Halcyon Rebreather
PVR-BASC Respiratory Coupled,
Intuitive Rebreathers:
The first new rebreather operating system design in three decades.
[Reprinted from Advanced
Diver Magazine, Fall 1999]
Rebreather manufacturers are often fond of pointing out that the underlying technology found within rebreather design is older than SCUBA itself. To be sure, some of the first air recirculation techniques originated in the late 1800s with the often-cited Fleuss mask of 1879. However, in many ways current rebreather designs are still in their infancy. Today's diver must weigh a range of variables before they consider the use of rebreather technology for non-task-specific diving.
The production of the Halcyon rebreather came out of a careful study of available rebreather designs. Their choice of a Semi Closed, Passive Addition rebreather has paid off with the best safety record in the rebreather industry and the only unit to earn penetration records in deep cave diving. Halcyon allows the diver to focus on the dive objectives instead of on the operation of the rebreather unit. As a result of their design innovation, Halcyon sets the standard for exploration around the world. Halcyon rebreathers can be found in the hands of leading explorers on nearly every continent.
The Halcyon's unique PVR-BASC operating system is the only rebreather technology that gives constant intuitive proper operation feedback to the diver just as in conventional scuba-- through the mouthpiece. Conventional scuba informs the diver of changes in operation via breathing ability/effort. All other rebreathers available to the civilian market today require electronic monitoring systems to inform the diver of proper function.
Unlike most of the other popular semi-closed rebreathers, the Halcyon adds gas based on the diver's metabolic needs and not on some best guess calculation. As a result, the Halcyon offers high efficiency without the most common disadvantages found in rebreather design. It will allow more than 100 minutes at 300 feet deep on a single 80 ft2 drive bottle.
Unlike closed circuit rebreathers, the Halcyon does not rely on debatable electronic controls to mix a diver's breathing gas. Halcyon gas additions are delivered from a dependable premixed source and controlled by a diver's respiratory demands.
Here is how it works
Diagram by Curt Bowen, Advanced
Diver Magazine
| 1 | Halcyon diver interface | The "mouthpiece" serves multiple purposes other than the obvious. The one way flow of the loop gas is directed by the largest mushroom valves of any rebreather in the field today. A unique mouthbite and chin rest compliment the rugged design and prove to be very comforting on long dives. |
| 2 | Halcyon/Scubapro bailout | Halcyon utilized inner valve components from Scubapro to create a reliable low profile performance regulator for bailout and gas switch periods of the dive. Single-hand rotation of spool valve selector allows diver immediate access to "back-gas." This unique design allows modular substitution of a selection of other brand regulators. To date, APEKS, Oceanic, and Sherwood regulators have been adapted for use with the Halcyon Rebreather. |