Order Now!
$0.00 Cart Icon

FAQ & Information

Dive Talk Go Questions & Answers

INFORMATION

Welcome to the Dive Talk Go information page.  With so much information and misinformation available, Dive Talk Gear want to ensure that divers are familiar with the DT Go facts.  Purchasing a rebreather is a big decision for most divers, and we want to be certain that divers are choosing a unit that suits their diving needs.  We also wanted to have an easy link where many of the DT Go questions can be answered.

There are many questions you should ask yourself, prior to purchasing a rebreather.  We have tried to cover them here.  These are questions that will assist you in choosing a rebreather, how to configure it, and how to move through social media and assess the facts from the fiction. 

Woody and Gus, Dive Talk Gear

Information vs Misinformation – Dealing with the GOSSIP

  1. Misinformation: Lack of experience – Gossip says the DTG team doesn’t have the knowledge or background.

That is not true.  The team behind the DT Go has decades of experience.

  1. Why did Woody and Gus step up?

Starting a rebreather company, a training agency, and everything that goes with it is not for the faint of heart.  Why would Gus and Woody, both successful business people, and dedicated family men do this? 

Being active in the scuba industry, rebreather divers, and the Dive Talk hosts, educated Gus and Woody on important aspects of the diving industry as a whole, and also gave them critical insight to the world of rebreather diving.  After diving the Go daily for a week, they felt strongly that this was such an amazing rebreather, they approached the designer to private label it. 

They knew that they had the drive and energy to do it properly, safely and help create a system that would be exciting for many divers.  Knowing Mike for so long, and understanding his dedication to building safe and reliable gear made the decision to get involved easy.  For Mike, he was excited to work with the DT team as it was clear that their values for education, safety, and testing matched his own.

  1. Misinformation: Gossip says it is not a real rebreather, but costs the same.

This is not true. Many of the rebreathers on the market, are built for exploration, and extreme diving conditions.  For explorers, these are great units.  As they are heavy, expensive and complex, they are not a great tool for most divers.

The vast majority of technical trained divers usually stay above the 200 foot mark, with most of their diving between 100 and 150 feet. Invest in a rebreather that is suited for the type of diving you usually do. 

The DT Go is a well-priced rebreather that will be rated for 200 feet.  This makes it accessible for many divers that want to take their diving to the next level.

  1. Misinformation: Gossip says the DT Go won’t follow standard CCR training.

This is not true.  After decades in the rebreather industry, the DT team members are still baffled by this statement.  This statement is not usually followed up with why they are saying this.

Here is the truth:  The training on the DT Go will follow the same standards as other units, following RESA minimum training standards.  DT Academy will be set up with excellent quality control for instruction. The DT Go has been third party tested, and has proven to have excellent WOB and duration.  Dangerous situations happen with lack of education (poor training), or rule breaking. 

It is important to understand that a rebreather is a tool that can be used for different types of diving.  Recreational, technical, or exploration.  A diver could take a rig set up for deep exploration dives, and dive it within recreational limits.  The best way to look at this is to understand that both open circuit and closed circuit diving can be with decompression or without.  Dive within your certification limits and stay in your comfort zone.

  1. Misinformation: Third party testing – Gossip says DT Go doesn’t have any.

That is not true.  The DT Go has third party testing.  The Work of Breathing (WOB) and the scrubber duration tests were both outstanding!  Computer systems are from Shearwater Research who clearly build our industries best electronics.

  1. Misinformation: Minimum Training Standards – Gossip says DTG doesn’t follow them.

That is not true.  Minimum training standards outlined by RESA are strictly followed.  While Dive Talk Gear is not yet a RESA member, their standards are strictly followed.  DTG team members have been working with RESA since inception, and helped create RESA.  The training program that DT Go divers must complete follows the same minimum training standards as all RESA rebreathers. 

  1. Misinformation: It is dangerous – Gossip says it is so dangerous that only divers with hundreds of dives, and that are certified to dive to extreme depths, are safe to dive a closed circuit system.

This is not true.  Since the start of rebreather diving decades ago, there has always been a select group that would prefer to keep the “mystery” about rebreather diving, to keep it complicated, and keep it exclusive. 

Rebreather manufacturers have been fighting these bad attitudes from the beginning.  It was one of the reasons that RESA was created.  Manufacturers decided to fight for the betterment of our industry and through education, create a better understanding for all rebreather divers.

When is the right time for an individual to start rebreather diving?  That is a personal decision.  No different from choices that open water divers make:  am I ready to do a rescue class; am I ready to dive off shore?

RESA minimum training standards state that a person must have 20 open water dives, and have completed a Nitrox certification.  Some divers will be ready at this point, and some won’t. 

  1. Misinformation: Gossip says you need hundreds of dives before taking a rebreather course.

This is not true.  See above note on the RESA minimum training standards.  These standards were written by the RESA members who are some of the worlds top rebreather manufacturers. 

It is worth stating again, this is a personal choice.  Like any diving, ALL divers need to be properly trained, dive within their limits, and follow the rules.  This is what makes a safe rebreather diver.  It is not a number in a log book. 

