At the heart of the new generation APD rebreathers lays the Vision electronics package. Quite simply, the most powerful electronics available on a sport & technical rebreather today. By combining the reliable, performance benchmark, oxygen control of the Evolution with the latest manufacturing methods used in high volume dive computers and extending their features, the Vision electronics bring even easier diving, simple yet innovative and advanced warning systems and simple upgradeability to allow not just safe software updates but also Hardware developments as they occur - future proofing your investment.

In normal use the information displayed includes: the oxygen controller, C1 or C2 - controlling the ppO2, the Setpoint, the Scrubber status (if the Scrubber Monitor option is chosen), the Battery status of both batteries and which one is providing the power for the solenoid and wrist display, the ppO2 from all three oxygen cells in real time as measured by the Master controller (or the Slave’s ppO2 displays at the touch-of-a-button request). On the surface the date and time are shown with atmospheric pressure. Underwater the dive time and depth are shown along with maximum depth.

Typical text warnings (given in capital letters) include things like: “START ERROR!” (if the pre-dive sequence is not completed properly), “HIGH OXYGEN”, “LOW OXYGEN”, “SCRUBBER WARNING”, “CELL WARNING”, “LOW BATTERY”, “SLOW” (ascent speed warning) and so on. These are all reinforced by other indications such as the scrubber bar graphic, battery graphics, the cell reading figures (etc), the buzzer and the HUD. If either the Nitrox or Trimix decompression options are purchased the display also shows No Stop Time, which reverts to Total Time to Surface (TTS) and ceiling depth once the diver requires decompression stops

APD CCRs are the only rebreathers with two independent oxygen controllers (patented). The Vision inherits this unique feature from the Inspiration Classic displaying both controllers’ readings of all 3 cells on the wristset. The Slave readings are hidden but can be simply called up and displayed for comparison with the Master readings (which never leave the display). The readings are in real time, that is, they change instantaneously, as PO2 variations occur, so that you see exactly what is happening with your oxygen pressure and with each cells’ performance (enabling you to easily spot an errant cell).

The Slave is independently powered and has several important functions. It will independently generate warnings when appropriate, automatically promote itself to Master, adding oxygen when necessary, if the Master fails to signal its active status. It will aslo instantly add oxygen to the loop if the PO2 drops to 80% of setpoint.

This is a true breakthrough!

Rebreathers have been around since the early 1900s however, a good simple, reliable, scrubber duration warning system has proved elusive - until now. The display shows you not only what is happening in the scrubber, reflecting the diving conditions, but also warns you before CO2 becomes an issue. Unlike a CO2 sensor which warns you when CO2 is coming through (which is too late when you are deep) the Vision’s Scrubber Monitor warns you in advance of CO2. Depth, work rate and water temperature are the three major factors affecting a scrubber’s duration and the APD Scrubber Monitor considers all three factors simultaneously – even working for partially used Sofnolime.

Using an array of digital temperature sensors moulded into the centre stem the temperature profile of the scrubber is monitored in real-time. As the CO2 laden exhaled breath passes through the scrubber the temperature of each section is compared with the other sensors and the bar-display on the wristset is updated to show the hot sections of the scrubber and by this means the exothermic reaction of the Sofnolime is tracked through the bed. By using a comparative method, rather than monitoring actual temperatures, the APD Scrubber Monitor performs reliably and consistently in cold as well as warm water, it copes with ascents and descents, and even works with part-used Sofnolime, giving warnings at appropriate times on the HUDs and buzzer. By extensive testing at the APD Research Laboratory the warning levels were determined at two very simple levels – Surface immediately and Go open circuit.

You can learn to dive the Evolution at either a Recreational or Technical level, depending on your diving goals and current certification levels. A Nitrox certification is required for recreational level (can be easily combined) or Advanced Nirtrox or Advanced Recreational Trimix for the Technical Level.

The course consists of one or more pool sessions, 6 dives with a minimum of 500 minutes of in-water time, plus classroom sessions. Cost is $1500 per student plus boat trips, gas and consumables.

Silent World owner Chris Brown will take you over to the Dark Side!

Apart from being super cool, rebreathers offer a better diving experience. The air is warm and moist (no more cotton mouth from dry filtered Open Circuit air,) you can stay down for longer and you inspire less nitrogen!

EFFICIENCY: Most rebreathers will contain about 6 pounds of CO2 absorbant material that is usually rated to around 3 hours. The onboard oxygen should also last at least this long, replacing the oxygen metabolized by the diver. The onboard 'diluent' tank, which is used to 'dilute' the oxygen to safe breathing levels, provide gas for buoyancy control and to make up enough volume to breathe; often lasts several dives. This gives huge advantages to those diving in remote regions where regular air tanks may be hard to come by or logistically difficult to transport.

DECOMPRESSION: For those diving 60 feet or shallower, the higher and more constant pressure of oxygen compared to regular SCUBA gives the diver bottom times that will far exceed anything they would wish for. You will get cold, need the bathroom or fall asleep before you will run out of no-deco time!

Divers venturing deeper will find that their decompression is more comfortable (No more salty gas switching) and more efficient due to the constant pressure of oxygen on ascent. With regular Nitrox, the diver must select a blend that will not exceed their target oxygen operating pressure at depth (typically 1.4 PP02). The reality is that we rarely spend much time at our maximum depth, and as soon as you ascend on open circuit, the PP02 drops dramatically. On a rebreather, the oxygen pressure is kept to a 'setpoint' of around 1.3 PP02 resulting in far less inert gas absorbtion during ascent and therefore less decompression.