Hollis Tech Days

Hollis Tech Days event is Oct 15th, Tuesday, 6pm on Schofield Barrack Richardson Pool.  Please arrive at the Lyman gate by 5:45pm with a fully legal vehicle and valid drivers license.  Tell the gate guard you are going to Richardson Pool.  Pool opens for the event at 6pm.  Late is okay, we have multiple rebreather and tech packages, but obviously they are limited.  Some patience will be required, but you will be able to try everything.

UPDATE: The demo units at the sale will be 40% off!

What gear can I try at Hollis Tech Days event?

For $50 you can sign up to try a Prism2 rebreather under the supervision of a technical rebreather instructor.  This cost can be applied to purchase or training.  You will get approximately 20mins to dive in the 15ft pool deep end.  Feel free to bring a camera.

For $20 you can try all six of the other technical diving packages.  Please see the flyer image here.

Sidemount Package, Doubles Package, Tech Travel Packages and more.

Registration is required.  Please use “Student in Training” to sign up for rebreather, $50, and “Participant” for all others, $20

Book Hollis Tech Days Oct 15th

 

How much is a rebreather?

A Prism2 is $7499.95

You also need to plan for the cost of training.  The tuition for a Tec40 class is $1500 and takes 5 days.  As you will find out during your course, you also need to plan for the cost of CO2 absorbant, oxygen, clear air diluent, and the annual replacement of oxygen cells.  Finally, having a Prism2 serviced is $600.  Once every 2 years.  During your training you can pay a flat fee of $500 that covers all the costs associated with the training – boat charter fees, CO2 absorbant, gas fills, bailout bottle and bailout regulator rental, bailout bottle fills.

It is possible to rent a rebreather for you course for $500.  It is the general opinion though that if you are not going to own a rebreather, which is a very specialized piece of equipment, it is simply better to just wait until you are ready to make the ownership decision.  It is not required though.  We have one  lightly used rental units available for $5000.

So if it costs this much why do people do it?

• 4 hour dives
• Quiet, so you photographers get closer to marine life
• Cheaper in the long run for technical diving
  • once you get into Tec60 and start exploring dives beyond 130ft, you’ll be using Helium as part of your diluent gas.  He is expensive.  A technical diver on open circuit doubles diving say the Friendship wreck at 190′ past the Sea Tiger has a gas bill that exceeds $200, while the rebreather diver will likely spend $20 to $30.  So if your goal is to start exploring at technical diving depths, in the long run the rebreather is the only real choice.
• Access.  There are simply things you can do on a rebreather that you cannot do open circuit.  Want to dive Sea Tiger from shore?  No problem.  Want to dive Tong’s wall, a ledge that runs outside Waikiki at 200ft?  Secret Garden 150ft?  God’s Eye 180ft?  Coal Barge 300ft?  Your going to need a rebreather.
• People.  The rebreather club is pretty exclusive.  This group of people is voted the most likely to get together at a bar or restaurant after a dive.

What Else is Happening at the Hollis Tech Days event?

• We are going to feed you.  Chances are you will have a few moment while you wait for the next set of gear to become available, we will have the grill going with burgers and dogs.
• Meet the local instructors and manufacturer sales reps.   Chances are you are going to find someone who’s style and personality meshes well with yours.  Ask for your instructor by name.
• Customize gear you already purchased.  If you know what you want, and just want some expert tips on how to set up the gear then order the equipment at sale prices prior to the event and bring it with you.  This is free with purchase from Island Divers Hawaii or Honolulu Scuba Company.