Ok first I know that I can accomplish the quest without the rebreather, but I want it to explore underwater with. Every time I go to Jack as suggested by Loyal, he tells me "Go to hell outsider. Stay away from me." anyone got any suggestions?

Did you piss him off?

Only had one interaction with him where he almost slipped about the lady, that's it.

You probably pissed him off in that conversation about his lady friend. I am guessing you didn't offer to find her for him?

He wouldn't tell me about her, so I couldn't offer.

Did you need speech in order to open up his lady friend talk? I forget lol, but yea your screwed you should have increased your speach or gotten the bachelor perk to open it up. Your pretty much screwed on getting that breather if you pissed him off.