TDI Air Diluent Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver

Benefits or Features

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities utilizing the CCR to a maximum depth of 30 metres / 100 feet, utilizing air as a diluent

Technical Description

This is the entry level certification course for divers wishing to utilize a closed circuit rebreather (CCR) for air diving. The objective of the course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for diving a CCR and to develop basic CCR diving skills to a maximum depth of 30 metres / 100 feet, using air as a diluent.

No decompression diving is allowed on this course

What will I be learning

The TDI CCR Air Diluent Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

  • History and evolution of rebreathers
  • Comparison of open circuit (OC), closed circuit, and semi-closed circuit, rebreather (SCR) systems noting the pros and cons of each
  • Practical mechanics of the system
  • Gas physiology
  • Proper scrubber packing: in accordance with manufacturers recommendation
  • Electronic or manual systems design and maintenance
  • Dive tables
  • Dive computers
  • Dive planning
  • Emergency procedures
  • Dive checklists
  • Predive checks

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

  • All open water dives must be between 9 metres/30 feet and 30 metres/100 feet
  • Two dives must be deeper than 20 metres/50 feet and one dive must be deeper than 27 metres/90 feet
  • Partial pressure of oxygen not to exceed manufacturers recommendation or a working limit of 1.3
  • All dives to be completed within CNS percentage limits with a recommend maximum of 80 percent of the total CNS limit
  • Where the user opts for an automatic diluent valve (ADV) fitted and approved by the manufacturer, additional skills such as regular diluent gauge monitoring and addition control must be emphasized
  • Unit build up and break down
  • Predive checks
  • Verify diluent and oxygen contents using an analyzer
  • Demonstrate correct predive planning procedures
  • Cover emergency procedures
  • Use of BCD/dry suit and effective management of loop breathing volume for buoyancy control
  • Stop at 13-6 metres/ 10-20 feet on descent for leak/bubble check
  • Electronic system monitoring for partial pressure of oxygen levels (set point) and switching set points
  • Use of lift bag, or surface marker buoy and reel, where appropriate
  • Proper execution of the dive within all pre-determined limits
  • Demonstration of safety stops at pre-determined depths
  • Constant loop volume management
  • Post dive clean of unit
  • Diver maintenance of unit

Before I start

1. Minimum age 18
2. Provide proof of 20 logged open water dives
3. Provide proof as a TDI Nitrox Diver or equivalent from agencies recognized by TDI*
4. If the rebreather is a TDI approved sidemount rebreather, the student must hold the TDI Sidemount Diver certification or equivalent, provide proof of 10 logged sidemount dives, and any additional requirements the sidemount rebreather manufacturer may have.

What do I need

The following equipment is required for each student:
1. A complete closed circuit rebreather
2. Minimum of 1 CCR dive computer, or bottom timer and depth gauge
3. Mask, fins and a suitable line-cutting device
4. Slate and pencil
5. Reel with a minimum of 40 metres / 130 feet of line
6. Lift-bag / delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB) with a minimum of 12 kg / 25 lbs lift
7. Exposure suit appropriate for the open water environment where training will be conducted
8. Access to an oxygen analyzer
9. Appropriate weight
10. Bailout gas supply (and an externally carried redundant air source).

What will I be doing

1. All open water dives must be between 9 metres / 30 feet and 30 metres / 100 feet

2. Two dives must be deeper than 20 metres / 60 feet and one dive must be deeper than 27 metres / 90 feet

3. Satisfactorily complete any additional skills required by the unit specific manufacturer.

4. PO2 not to exceed manufacturer recommendation or a working limit of 1.3 bar

5. All dives to be completed within CNS percentage limits with a recommend maximum of 80 percent of the total PO2 CNS limit

6. Safety stops to be conducted with a minimum 3 minutes at 6 metres / 20 feet

7. Where the user opts for an automatic diluent valve (ADV) fitted by the manufacturer additional skills such as regular diluent gauge monitoring and addition control must be emphasized

TDI CCR Diver