This course is intended for experienced rebreather divers who wish to use the Poseidon Se7en eCCR for mixed gas dives up to a maximum depth of 60 meters with an oxygen content of at least 16%.
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 Air Diluent Decompression Procedures eCCR Diver or Helitrox Diluent Decompression Procedures eCCR Diver in accordance with ISO 24805 or an equivalent standard, and must additionally provide proof of a Trimix Diver certification from an ISO-recognized organization.
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Diving experience:
- Proof of at least 100 hours of dive time on a Poseidon rebreather is required. All dives must have been conducted at depths greater than 9 meters. Of these dives, at least 20 dives must have been conducted at depths greater than 30 meters, and all of these dives must have been performed as decompression dives
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 5 days. This ensures sufficient time to adequately convey and reinforce both theoretical content and practical exercises.
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 1 dive with a total duration of at least 60 minutes are required, conducted at a maximum depth of 9 meters. Fundamental skills are to be reinforced under controlled and safe conditions. 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): Introduction and preparation: A configuration dive with air as diluent for equipment adjustment and safety training must be conducted before the mixed gas phase begins. The maximum depth is 40 meters, and the minimum duration is 60 minutes.
Scope and structure of training dives: At least 6 open water dives with a total dive time of at least 360 minutes must be completed. The dives must be structured step-by-step with depth increases of less than 10 meters
Use of mixed gas: At least 5 dives must be conducted with a mixed gas diluent. The oxygen content must be at least 16%, and the dive depth must be over 40 meters but not exceed 60 meters
Decompression dives: At least 4 dives must be conducted as decompression dives. Of theese, at least 2 dives must be conducted at depths greater than 50 meters. Additionally, at least 1 dive must have total duration of over 60 minutes. The maximum decompression time for the first 2 dives is 30 minutes each, while from the third dive onward, a maximum of 60 minutes of decompression is allowed
Theory Sessions:
- Special features of helium and the use of trimix
- Problems arising from the use of oxygen, helium and nitrogen
- Gas physiology for rebreather diving with trimix
- Medicine for rebreather diving with trimix
- Technique / configuration
- Dive checks
- Gas management and bailout strategy
- Diving practice
- TG calculation and planning for normoxic trimix dives (MOD, CNS, OTU, EAD, END)
- Determination of decompression data
- Working with formulas
- Pre-dive check
- Dive tables
- Blending of diving gases
- Dive computer M28
- Dive planning – Plan your dive and dive your plan
- Procedures and procedures for emergencies
- Checklists of the Poseidon Se7en
- Equipment maintenance
- Sensor management
- Loop configurations
- Additional equipment available
- Knowledge of the importance of updating the user manual regularly, performing all software updates, complying with the maintenance specifications of Poseidon Diving Systems AB, understanding the risk of contaminated oxygen systems, and the importance of regular diving medical examinations
Training Sessions:
- Session 1 (Open water with maximum 20m diving depth)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Switch to Bailout gas and set the M28 to OC
- Controlled ascent to 6m and perform a simulated decompression stop of 1 minute
- SMB set; Then perform a controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 2 (Open water with a maximum diving depth of 30m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Switch from Se7en to stage 1 (bailout gas 1 – depth gas), after approx. 5 min switch to stage 2 (bailout gas 2 – deco gas), setting the M28 to thecorresponding gas in OC mode at each gas change
- Switch from bailout gas 2 back to the Se7en and reset the M28 to CC mode
- Rescue exercise: Simulation of an unconscious eCCR diver, Bringing the diver to the surface while maintaining buoyancy control, establishing a stable floating position there, and transporting to shore/boat
- Session 3 (Open water with a maximum diving depth of 30m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Detach the 1st stage cylinder, attach it to the reel/spool and swim approx. 10m away
- Remove mask and swim back along the deployed line without mask, put mask back on and clear it
- Detach reel/spool from the 1st stage, reattach the stage and stow the reel/spool
- Switch to bailout gas 1 with the exercise “stage regulator free flows” for at least 1 minute. Then switch back to the Se7en
- At the end of the dive, ascend to 12m and deploy the SMB, Controlled ascent to 6m
- Then perform a controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 4 (Open water with a maximum depth of 48m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at different depths
- Switch to bailout gas (stage) and set the M28 to bailout gas
- Speed-controlled ascent to 21m
- Switch to deco gas and set the M28 to the deco gas, Controlled ascent with simulated stops at 18m,15m, 12m, 9m, 6m
- Deploy SMB and then ascend to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 5 (Open water with maximum diving depth of 50m)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at different depths
- Observe the no-decompression limit, Controlled ascent with simulated stops at: 18m,15m, 12m, 9m, 6m
- SMB set to 6m and then ascent to the surface at 1m/min.
- Session 6 (Practice dive in open water with a maximum depth of 55 meters and a maximum decompression time of 20 minutes)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at different depths
- Deep stops and deco stops as indicated by the M28
- At 6m, set the setpoint to 0.7bar and manually maintain a PPO2 of 1.3bar
- Deploy SMB and then ascend to the surface at 1m/min
- Session 7 (Training dive in open water with a maximum depth of 60 m and a maximum decompression time of 30 minutes)
- Flush the counter lungs, linearity test, bubble checks, maintaining buoyancy control
- Diving at different depths
- Deep stops and deco stops as indicated by the M28At 6m, deploy SMB
- Controlled ascent to the surface at 1m/min
After the Course
After successful completion of the course, graduates are authorized to conduct technical dives with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR to a maximum depth of 60 meters using a mixed gas diluent with an oxygen content of at least 16%, provided that the dive activities follow the procedures taught in the course and that the operational and environmental conditions are similar to those covered in the training.
Successful completion of the course also qualifies graduates to enroll in the Poseidon Advanced Mixed Gas course.
A refresher course is mandatory after a period of inactivity of more than 6 months.