Dive Rite - O2PTIMA CCR (BMCL)
o2ptima CCR
The Optima evolution continues. Now featuring an all new rear-mounted counterlung design that greatly reduces work of breathing, the O2ptima has become one of the most streamlined CCR packages on the market. Utilizing Divesoft’s BOV, gas management is now as simple as possible. With its horizontal scrubber, the O2ptima boasts an extremely short breathing loop improving performance, safety, and diver comfort.
ELECTRONICS
The O2ptima CCR is powered by Shearwater electronics. Utilizing Shearwater’s DiveCan technology, the O2ptima comes standard with a Petrel 2 controller and an independent Heads-up Display (HUD). The standard HUD can also be replaced by Shearwater’s NERD computer.
The controller and HUD have separate control boards, housings and power supplies. Redundancy is separation with as few shared components as possible. The Optima uses four Analytical Industries PSR-11-39-MD cells (sometimes called R22 cells). Three cells are in the voting logic for the controller. The controller looks at three cells and uses the two cells with the closest reading to fire the solenoid. The fourth cell is the number three position on the HUD so there is one cell out of the voting logic loop.
COUNTERLUNGS
The O2ptima features a 6.5 L total volume back mounted counter lung set. The counter lungs connect directly to the scrubber canister, eliminating extra hoses. This design greatly decreases work of breathing (WOB) as compared to traditional back mounted counter lung designs. Counter lung attachment points to the harness are also eliminated making swapping harnesses and backplates quick and easy.
The exhalation counterlung has a unique water trap to keep any water in a drain area where it can be dumped hands free through the over-pressure valve.
Cleaning is made easy with zippers on each counterlung.
BOV, ADV, & MAVs
To further streamline the O2ptima, it uses Divesoft’s BOV + ADV + MAVs combo. This all-in-one combo eliminates the need for excess hoses and additional items on the diver’s chest. The ADV function can be turned off mid dive with a simple turn of the service knob. Oxygen and Diluent manual addition valves (MAVs) are conveniently located on either side of the mouthpiece, so the diver can always find them. When the service knob is in the vertical position the loop is closed and the diver is on open circuit.
SCRUBBER & LOOP
The O2ptima CCR utilizes a horizontal scrubber behind the diver’s head. This design greatly reduces the length of the breathing loop compared to other rebreathers on the market. The reduced length is due to the fact that gas does not have to be pushed down a diver’s back and returned over your shoulder for every breath. The shortened breathing loop also means the O2ptima can use smaller, more flexible hoses.
The scrubber canister accepts the MicroPore Extendair cartridge or 5 pounds of granular sorb. The canister is made from an Acetal Copolymer and is not affected by the caustic nature of the CO2 scrubbing media.
A water trap in the scrubber end cap helps prevent water from reaching the scrubbing material. With the scrubber sitting at the apex of the loop, it makes it more difficult for water to sit and decreases the possibility of water being pushed through the loop unexpectedly when a diver goes head down. A smaller loop also makes detecting any possible water easier
COVER & STAND
The O2ptima CCR uses a hard shell Kydex cover to protect the canister, hoses, and cylinders from the hazards of overhead environments. The cover keeps hoses and cables tucked in and eliminates the peaks and valleys present in most rebreathers that can become snag points in wrecks or caves. The O2ptima with a Kydex cover is thinner and shorter than a set of double 80’s and weighs less. Slots on the top and sides of the cover are ideal for adding pockets to hold ballast weight, if needed.
The O2ptima CCR has a hybrid, light weight stand that combines stability and functionality. The stainless steel backplate contours like a set of doubles so it lies close to your back. The canister mounts on the top and the cylinders mount vertically beneath the canister to give the O2ptima a narrow profile. The support and foot are machined of a high impact lightweight plastic. It will flex but not bend when you sit down. The plastic foot is very boat friendly and has integrated mounting rails for accessories. The cylinders are held in place with cam straps. No additional cylinder hardware is needed.
REGULATORS & HOSES
The O2ptima uses Dive Rite’s FT or XT first stage regulators. Both the oxygen and diluent regulators have a single feed hose that supplies a manifold. From each manifold there are shorter hoses that feed the different components of the O2ptima. The manifolds provide streamlined hose routing and additional unused LP ports allow for easy addition of accessories such as drysuit inflation hoses.
On the diluent manifold, an off board supply hose is provided. When used, the whole rebreather including manual addition valves, BOV/ADV, and BC are supplied by the off board bailout.**
** To use the ADV/BOV functions at depth the QC on the offboard line must be switched to a high flow connector
BC & HARNESS
The O2ptima CCR comes standard with either a TransPac XT or TransPlate XT harness and the custom designed CCR XT wing.
The CCR XT wing, with 40 lbs of lift, was designed specifically for rebreather divers. Its 360-degree design allows gas to flow freely, keeping both sides equalized. Its wide center section allows for the lift to be outside of the unit and not raising it on the divers back.
TECH SPECIFICATIONS
2.Back mounted counterlungs with 6.5 Liter loop volume
3. Dual use scrubber canister design can be used with Micropore ExtendAir SR-081C cartridges or packed with 5lbs of 812 mesh loose granular CO2 absorbent
4. Divesoft BOV + ADV + MAVs standard (all-in-one Bail Out Valve with Automatic Diluent Valve and Manual Add Valves for O2 and diluent)
5. Dual water traps
6. XT1 or FT1 first stage oxygen and diluent regulators
7. (4) AI R22 Oxygen Sensors
8. CCR XT air cell utilizing abrasion resistant SuperFabric
9. Kydex hard cover for abrasion protection
10. Stainless Steel and StarBoard frame and stand
11. AL 20 oxygen and diluent cylinders with valves standard
12. Compatible Cylinders: AL 13, AL 20, AA LP 27, AA HP 32, AA LP 13
13. Dive Rite TransPac Harness (Transplate harness optional)
14. Weight: 37lbs without tanks or scrubbing material
An optional bailout bladder, in case of a primary bladder failure, can be installed into the CCR XT wing. Also, a 10 lb trim pillow can be installed. The trim pillow helps divers maintain optimal horizontal trim, even when wearing a wet suit or minimal exposure protection.
The CCR XT wing on the O2ptima also features two 4 lb trim pockets sewn on to the diver side of the wing (not available with bailout bladder option).
If a different harness or BC is desired, the O2ptima uses the industry standard 11” bolt spacing for mounting
