does not take too long and I would recommend PADI, it recoginsed world wide despite peoples other comments. I recommend Berkshire Dive Crew http://www.divecrew.co.uk/ based in Bracknell, ideal for doing the evening course after work and pool sessions, but does depend where you live.

Lastly I purchase the Mini-B off ebay for £150 brand new, but I did get serviced before use. The orginal price a few years ago was £500 so quite a saving.

Remember that you will still need to purchase a weight belt and a few other bits on top.

Hope that helps.

Richard.
 
Re: i cant work out the pricing

An old second stage (serviced) off a demand valve, 100' of airline, a few couplings and a 2½CFM oil-less compressor (run off either the onboard invertor or genny) - no worries and "limitless" air for faffing about under the boat. Works fine down to about 30' then the DV gets a little "tight". I was thinking about using a complete DV but have not got round to it yet - should help with the tightness in the second stage below 30'.

Still have an old SG twin hose - might be worth a try feeding it directly from the compressor's receiver via the air line.
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