Rebreather Back Mounted Counterlungs

Back Mounted Counterlungs set up

for a Buddy Inspiration CCR

I have been asked many times to detail how I have set up back mounting my Counterlungs on my Buddy Inspiration CCR. So here goes. Full detail below. What I do have to emphasise though is that this set up has NOT been properly tested and approved as an appropriate method of positioning ones counterlungs so please just take this with a pinch of salt and if you dont know what you are doing, then leave things the way they are! Your life depends on it!

Back Mounted Counterlungs for Inspiration CCR

I use a stainless backplate and harness. This one just happens to be a Halcyon. Main reason why I chose to use BMCL is just the cleanliness of having no clutter in front of me. I really like no bulkiness in front of me!

First thing I did was seperate the inhale and exhale counterlungs and just cleaned it up by cutting all the excess panel flaps away. So now they are
Then I capped the manual DIL and O2 feeds
I then threaded them through the shoulder straps

I just clipped my handset there to keep it out of the way. it normally is on my wrist.

Notice that I have blocked off the manual feeds on both sides.

I have both Manual feeds for O2 and DIL. This was purchased from Golum. It is good gear!. Both with quick disconnects to I can add any dil or offboard O2.

Closer look at the Feed. I dont make a point of changing dil on a dive so there is no need for the fitting at the base of the manual inflate mechanism.

You can see here from the picture above that I have plumbed in the Man O2 feed into the Snorkel of the scrubber (on the right side of the picture). I got the piece from John R from Narked at 90. Just a word, the guy was amazing, REALLY helpfull and accomodating. He routed a 3/8th tap into the fitting so I just added a 90degree swivel (from Golem) What I also did was add a LPI quick disconnect, this was because it would make things easier to remove when I wanted to dismantel the lid and dry it.

A closer look at what I just explained above.

This is the DIL side. I plumbed in another 3/8 fitting into the main tube assembly. This really helps when doing a dil flush as the DIL goes right into the kid where the cells are. Love it! Again, another quick disconnect for easy removal.

Pete Mesleys Back Mounted Counterlung

What I have finally done is use 2 spare crutch straps. Cut them down to size and clipped the base of the counterlungs to the base of the unit. This is really important to keep them flush. Just a note, when you put your backplate on or harness, just make sure that you dont inhibit the counterlungs. Pull them to one side.

I have done a little over 1300 hours with my BMCL diving 100m+ range. Simply love it. Will never go back to a overshoulder counterlung. Its far too uncomfortable for my personal use. I have never felt the increase of work of breathing by moving the counterlungs. I would like to do more tests and adjust the counterlungs to accomodate slight changes.

Be safe and dont change things on your breather without knowing what the hell you are doing. Or you will cark it!