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Ouroboros History By Kevin Gurr
Why build a rebreather?
I first started diving rebreathers in the late 1980’s.
I worked for a company involved in the development of new
rebreather electronics for the USN MK 15.5 rebreathers. Being
an electro/mechanical engineer and a diver the progression
to ‘test pilot’ was natural. Needless to say the
early endeavors were not a success, partly because the world
just wasn’t ready, Nitrox was still a very dirty word.
The early interest lead me into technical
diving and slowly even more rebreathers; Draeger Atlantis,
more military units, Buddy Inspirations and finally full
circle back to USN MK15.5’s (still with flakey electronics).
Above; Cis Lunar Mk 4 units
that I began diving. photo Kevin Gurr
Over the years I kept a
list of the things I liked and the things I hated. Unfortunately
another list developed, the list of why people died. The
Ouroboros rebreather is the result of these lists and lots
of hours on rebreathers used in working, teaching and recreational
environments.
The other driving force was I wanted something
suitable for the project work I get involved in. The Ouroboros
is it.
Below; Projects I have been
involved with
Above left;
Using the Mk15 military unit to excavate a historic wreck site
for treasure in Guam Above Center; Richard Pyle
looks on at an early Cis Lunar in Bill Stones Garage Above right; Mk 15's on the Guam treasure project.
All photos Kevin Gurr
Ouroboros concepts
The Ouroboros is a closed circuit, mixed gas, electronic
control rebreather. Capable of being used with a range of
diluents from air, through Trimix to Heliox. All electronic
features can be overridden by using the manual functions
of the unit.
The unit comprises a central computer with
a head-up display (HUD), a Primary display (for control
and monitoring) and a rear facing display (for Buddy/instructor
use). There is also an independent passive display, not
connected to the main electronics which has it’s own
power source and displays each of the 3 oxygen cell readings.
Loss of any or all electronic displays will not stop the
unit maintaining a ‘life support’ PO2 level.
Gas can be injected into the
unit automatically or by a manual addition valve system.
On-line decompression monitoring is also available.
The unit has completed CE testing to EN14142.
Operations manual>>click
here
Attached as a download is the operations manual for the
unit. Development
The unit featured is in effect
the fourth evolution of the Ouroboros in 6 years. Other
units have been bench and field tested, however this version
basically being the production model has had the most
extensive trials.
Above; Swimming
the Ouroboros rebreather across a topical reef photo
Leigh Bishop
Kevin Gurr
Gary Sharp
Nick Bushell
Leigh Bishop
Alan Wright
Phil Short
Adam Stubbins
Above; Alan Wright
adjusting the 2004 prototype in Egypt
The Ouroboros is built in the UK
and will be marketed from there in the near future.
Availability and price
The unit was launched in April
2005. It will initially be sold directly through
Closed Circuit Research Ltd, a sister company of
Delta P Technology Ltd. The initial pre-requisite
for ownership is a training program focusing on
in-water teaching. Successful candidates will be
able to purchase a unit.
Price for the unit is £8000
for non-military units, with a range of soft and
hardware options available.
Above left; Swimming
the Ouroboros rigs across an egyptian reef during the
2004 trials Above right; How the unit looked back
in 2004
Above left;
Prototype units being built at the first closed circuit
research factory photo Leigh
Bishop Above right; Prototype unit in Egypt
2004
Above Left; Leigh
Bishop before a dive using the Cis-Lunar rebreather
1993. Photo Kevin Gurr Above right; Prototype Ouroboros rebreather
taking an upgrade from a laptop. During the trials we
did on the
units we would discover areas of question, these software
bugs would then be adjusted via connecting a PC
to the electronics adapter on the unit and the software
would be ready for trial the following day. After several
months
of testing and fine adjustments the units finally finished.
Below the result, the Ouroboros
rebreather 2005
click the images to see more
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