At the end of January 2011 I went to the ISC Megalodon CCR Rebreather factory located in Centralia, Washington, USA to take a continuing education program and in the process become a Megalodon Rebreather Instructor Trainer.
Some 8 or 9 years ago I told myself that I need to take at least one training program myself once a year in order not to forget how it feels to be a student and to further my own knowledge and techniques. One of the great things about diving is that the depth of knowledge is seemingly endless and as more as I know as little I really seem to know.
I arrived in Centralia about 2 am in the morning after a long flight with a number of plane changes. When coming out of the Seattle Sea-Tac airport walking to the rental car I had to put on all the warm cloth I could muster and had brought with me from Mexico as it was close to freezing.
Walking into the factory of ISC in Centralia later on that same morning I met familiar faces such as Jerry who is responsible for sales and customer contact, Steve who is doing final assembly and met Danny who is assembling the electronics, cables, scrubbers and heads.
Leon came in a little while later and we went right into the theory and lecture part after a tour of the ISC factory. Lectures and discussions became a big part of my 6 day experience at ISC, the depth of knowledge, details, stories and backround information about the Megalodon units, research, development, CE and ISO testing as well as diving related stories where tremendous.
The lectures and discussion where interrupted by workshops, hands on training, assembly of units and detailed explanations about scrubbers, BOV’s, electronics, the APECS and COPIS versions of the Megalodon Rebreathers as well as the brand new Predator and Pathfinder CCR Rebreathers that are to be release later on this year. When they are ready they are ready is the word on the release date.
After 3 days of workshops, lectures and discussions on the 4th day Dave and Peter came in from from Canada to pick up Peters Megalodon, and take some training with Leon I was lucky enough to watch and participate in.
After unit assembly, table dives and dirt dives with lengthy discussions about boom scenarios, Hypercapnia, Hyperoxia and Hypoxia drills as well as flood recovery we where ready to go to the water.
The confined water sessions that same evening where held at the Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington where I was able to watch Leon teaching with one of the greatest teaching tools, direct Instructor to student communication with direct, immediate and detailed voice input. Awesome. During the pool time Dave and I had the chance to dive the Pathfinder CCR Rebreather. Super compact unit with Manta counterlungs over the shoulder back mounted. The Pathfinder I was diving was a hybrid version with constant mass flow oxygen injection as well as a solenoid with electronic regulated injection.
The next, the 5th day we went diving at a dive site called Sund Rock. I had with me all my cold water gear I own including a 100gr. undergarment underneath my 400 gr. undergarment, 400gr. socks, a double hood and thanx to Dave from Canada dry gloves. That day, of all days, I felt a bit sick but as I was dressed up and could hear the music playing I was ready to dance … and dive. I am glad I went, first time and dive ever for me in the Emerald Sea with cold wind and rain in the parking lot as we getting ready. It was so cool to finally see the giant Octopus, plume sea enenemies and there was even a cool wooden wreck. Very nice. The coldest part was on the surface actually, talking, briefing, de-briefing and planning. Guess it came from the rainwater runoff that was colder then the ocean water. Great dive though. Worth every effort, minute and pain.
The last and 6th days was more discussions and theory when Ron came up from Portland. So good to see all these guys, having a good time and sharing the same passion. When my time was finally over I was looking back the last 6 days and could not believe how fast the time went and how much more I have learned. A total awesome experience. I have to thank Leon and the ISC staff for taking me under their wings and provided me with so much insight. Thanx a lot again and I hope I can come back one day and do the technician course.
I have taken quite a few diving related and Rebreather related training programs over the years but being able to go directly to the factory, have access to all and everybody with the brain, designer and CEO of the Rebreather factory being my Instructor on a 1:1 basis was such a tremendous oportunity I apreshiate very much.
The trip was crowned with a day of leisure visiting Leigh in Tacoma to talk about a cave exploration and survey project we have in mind here in Mexico and a walk around the glass museum in Tacoma as well as the court house with great glass art inside the giant waiting hall. The second visit was to friends Craig and Deb in Olympia who made me a wonderful dinner accompanied with great wine and a great long conversation.
The time I had in Washington State was awesome. On my way back home the Central U.S. was hit hard by a snow storm so when getting to the Sea-Tac airport at 06:00 in the brisk morning all flights to Dallas where canceled and the rebooking line was endless. As I got to the counter the smiling lady got me onto different airlines, planes and routes and actually got me back to Cancun the same day with only 3 hours delay. The very coolest thing was the flight from Seattle to Portland in a clear crisp winter sky, flying close to Mt. St. Helen with its snow covered caldera. What an awesome sight. What an awesome trip. What an awesome insight gained.
I love continuing education.
Matt