Some divers may wish to invest in purchasing training and gear and move through the open circuit curriculum first.  That is a personal choice and not necessary.  If this is your choice, just be aware that you will need to invest in further training once you start rebreather diving.  If a charter operator wants clients to have a deep, or wreck certification, then you will have to do those courses again on a rebreather.  This is industry rules/liability. Not a cash grab.

  1. Misinformation: Gossip says a rebreather should not be used for recreational diving and saying so is dangerous.

This is not true.  As mentioned before, these are general words that are often thrown out on social media, that sadly are not followed up and don’t have a real meaning.  A rebreather can certainly be enjoyed on recreational dives. The advantages of rebreather diving with the perfect nitrox mix at every point of your dive and not just MOD, warm moist air, less post dive fatigue, getting extremely close to the wild life. These are all great reasons to dive a CCR. 

Many people have assumed that all rebreathers are complex and this is what makes them dangerous.  Remember, a rebreather is a tool.  Use it within the parameters it was built for, and within your certification and experience levels.  The DT Go is a very straight forward unit, easy to set up, easy to dive and easy to clean.   Watch our video, and you will see!

Things you are CURIOUS about – QUESTIONS you should ask

  1. Is the manufacturer of the unit you are looking at approachable? Do they have a record of excellent customer service?  Will they be honest and clear with the information that they provide?

The DT team has extensive experience in designing and building closed circuit diving systems.

  1. When you look at the manufacturer’s material, is there clear information on what the rig comes with and what is extra? Do I have a choice on configuration?

The DT Go manual states clearing what is included and what is not.  There are some choices for configuration.

  1. Is the unit simple? Is the unit complex?  The more complex that a rebreather diving system is, the more that can go wrong, and the harder it is to fix.   Do you have the option to service the unit yourself, should you wish or need to?

The DT Go is very simple, and some divers will be able to service most parts themselves. 

  1. Is there a service plan available that is affordable, and good value for the dollar?

For those that would prefer DTG to do the annual servicing, there will be a service plan that covers both service work, and parts.

  1. Are you looking to purchase a rebreather that you can travel with, that can be easily transported, and are confident that it will work properly? Is your spare parts kit small and light?

The travel weight of the DT Go is 10lbs.  This is the unit without the cylinder or absorbent. Spare parts kits are available and they are small and light

  1. What computer system comes with your rebreather?

The DT team feels that the computer system should be the best on the market.  This is why we offer the Shearwater Research products.

  1. How difficult is it to assemble and test the unit? Is it quick and easy?  If the positive or negative test fails, is it easy to diagnose and fix? 

Due to the simple design of the unit, the DT Go is very quick to assemble, test and trouble shoot. See our video!

  1. You are deciding between a Mechanical CCR and an Electronic CCR. How do you know what is right for you? 

This is personal choice.  Some divers choose an electronic CCR as they want it to be easier. Keep in mind when diving either an electronic or mechanical CCR, you MUST monitor the oxygen display the same.  On a mechanical system, you need to push the O2 add button a few times. If you choose to dive an electronic CCR manually, the only way the oxygen goes into the system is when the button is pushed. So those divers are much more busy.

  1. What Is a mechanical CCR?

A mechanically controlled CCR is a system where the design of the unit constantly bleeds a small amount of pure oxygen into the system at all times.  It has a push-button override where the diver can manually add oxygen when needed.

  1. How often do I have to push the oxygen add valve button?

If the constant flow is set up for the diving that you usually do, (this happens in training), then not very often. It is reported from experienced divers that they may only push the button a few times during a typical dive.

  1. Does the team behind the rebreather you choose have a proven track record? Do they have a Quality Assurance program in place, and follow set rules for building, testing, training? 

The Dive Talk Gear team has decades of experience behind them, they have a QA program in place, do third party testing, and will follow strict protocol’s for training.

  1. There are a number of used units on the market, would investing in one be a good idea?

You must fully understand the cost involved to get that unit up and running to suit you.  Be certain to fully understand the condition of the gear you are purchasing, and contact the manufacturer to determine the cost of repairs or upgrades.  Remember, buying a new rebreather is like buying a bunch of rebreather parts at a really good discount!

  1. Why are the counterlungs are on the side, do they get in the way or are uncomfortable?

The lungs are situated very close to the divers own lungs, and this is one of the reasons the WOB is excellent.  When diving the Go, the lungs are comfortable, and not bulky. 

  1. What sort of scrubber canister does the DT Go have? And, is it easy to prepare for diving, and to open and close the canister.

The DT Go has a circular axial scrubber design with a large surface area and a relatively thin scrubber bed.  This design spreads out the exhaled gas, which lowers the breathing resistance (WOB).  The simplicity of design allows for easy filling and prepping for dives, and the clamp system while sturdy, means that the unit can easily be opened and closed for either filling, cleaning or inspection.

  1. Is this unit right for me?

It depends, are you interested in having the perfect nitrox mix during your entire dive?  Warm and moist air to breathe? Would you like to get close to the wild life?  Do you want a diving system that is EASY to use, EASY to set up, EASY to maintain, and EASY to learn?  Are you ready to take your diving to the next level?  If this sounds great, maybe the next step should be a discussion with an instructor to understand the system better, or a try dive.

