Alexey Stekolshikow IDA 71 U

Alexey build a CMF oxygen rebreather (CIOR) from the Russian IDA 71U. He also converted the IDA72V and published on this website earlier

Below was my brand new conversion of IDA-71U into O2 CMF+bypass rebreather.  Recently i bought an IDA-71U for such a low cost that i can’t let it go 😉 At first, i want to convert it to pure O2 rebreather, and after many sleepless nights i made it! Now this was pure O2 rebreather with constant supply of 1,5 l/min O2 flow, 1 liter O2 200bar cilinder, one scrubber with ХПИ filling, that offers me 90-100 minutes of diving time, and manual bypass for any diver’s needs…   So, here we begin ..   Overview of rebreather with CMF+bypass attached.

O2 cylinder with integrated 1st stage and low-pressure quick-seal connector by Camozzi Pneumatica, http://www.camozzi.it/camozzi/index.php?lang=en

This was only replace in original IDA-71U construction.

I think this offers more usability than original O2 cylinder connection system.

Another overview of rebreather with CMF+bypass attached.Clearly visible all hose’s wiring. Centerline can was replaced by cut-off PVC tube 110mm diameter. Counterlung inlets were sealed by brass dummy-plugs (similar to Franken-Rig).

Another clean view of CMF and bypass system. Lower left – input hose from O2 supply from original IDA-71U nitrox connector. Vertical rectangular-shaped aluminium body – hand-made oxygen collector. Center left bolt – hollow-body bolt for oxygen bypassing. Upper left bolt – Camozzi SCO 604-1/8, kind of needle-valve, main part of CMF system, set to deliver 1,5 l/min O2 flow. Lower right – output hose to purge-line. So, when pressed, the black mushroom-shaped button at top of photo switch O2 supply line between 1.5l/min CMF and direct addition to countelung with no limitations.

Clean view on centerline can inlet plugs on countelung.

I detach purge automatics from it’s hoses, and use hoses to connect CMF+bypass, that was attached to original nitrox cylinder connector. So, quickly i can detach bypass and revert to original IDA-71U configuration as O2 regenerative rebreather with 2 cans.

All parts except O2 collector were standart industrial pneumatic parts from Camozzi. Conversion was quiet cost-efective – all parts (including hand-made) cost me less than $100 😉 Device was checked in nearby lake by 30-minutes dive on up to 7 meters depth. All works fine.

But, sorry, no in-water photos available due to this was solo dive.

Water was pretty warm – 12 deg.C compared to 7 deg.C air 😉 I use it with original VM-5 full-face mask as shown at http://sport.freepage.de/cgi-bin/feets/freepage_ext/339483x434877d/rewrite/rsdas/REB6BIG.HTM

Later i think to made some kind of KISS rebreather.

Also, this summer i continue diving with my IDA-72SMG, up to 1 hour dive time and up to 20 meters deep, mostly in lakes and rivers.

No any troubles sighted.

Regards, Alexey Stekolshikow

IN WATER PICTURES UPDATE:

Thanks again Alexey!