rebreathers, liability, and insurance

Hi all,

Does anyone have any insight into the issue of liability and diving
rebreathers?

CE units are going to be fine (if used within training limitations etc)

Where do the users of non-CE units stand? Some are commercially available
(Meg, Kiss), some are conversions (Drager CCR mods), and others are
augmentations (add a hammerhead to an inspiration and blow the CE marking).

Worst off of course are the scratch builds...

Does anyone know anyone who has managed to sustain insurance in that
position? Can KISS divers dive with BSAC and SAA clubs?

Jason

Original and best

"Jason Shepherd" <sixbarplus@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:bt68sl$jvq$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
> Hi all,
>
> Does anyone have any insight into the issue of liability and diving
> rebreathers?
>
> CE units are going to be fine (if used within training limitations etc)
>
> Where do the users of non-CE units stand? Some are commercially available
> (Meg, Kiss), some are conversions (Drager CCR mods), and others are
> augmentations (add a hammerhead to an inspiration and blow the CE
marking).
>
> Worst off of course are the scratch builds...
>
> Does anyone know anyone who has managed to sustain insurance in that
> position? Can KISS divers dive with BSAC and SAA clubs?
>
> Jason
>
> Original and best


Whilst I can't comment on rebreathers, I'm not sure from the question (eg
use of the word "liablity") what insurance you're after. Or who's liability
to who.

Are you talking about 3rd party liability insurance ?
ie what if someone else sues you - in which case you can use what you like
since you won't be suing yourself if you drown !

Or are you talking about supplying the unit to someone else - in which case
it rather depends on the basis you are supplying it - sale / rental (quite
strict product liablity statute and case law here), guide-client
relationship, gift but stated to be not-working for spares - (still not
necessarily entirely trouble-free)etc.

Or suing the manufacturer on their insurance - in which case I'm not sure
what markings they have have much to do with actual liablity - either they
are at fault or they're not. Down to product liabilty law - (and contract
and tort) - probably.
They are probably illegal to sell without CE marks - but that's another
question.

Or your own personal injury insurance or life assurance - which depends on
its own terms and conditions. You'd obviously have had to tell them you're
doing a "dangerous" sport, especially if using home-made type kit. No doubt
the price would go up if they'd even take the bet.

Perhaps not the answer you are after ...... and no help at all on
rebreathers as such.

Enjoy

Hywel