1913 Dräger Tauchretter DM2

During the years after 1910, Dräger further developed the Tauchretter DM1 into the model DM2 that was ready in 1913 (1914?). The injector system was replaced by a constant mass flow system.

The gas system was completely changed by first reducing the cylinder pressure to 9 bar. The medium pressure was then passed through a constant mass flow valve where a constant flow of 1.25 ltr min was achieved. If the diver did not get enough gas in the counter lung, a bypass valve could always be used which allowed a larger volume of higher pressure in the counter lung.

Another improvement over the DM1 were the upgraded regulator valves and a shut-off mouthpiece. In the system with a diluent there was also an overpressure valve with an adjustable resistance and manual valve.

The apparatus weighed 19 kilos and with the disposable lead of 5 kilos 24 kilos in total, a considerable weight. On the surface, the sailor could discard the respirator and then still kept on a life jacket to get himself to safety.

This fantastic picture shown one of the most early Tauchretter ever build! I looks to be a DM1 of the first generation.
We recognise one oxygenbottle, but also one hose leading to the counterlung. It looks like a version inbetween the 1910
and 1914 DM1 tauchretter. Not much is known about this exact version, but it is certainly the DM1.
picture published with the kind permission of mr. Sven Erik Jørgensen (Dk)

This second version shows a model after 1913. Clearly visible are the two cilinders, one with oxygen and one with Air.
One hose leads to the Counterlung very similar to the DM1-1914.
picture published with the kind permission of mr. Sven Erik Jørgensen (Dk)

I would like to thank Sven Erik Jørgensen for making these photos available to me.
These are truly unique photos of the very first tauchretters produced even before the First World War.