| | | ering air—only that the breathing resistance at some point in the cycle is higher than what is common for most modern regulators. A machine as accurate as the ANSTI marine simulator can accurately differentiate j/l measurements to tenths and even hundredths of a point. Human divers, however, can't. We've translated j/l scores into three basic classifications: Excellent, Very Good and Good. Here's what each score represents: 5 = EXCELLENT Any inflator reg that can achieve the breathing rate/depth category with a WOB of 1.75 j/l or less. 4 = VERY GOOD Any inflator reg that can achieve the breathing rate/depth category with a WOB of 2.5 j/l or less. 3 = GOOD Any inflator reg that can achieve the breathing rate/depth category with a WOB of less than 3.0 j/l (the EN250 limit). When considering the ANSTI scores, pay particular attention to Columns A and B, since these are the tests that most closely approximate recreational use. Columns C and D are useful primarily in determining an inflator reg's reserve capacity. Ergonomic Tests: The Human Factor Breathing machines tell only half the story. To gauge the ergonomic traits of regulators, we use a minimum of six test divers. Each diver rates each reg for user friendliness in four areas: »EASE OF BREATHING: How well does the inflator reg deliver air when the diver is propelling himself forward in the standard swimming position? | | |
| | | How We Test Inflator Regulators »ANSTI BREATHING SIMULATOR The ANSTI machine is the international industry standard for scientifically evaluating a regulator's performance. It measures a regulator's work of breathing (WOB) in joules per liter (j/l) for each complete inhale/exhale cycle. We test alternate inflator regulators at four different RMV/depth combinations (RMV stands for Respiratory Minute Volumes, basically the amount of gas that can be ventilated through | | |
| | | the lungs in one minute). All simulator tests are performed at a supply pressure of 725-760 psi. If a regulator can perform well at this supply pressure, it will perform as well or better at higher supply pressures. »COLUMN A 37.5 RMV @ 132 fsw: The maximum recreational depth at a moderately aggressive breathing rate. »COLUMN B 37.5 RMV @ 165 fsw: The European Conformance (CE) standard test depth at a moder- | | ately aggressive breathing rate. »COLUMN C 62.5 RMV @ 132 fsw: The maximum recreational depth at a heavy-work breathing rate. »COLUMN D 62.5 RMV @ 165 fsw: The CE standard test depth at a heavy-work breathing rate. Our test parameters state that the highest inhale or exhalation pressure experienced by the "diver" should never exceed 25 millibars or a total WOB of 3 j/l. If a reg exceeds either parameter, it "fails" our test, but that doesn't mean that it stops deliv- | | | WISH YOU WERE HERE, P. 13 • Pe Christine's Reef is a 25-minute boat ride from Walindi Plantation Resort (www.walindi.com) and is visited regularly by boats from the resort's dive operation. Kimbe Bay is also a favorite destination of live-aboards including Peter Hughes' Star Dancer (www.peterhughes.com), and MV Febrina (www.febrina.com). • Ta Pemba and Zanzibar are sister islands in the Indian Ocean, both of which are part of Tanzania. Most visitors to Pemba fly first to Zanzibar and then take the short flight from Zanzibar to Pemba. Resorts that offer dive services include Manta Reef Lodge (www.mantareeflodge.com), The Old Mission Lodge (www.theoldmissionlodge.com) and Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa (www.pembabeachresort. com). Manta Reef Lodge also operates the live-aboard SY Jambo, which offers weeklong Pemba itineraries. • Nasi as From downtown Nassau, you can reach Arawak Cay by car in about five minutes or by walking in about 30 minutes. Head west along Bay Street, follow the road around the British Colonial Hilton hotel, and continue west. The cay is on the north side of the junction of West Bay and Chippingham Road. | | |