CUMA explained

CUMA (Canadian Underwater Mine-countermeasure Apparatus) (commercially called SIVA+) is a make of rebreather underwater breathing set designed and made in Canada for the Canadian Armed Forces by Fullerton Sherwood Engineering Ltd to replace the Royal Navy CDBA.[1]

The unit consists of a back mounted casing, containing its: carbon dioxide scrubber, oxygen supply, diluent supply (both spherical flasks), a mechanical ratio regulator, electronic PPO2 monitoring, and all of the valves and fittings. The remainder of the breathing loop consists of a pair of chest mounted counter lungs connected by the usual loop of wide corrugated breathing tubes running from and to the top of the backpack. It has a small bailout cylinder horizontally across the bottom of the backpack casing which is plumbed directly into the divers breathing loop.[2]

It is a self-mixing semi closed circuit rebreather (SCR). A constant flow of oxygen is mixed with a diluent volume dependent on the ambient pressure.[1] The deeper the diver dives, the more diluent is added, and thus the leaner the supplied breathing mix. The correct oxygen setpoint is monitored electronically and alerts the diver via a heads-up-display (HUD) if it is not being correctly maintained. The CUMA is capable for diving to a depth of 90 meters (295 feet) or a maximum working pressure of 10 ATA. It can be calibrated for the use of different diluents such as: air, trimix, heliox, or pure helium.[1]

Its first prototype set was made in March 1987.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Chapple, JCB . Eaton, David J . Development of the Canadian Underwater Mine Apparatus and the CUMA Mine Countermeasures dive system. . Defence R&D Canada . Defence R&D Canada Technical Report . DCIEM 92–06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090808203833/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7981 . usurped . August 8, 2009 . 2009-03-31.
  2. Web site: Micjan, Ron . Canadian Forces CUMA Rebreather . TMIShop.com . 2006 . 2009-04-06.