Royal Navy CDBA

This was an updated/modified MK16 introduced into the British Royal Navy in 1999.

They were originally designed for Heliox @ 16%, with an oxygen first stage built by Carleton. The spherical inconel cylinders fold out for maintenance. The electronics were based on a 6v rechargeable Yuasa cell. Solenoid was of the reed type and very quiet. Divex made the full Face mask (DMM, Dual-Mode Mask) that has an integrated CC /OC/CC switch mechanism. The mask was marketed by MSI Defence Systems in Weymouth (Carleton UK Agency) who had the RN maintenance contract. The primary display is a mask mounted LED. Secondary is a passive, illuminated LCD display that scrolls through the PPO2 values for all 3 galvanic oxygen cells. A 'Night Rider' light can be mounted on the mask top. Due to its bulk the CDBA/MK16 was not regarded a 'swimmers unit'. There is a 2.9 litre custom made inconel Heliox bailout OC cylinder as well as a hot plug whip that can be used to hook-in offboard gas to CC or OC. The harness was made by AP Valves, Helston.

A Training animation (called "Strength in Depth") was commissioned by the Royal Navy thru 'Visua' (SSVC) and authored by 'Graphimator' Rod Lord who's team did the pioneering animation in the BBC's first rendition of 'A Hitchhiker's Guide' - the Babel fish.

I'm hoping Rod will allow us to link to a version of this superb animation. Perhaps the only animation of a closed-circuit rebreather done to date.