This next level course to educate divers on the advantages, hazards, and correct procedures for diving with a rebreather, and to teach basic eCCR diving skills up to a maximum depth of 40 meters using air as a diluent for decompression dives.
Participants will learn to:
- Pre-dive and preperation checks
- Demonstrate planning procedures before the dive, System identification and redundancy planning, Selection of conservatism (gradient factors), Assessing thermal limitations, Planning emergency decompression
- Rescue and ascent procedures, Managing gas loss scenarios, Communication using hand signals or audible signals, Identifying damaged hoses / loops, Flooded scrubber canister / CO2 breakthrough, Dealing with oxygen value deviations, Flooded breathing hose / loop, Electronics and battery failure, Loss of buoyancy
- Bubble check / linearity test at 3–6 meters depth, Electronic PPO2 monitoring and setpoint adjustment, MAV control, Operating head-up display and dive computers, Monitoring the dive buddy throughout the dive, Monitoring the remaining life of the CO2 absorbent
- Removing, replacing, and clearing the mask, Removing, switching, and clearing the backup mask, Using lift bags / SMBs and spool/reel, Adhering to dive limit, Conducting safety stops, Consistent management of loop breathing volume, Behavior in mixed diving teams (OC and eCCR), Switching to bailout and safe OC ascent
- At the surface: Establishing positive buoyancy with the BCD and closing the mouthpiece, Demonstrating manual inflation of the BCD at the surface
- Buoyancy control by maintaining a depth within ±1 meter for at least 90 seconds, Demonstrating proper use of oxygen controls including confirmation of automatic setpoint changes, Demonstrating proper operation of the BOV, Removing water from the breathing hoses, Maintaining optimal loop volume, Maintaining neutral buoyancy while swimming in a horizontal position, Behavior during depth changes: manual gas addition (oxygen, diluent), Performing a diluent flush, Performing simulated decompression stops, Deploying a surface marker buoy (SMB), Controlled ascent with contact to the buddy and correct ascent rate
- Swimming with bailout/decompression cylinder, Removing and reattaching the bailout/deco cylinder while maintaining buoyancy, Deploying SMB / lift bag alone and as a team, Reaction to gas loss from the first stage, pressure gauge, or primary regulator on
- bailout/deco cylinder, Reaction to simulated free-flowing deco regulator, Gas sharing with deco gas between divers for 1 minute, Oxygen rebreather mode at depths <6 meters, Bailout scenario at depth with decompression obligation in open circuit
- Correct placement of the stage at the surface, Exiting the water using an environmentally suitable technique, Proper care and disassembly of the rebreather, Cleaning and disinfection of the device, Flushing the device with freshwater, Rinse and disinfect mouthpiece/BOV, counterlung, hoses, and scrubber sponge, Cleaning and disinfecting the device, Inspecting components of the device, General maintenance of the unit, Removing and replacing sensors if necessary, Charging batteries
Prerequisites
- Certification: The participant must be certified as a Poseidon Se7en eCCR Air Diluent Diver or equivalent, and must provide a valid Advanced Nitrox Diver and Deco Procedures Diver certification from an ISO-recognized organization.
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Diving experience:
- Poseidon Se7en eCCR: Proof of at least 30 logged dives with a total dive time of at least 30 hours on the Poseidon Se7en is required.
- Open circuit (OC): Participants must have completed at least 30 open water dives with a total dive time of at least 25 hours on open circuit. Of these, at least 5 dives must have reached a minimum depth of 30 meters, and at least 5 dives must have been conducted with actual or simulated staged decompression.
- Crossover: For a crossover to the Poseidon Se7en eCCR, proof of at least 10 logged eCCR dives is required. These dives must have been completed within the last 12 months.
Course Structure
Poseidon Training permits instructors to flexibly adapt the course to the number of participants, their skills, and their level of knowledge. This allows for an individualized design of the curriculum to optimally address different learning levels.
Theoretical requirements: For the theoretical part, the Poseidon Training e-learning for the Poseidon Se7en eCCR must be used. To pass the final test, a score of at least 80% of the maximum points is required. All incorrectly answered questions must then be reviewed together with the participant to ensure complete understanding. If the e-learning is not available in the participant’s language, the english version must be used.
Course duration: The course should extend over a minimum of 6 days. This ensures sufficient time to adequately convey and reinforce both theoretical content and practical exercises. The total dive time of the course must amount to at least 480 minutes of diving time.
Theory and equipment workshop: At least 6 hours of theoretical instruction are required, complemented by a 4-hour practical workshop on maintenance. In this, participants gain solid insights into the maintenance of diving equipment and the Poseidon Se7en. Part of this theoretical training is conducted through the e-learning program from Poseidon Training for the Poseidon Se7en eCCR.
Preparatory measures before pool or confined open water (swimming pool–like conditions): Before the first dive, equipment configuration must be carried out. This includes individual adjustments, proper setup, and training in the safe handling of the Poseidon Se7en eCCR equipment.