  1. How deep are most divers going who dive rebreathers?

While many divers talk about going deep, to 300 feet or further, very few actually do it.  Most divers do not go deeper than 200 feet, and those trained technically usually spend much of their time above 180 feet, in the 100 to 150 foot range.  Think hard before you invest in a rebreather that is heavy and complex if in reality you may never be using or needing a unit that complicated.  That complexity comes with a price…expensive electronics that are not user serviceable; the units are likely heavy so not that easy to dive, or to get in and out of the water, and a challenge to fly with; added complexity usually means more failure points.

  1. Is the unit CE approved?

CE is a legal requirement in Europe and manufacturers must go through this process.  With DTG being an American company, there is no legal requirement for this. Third party testing and setting up a good Quality Assurance Program can be done without going through the process of CE.  As an American company, the designation is not important.  The testing and QA systems are, which is why DTG does them.

  1. How does the DT Go compare with other units in the market place?

The DT Go will be a fantastic unit for many divers.  It fills a specific niche, which makes it unique.  It was designed as a light weight mechanical rebreather which has outstanding work of breathing, can be set up with multiple configurations (single back mount cylinder, back mount doubles, or side mount), and the goal of DT Gear is to offer a product that would get more divers interested in rebreathers in general.  

It was not designed to compete with any other rebreathers.  DT Gear feels that there is a place for a variety of different units, and we celebrate them all!

  1. Can I do a try dive or take the full class, prior to doing a purchase?

Yes!  A number of the DT Go instructors have multiple rental units.  Divers can choose to do either an introduction or the full class without purchasing a unit. 

  1. Do I need a special type of buoyancy compensator?

No! One of the best features of the DT Go is that it will work with almost any jacket style BCD, backmount wing system, or a sidemount system.  As the comfort and fit of a divers BCD is one of the most critical components for comfortable diving, we are very excited to let divers know that they can keep using their favorite BCD.

Dive Talk Academy – Why is this happening?

After much discussion amongst the DT team members and legal counsel, it was decided that best way to move forward with training is to keep it fully in-house.  The counsel for DTG is an individual who is very involved in the rebreather industry, and is an advocate for safety and doing things properly.  It was on his advice that the DT team keep the training in-house.  From that advice, Dive Talk Academy was born.

Why is training so important?  Rebreather diving, like open circuit diving, can be very safe and a fun experience.  Training is important as it is critical for all divers, open circuit or rebreather, to fully understand the rules.  It would be no surprise to most divers that not all instructors are awesome.

Let’s Get Into More Detail…

The Dive Talk Academy academic programs will be fully online.  An online system has many advantages:

  • Ensures the manual has been downloaded.
  • Ensures all paperwork is complete.
  • Ensures that the student reads and passes each module before being allowed to start the next one.
  • All modules must be passed, before the exam may be written.
  • Both instructors and students will need to digitally sign off on all required skills.
  • Has checks and balances where the student must review and evaluate the instructor. (10 questions with a 1 to 5 rating system)
  • The instructor must also review and evaluate the student, with the same 1 to 5 rating system.
  • The instructors on-going review scores will be made public. This will be similar to how an Uber shows a driver review.

Thoughts from Woody…

After careful consideration on how to develop and teach a RESA based course for the Dive Talk Go, we sought advice from David Concannon, our counsel, on the best approach. He recommended starting our own dive agency using top technology to ensure students receive a proper education.  It will be a comprehensive CCR course tailored for the new mCCR invented by Mike Young.

As a user of multiple learning platforms for various business ventures, I discussed with our team various features and functions that I believe are essential for the Dive Talk Academy’s system, including:

  • All required paperwork will be completed digitally and saved in a student profile automatically, with progress quizzes on paperwork before accessing other learning modules.
  • The manual will be integrated into the learning system, with quizzes to be passed before unlocking other modules.
  • Standards and rebreather operation will be explained through dynamic animations and videos, with quizzes to be passed before progressing to the next module.
  • Skill requirements will be demonstrated through videos with progress quizzes, leading to a final online exam.
  • A digital sign-off sheet must be completed by the instructor and student before a digital certificate is issued.
  • The platform will require student and instructor reviews before issuing the digital certificate.
  • All skills and standards will meet the RESA minimums, with bios of available instructors, for student selection.
  • Steve Luchon is developing the online system with modern technology for efficient learning.
  • Instructors will be notified when students have completed online content to begin practical training.
  • The system will record unit serial numbers for students who purchase units for the course.
  • The Dive Talk Academy will expand to offer courses from open water diver to advanced technical levels, with a focus on RSTC compliance.
  • The technology used will provide a realistic learning platform with practical application videos and progress tracking.
  • Courses will be tested by experienced dive professionals before release to set a new standard in scuba diving education.
  • The Dive Talk Go class will be the first course released in the system within 30 days, followed by Nitrox courses and advanced classes.

 

Scroll to Top