The MK VI Discovery touches the Red Sea waters

On 28 & 29 March, the TEC-Deep team was invited to try out the fairly newly born CCR (Closed Circuit Rebreather) MK VI Discovery from Poseidon, son of the famous Cis-Lunar MK V from Bill Stone. Already at first look, the MK VI Discovery seems to have the right combination of attributes that we would expect from Poseidon.

The unit is set up in less than 5 minutes. The user-friendly design of the battery pack that includes the dive log and other relevant data, also allowing changing unit while keeping the deco information is remarkable.

Here we go... the machine is set up and computer is on! Then start the 35 different tests that will bring us to the last negative/positive check before the jump. Suddenly a stop, we forgot to open one tank. We actually believe that it had been done on purpose to show us the absolute safety of the system. The computer stops and blinks asking to open the tank to continue or no way down. This is a remarkable safety feature if we consider that a good number of accidents are due to users just forgetting to open the tanks.

We are ready, suit is on and the MK VI is on our back. The unit is configured with 2 x 3 lt steel cylinders and we are wearing some 12 kg weight for a dive to around 10 metres.

Already at the surface, the feeling is good: small, minimum drag, with the loops routing just perfectly as they are coming from below the BOV (Bail Out Valve) without interfering with head movement. The large computer display gives all information - maybe a bit too big and not easy to handle but for sure clear!

We are down, facing some current as early morning was announcing, which might not be the ideal conditions for this trial but we cannot control weather “yet”! I feel slightly positive and my buddy Jans Sjoblom, Poseidon Sales Manager, who takes the time to accompany us underwater, hands me over some extra weight. Obviously, the compact size and the extreme light weight of this unit, ideal for travelling, has to be somehow balanced ...

The breathing is smooth and ample volume is provided at any time and depth. The good balance between the volume of the breathing bags and the supply makes the control of the depth while ascending even easier comparing to other machines and all the features that we could appreciate at the surface turn out to provide even more comfort while diving with the MK VI, making this unit absolutely perfect for recreational dives.

We would like to express a big thank you to Poseidon for giving us the opportunity to try this unit and, of course, we look forward to the DEMA Show 2009 and are hoping to see the Technical version of it.