Pool or confined water (swimming pool–like conditions): At least 2 dives with a total duration of at least 120 minutes are required, conducted at a maximum depth of 9 meters. All new skills must be demonstrated by the instructor in confined open water, and participants must master all skills in this environment before performing them in open water.
Preparatory measures before open water dives: Before the actual open water dives begin, a fully equipped eCCR diver must be towed for 50 meters at the surface. This serves to check the equipment configuration and the diver’s physical performance under realistic conditions.
Open water (sea, lake, quarry, river, or similar): During the open water phase, at least 6 dives must be completed, totaling a minimum of 360 minutes of dive time. The number and duration of dives ensure comprehensive practical training under varying conditions o Dive depth is to be gradually increased per day and per dive and may be extended up to 40 meters, depending on training progress and environmental conditions. This allows for controlled acclimatization to greater depths and targeted reinforcement of previously learned skills under real-world conditions
Theory Sessions:
- History and development of rebreathers
- Comparison of open circuit (OC) and closed circuit (CC) systems
- Functionality of the Se7en
- Gas physiology for eCCR diving
- Medical basics for eCCR diving
- CO2 absorption systems
- Technology / configuration of the Se7en
- Pre-dive/post-dive checks for the Se7en
- Bailout strategy for the Se7en
- PPO2 measurement systems
- Diving practice with the Se7en
- Dive calculation and planning
- Care / maintenance of the Se7en
- Stage handling
- OC/CC comparison – advantages and disadvantages
- Breathing loop and loop volume
- Practical mechanics of the system
- Gas consumption
- Gas supply
- Factors influencing breathing performance
- Factors affecting CO2 absorption duration
- Structure and maintenance of electronic and manual systems
- Functionality of system electronics and calibration procedures
- Dive tables
- M28 dive computer
- Dive planning
- Buddy system
- Procedures and protocols for emergencies
- Maintenance of the Poseidon Se7en and/or rebreathers
- Knowledge of the importance of: regularly updating the user manual, performing all software updates, complying with Poseidon Diving Systems AB maintenance guidelines, understanding the risk of contaminated oxygen systems, and the importance of regular diving medical examinations
Training Sessions:
- Session 1 (confined conditions)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Switching underwater from CC to OC and back to CC, removing the mouthpiece from the mouth, putting it back in, clearing it, and switching back to CC, letting it float up, “catching” it, putting it back in, clearing it, and switching to CC
- Fundamentals of stage handling
- Session 2 (confined conditions)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Closing the mouthpiece underwater, removing it from the mouth, switching to the instructor’s bailout regulator (stage), switching back to the bailout valve, clearing and opening it
- Removing the mask, diving for 2 minutes without a mask, and clearing it using as little air as possible
- Basics of stage handling
- Deploying an SMB and controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 3 (Open water with a maximum diving depth of 10m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Safety exercise: Simulation of a “PPO2 too high” alert, Simulation of hypercapnia
- Basics of stage handling
- Controlled ascent to 6m
- Practicing a safety stop at 6m
- Rescue exercise from 6m depth: Simulation of unconsciousness, Bringing the diver to the surface while maintaining buoyancy control, establishing a stable floating position there, and transporting to shore/boat
- Session 4 (Open water with a maximum diving depth of 20m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Safety exercise: Simulation of a “PPO2 too low” alert
- Switching to bailout gas and controlled ascent from 6m with a safety stop at 3m
- Stage handling
- Deploying an SMB and controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 5 (Open water with a maximum diving depth of 25m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- PPO2 alert – switching the setpoint from 1.3 bar to 0.7 bar (M28) and flushing – closing the oxygen cylinder and monitoring the display until PPO2 alert (0.4 bar) appears on HUD and M28, then reopening the oxygen cylinder (0.7 bar)
- Basics of stage handling
- Performing a controlled bailout ascent from a maximum depth of 25m, maintaining the ascent speed and with simulated decompression stops at 9m and 6m, setting a buoy at 6m
- Controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 6 (Open water with maximum dive depth 30m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Performing a controlled ascent from 30m while maintaining ascent speed and simulating deco stops with 1 min at: 21m, 18m, 15m, 12m, 9m, 6m
- Stage handling
- Rescue exercise from 6m depth: Simulation of unconsciousness, Bringing the diver to the surface while maintaining buoyancy control, establishing a stable floating position there, and transporting to shore/boat
- Session 7 (Open water with maximum dive depth 40m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at varying depths down to 40m while maintaining buoyancy with a maximum decompression time of 15 minutes in a closed circuit
- Controlled deco ascent according to M28 instructions
- Deploying an SMB at 6m
- Session 8 (Open water with maximum dive depth 40m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at varying depths down to 40m while maintaining buoyancy with a maximum decompression time of 15 minutes in a closed circuit
- Controlled deco ascent according to M28 instructions
- Deploying an SMB at 6m
After the Course
Conduct decompression dives with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR to a maximum depth of 40 meters, provided that the scope of activities and environmental conditions are substantially similar to those of the training.
Qualified to enroll in the Poseidon Helitrox Diluent Decompression Procedures course. The certification is valid exclusively for decompression dives up to 40 meters with air as diluent with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR.