If any of these things sound appealing to you, then taking the PADI Tec 40 CCR (Closed Circuit Rebreather) class is exactly what you are looking for.

What You Learn in the PADI Tec 40 CCR Course

Rebreather Diver Hilma Hooker

At Aquatic Adventures, our PADI Tec 40 CCR certification course features the Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather. The PRISM 2 is a type T CCR, meaning, it is a technical diving rebreather suitable for dives below 40 meters/130 feet. The PRISM 2 is also a type eCCR, meaning set points can be maintained automatically through the sophisticated electronics built into the Prism 2. However, you will be trained to manually control your setpoints with the PRISM during your training.

Your training will include:

• Assembly and disassembly of the Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather
• Care and maintenance of the Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather
• Performing pre-dive operational testing of the Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather using the Hollis PRISM 2 Operational checklists
• Diving air diluent using setpoints between .5 and 1.3 PO2
• Post-dive breakdown and cleaning of the Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather using the Hollis PRISM 2 Post Dive Checklist
• Configuring and using air and/or enriched air bailout bottles to 50% enriched air
• Performing one-stop decompression dives of up to 10 minutes to a maximum depth of 40 meters/130 feet

Student should understand that the PADI Tec 40 CCR course is significantly more challenging than recreational rebreather courses as students are asked to learn both tec diving skills as well as CCR operation.

What is a closed circuit rebreather?

Closed circuit rebreathers (CCRs) are a type of scuba that recirculates exhaled gas through a loop where CO2 is scrubbed out and oxygen is added either manually or automatically via electronics. This differs from open circuit scuba where exhaled gas is expelled into the water.

Closed circuit rebreathers are divided into two classifications. First, closed circuit rebreathers can be classified as Type R rebreathers or Type T rebreathers. A Type R rebreather is a rebreather designed for recreational divers making no decompression dives. Typically they have pre-packed scrubber canisters, an open-circuit second stage supplied by the dilluent cylinder, and automatic setpoint control (eCCR).

A Type T rebreather is a rebreather intended for divers making technical deep dives or cave dives. These rebreathers typically have user-packed scrubber systems, automatic setpoint or manual setpoint control, heads up display warning systems, diluent and oxygen valves, depth capabilities to 100 meters/330 feet, and isolated secondary electronics for operational confirmation and manual operation in the even of a primary systems failure.

Closed circuit rebreathers can also be classified as either eCCRs or mCCRs. eCCRs, also called electronic controled CCRs, control the setpoint throughout the dive, adding oxygen as needed through an electronic controller. A Type T eCCR must also provide manual control of the setpoint in the case of a systems failure.

Hilma Hooker CCR DiverAn mCCR (also called dcCCR) are diver controlled CCRs where the electronics tell the diver the PO2 in the loop and provide warnings, but the diver must monitor displays and manually inject oxygen as necessary to maintain the setpoint.

PRISM 2 Unit Specific Training

The Hollis PRISM 2 (the rebreather unit taught in this course) is a Type T eCCR. This rebreather uses Shearwater electronics to monitor and control the PO2 in the loop. While there are several different closed circuit rebreathers on the market, Aquatic Adventures sells and services the Hollis PRISM 2 because of its simplicity and reliability. When purchasing this unit, Aquatic Adventures is required by Hollis Rebreathers to enroll students in the PADI Tec 40 CCR course as a condition of purchase.

At the conclusion of our PADI Tec 40 CCR course, students will be certified to use the Hollis PRISM 2 exclusively. This requires the student to successfully pass a Hollis Rebreather written exam in addition to the PADI Tec 40 CCR exam. In addition, before using any other make of CCR, students will need to complete the appropriate cross-over training for the other make of CCR.

Prerequisites

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• PADI Enriched Air Diver
• PADI Deep Diver (or proof of more than 10 dives to 30 meters/100 feet)
• 30 or more logged dives
• 10 dives using enriched air below 18 meters/60 feet
• Prior to certification Dive 5, complete PADI Rescue Diver
• Prior to certification, complete 50 logged dives
• 18 years old or older

What's Included in the Course Fee

The registration fee for our PADI Tec 40 CCR course includes instruction only. Students are responsible for all equipment and supplies needed to complete the course. Aquatic Adventures does offer financing to assist students with the course costs. Call Aquatic Adventures at (262) 938-6827 for the current course registration fee.

What Equipment is Required

Students will need to ensure they have the following equipment. We recommend that you call Aquatic Adventures at (262) 938-6827 to set up a time to meet with one of our instructors to discuss equipmment selection. We have provided a list of most of the equipment you will need here:

• PADI Tec 40 CCR Manual
• Hollis PRISM 2 Owners Manual
• Hollis PRISM 2 rebreather
• Hollis PRISM 2 BOV (bailout valve)
• Diluent and oxygen cylinder (3 l/23 cf steel cylinder recommended. Rental required when training internationally)
• Two bailout open circuit regulators (100cm/40 inch LP hose and 15cm/6 inch HP hose with SPG recommended)
• Two 5.7 l/40 cf bailout cylinders (rental required when training internationally)
• Backup CCR dive computer (Shearwater Perdix or Petrel recommended)
• Tribolube or Cristo-lube oxygen compatible lubricant
• Steramine tablets (at least 10 for the course)
• Sofnolime (sufficient quantity for up to 4 days/ 10 hours of diving)
• Oxygen analyzer
• DSMB (50 lbs minimum lift)
• Reel (30 meters/100 feet minimum length)
• Lint free cloth
• Slate
• Line cutter
• Basic save-a-dive tools (including o-rings, cable tie, and bungees)
• Recommended for travel: Pelican 1637 Air Case (for storing and traveling with your CCR)