Rapid Diver FAQ's

[Rapid Diver]

Here are the Rapid Diver FAQS:

1. When was the Rapid Diver developed by whom and who were the first users?
The Rapid Diver was developed/invented (holds Patent and Trademark) by Christopher De Felice in early 2002 and Orange County Sheriffs Dept was the first operation to deploy the units.

If you are a manufacturer and would like to license the Rapid Diver technology contact Chris@RapidDiver.com. We take patent and trademark infringement seriously. If you know of any possible infringement please report it to: Legal@RapidDiver.com


2.How much time do you get underwater with the Rapid Diver?
The physics are the same. An average diver breathes about 1 cu ft per minute. The standard tank for professional use is the 27 cu ft steel tank. We have reports of 30+ minutes in 30 feet or less. Please report you air consumption times on your posts!

3.Is the Rapid Diver "Made in America"?
Yes, the Berry Amendment Rapid Diver Tactical is made in the USA.

4.Is the Rapid Diver "Universal fit"?
Yes it is.

5. How long does the Rapid Diver take to deploy.
With the straps pre-adjusted the unit takes less then 15 seconds from duffel to don.

6. Where can I buy a Rapid Diver Tactical?
The Rapid Diver Tactical is Sole Source and is only available from www.SubSeaTactical.com

7. What do you recommend for Public Safety Divers

As you know the PSD community is very specialized depending on their particular region of the country. I follow NFPA 1670 guidelines: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue. The Rapid Diver has secured its niche in the PSD community because rescue professionals have unique requirements and unfortunately limited budgets and space to store their equipment.

One of the challenges in creating the Rapid Diver system for rescue work was to make a unit that would be compact enough to store in the rescue vehicle, be big enough to do the job and still be cost effective. My goal was to have the entire system fit into a Pelican case ready to dive.

Here are my suggestions,

Gas management, alternate air source, and bottle size:

I highly recommend the steel tanks either 27 cu ft as standard equipment for PSD use. These 27 cu ft tanks are the biggest tanks available for the Rapid Diver system. The steel tank has very favorable trim characteristics and we have had reports of over 30 minute bottom times in 30 feet or less. Like cave diving doctrine, I lean towards the rule of thirds. Most rescue scenerios should be in the 10-minute range, after that the situation moves towards recovery.

Other configurations:

1. The Back Pad is designed to hold a tank (80 cu ft) on the back. When configured this way the back tank becomes primary and the front is back up. Most dive scenarios involve removing occupants of boats and vehicles. Keeping the back clean of obstructions is especially useful when entering a vehicle underwater. The option of having a back mount tank on the Rapid Diver is advantageous if the situation calls for additional bottom time.

Redundant air options for the Rapid:

1. A 6 cu ft tank can be attached to the front tank bands beneath the tank. We have a special adapter for simple attachement of a 6 cu ft tank or a 13 cu ft tank below the main tank.
2. A 6 cu ft tank or 13 cu ft tank can also be used in a drop leg configuration off of the gear belt with our special gear belt.
3. A Router box with LP quick connects can be attached on the tank. This configuration gives maximum redundancy because it allows you to connect any available air supply including surface supplied.
4. Or....Side mount the tank/s. Simple side mounting is very effective with Rapid Diver. The side mount configuration allows you to still keep the back free but still have the extra cu ft (80 alums work well).

The Rapid Diver is tactical in nature; you can configure the unit depending on the situation.

Environmental exposure:
I dive with a dry suit most of the year and they work great with the Rapid Diver. I have an OS Systems 45 second entry suit. There are many fairly inexpensive quick donning front entry dry suits available.

8. Yoke vs DIN
My preference is DIN for rescue work and yoke for sport use, however the Rapid Diver Sport model would be better if it was DIN. The downside of the yoke is that the O ring wears much faster then the DIN and because of that there is always a potential for the O ring to fail. It is rare, but it happens.

9. Rapid Diver Sport VS Rapid Diver Tactical
Like the yoke vs DIN issue, the Rapid Diver Tactical is designed for Rescue work and the Rapid Diver Sport is built as a lighter duty unit.

Rapid Diver Features (over Sport)
1. Full Cordora 1000 denier shell
2. Larger bacpad designed to hold a standard tank
3. Stronger buckles
4. Pocket for ditchable weight pocket
5. Grimlocks
6. Solex reflective tape
7. 2 Full Size tank bands for the Bacpad
8. Trauma shears and carrying case is standard
9. Faber 27 cu ft steel tank standard (approximately 10 cu ft larger than the Alum 20)
10. Super abrasion resistant Miflex hose

If you have the Sport model as part of you rescue kit (it will have an aluminum tank)

10. Where can get the Rapid Diver Serviced, inspected.

The Rapid Diver system incorporates traditional dive equipment that can be serviced by any qualified dive equipment repair specialist. I do have some repair facilities that I recommend. These facilities are very familier with the Rapid Diver system and can take care of annual maintenance and inpections.

[Rapid Diver]

The custom Rapid Diver case is the perfect carrying case for your Rapid Diver system. When my demo units go out they never come back packed the way they should, so I thought I would give some quick tips on how to pack the unit.

1. Place the carrying case on a table, with the open flap towards you. Next, make sure the Rapid Diver has the straps properly adjusted with the tank (front) up forward to you. Grab the back pad and roll the back pad one turn. This will make the Rapid Diver 1/2 the size and while holding he unit after you rolled it, simply place the unit in the carrying case. The tank should be resting on the bottom of the case. Now all you have to do is get the securing quick connects and secure the unit inside of the case. I take the regulator and place in the middle where the Rapid head opening is. This will ensure the regulator has some protection. Also, make sure that the tank is off, the 2nd stage is drained of any excess air, and that the unit is completely deflated. Next all you do is zip up the unit, making sure that the two zips meet each other at the top for easy opening. Don't forget each carrying case back pack style straps secured in the back of the case.

Pictures of this procedure and a youtube video will be coming soon...

Chris

[Admin]

Q. I need an SOG for the Rapid Diver System for my department

A. I have one posted under Announcements on the main page that you can draw from.

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