Poseidon Se7en Advanced Mixed Gas eCCR Instructor

This course represents the entry-level instructor training for diving instructors who wish to teach the Poseidon Se7en eCCR Advanced Mixed Gas course in the future. The goal of the training is to specifically prepare instructors for the independent conduct of this course. In doing so, the skills and procedures with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR are expanded, which are necessary to train participants safely and competently within the manufacturer-specified depth limit of a maximum of 100 meters for dives using Trimix with 16% oxygen or less.

Participants will learn to:
  • Dive parameters and safety requirements
  • PPO2 limit: Maximum PPO2 value, Manufacturer specifications, Decompression tables
  • CNS limits: CNS requirements, Recommended utilization
  • Safety stops
  • Practical skills of the instructor candidate: Gas analysis, System check, Scrubber canister filling, Unit assembly, Error messages, Software knowledge, Reef app
  • Dive planning and execution: Planning, Execution, Participant evaluation, Error recognition, Safety management
  • In-water techniques: Buoyancy control, ADV usage, Bailout, Mask clearing, Loop re-entry, Flooded loop, Ascent techniques, Buddy checks, Simulated emergency
  • Rescue scenario: Execution of a complete simulated rescue
  • Post-dive procedures and equipment management: Stage handling, Water exit, Unit disassembly, Equipment cleaning
  • Rebreather maintenance: Care and preservation, Sensor replacement, Mouthpiece replacement, Smart battery
  • Dive debriefing
  • Evaluation of teaching competence
Prerequisites
  • Certification: The candidate must be certified as a Poseidon Se7en eCCR Advanced Mixed Gas Diver in accordance with ISO 24807. In addition, certification as a Poseidon Se7en eCCR Mixed Gas Instructor with at least 15 certified participants is required. Proof of at least one year of instructional experience on the Poseidon Se7en eCCR at the Mixed Gas level must also be provided.
  • Minimum age: The candidate must be at least 21 years old.
  • Diving experience: At least 30 verified mixed gas dives on the Poseidon Se7en eCCR must be documented, of which at least 25 must be dives beyond 60 meters using Trimix. The candidate must also have been certified as a rebreather diver for at least 12 months. In addition, admission by a Poseidon Training Examiner is required. A valid diving medical examination as well as first aid training including oxygen administration (Oxygen Administrator) must also be provided, if legally permitted. No quality assurance procedures may have been initiated against the candidate within the past 12 months.
  • Note on course admission: Before the start of the IDC training, the instructor candidate must be officially registered with Poseidon Training. Participation is only permitted after approval by Poseidon Training and the Poseidon Rebreather Management Team (RMT). This confirms that all required prerequisites of the candidate are met.
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.

Written instructor test: Before completing the course, a written test with official instructor test questions must be taken. This serves to improve understanding in the analysis and evaluation of error messages of the Poseidon system.

Course duration: The total duration of the course should be at least 5 days to ensure thorough training.

Theory and Briefing: The theoretical part of the course includes briefings, orientations, and basic training units. The minimum amount of theory and briefing time is 8 hours. Part of this can be conducted as workshops on equipment maintenance, provided it supports the training objectives.

Pool or confined water (swimming pool–like conditions): At least one dive must be conducted, with a minimum of 60 minutes of training in the pool or confined water, to a maximum depth of 9 meters. Practical exercises in a pool environment are conducted at the discretion of the instructor trainer. The exact number and duration of exercises depend on the participants’ progress and safety.

Open water (sea, lake, quarry, river, or similar): As part of the open water training, at least 4 dives must be completed, with a total minimum dive time of 240 minutes. These dives must not take place in an overhead environment. No more than 2 dives may be conducted per day.

Implementation and Quality Guidelines: All in-water skills must be demonstrated by the instructor trainer at demonstration quality. The instructor trainer must continuously supervise, directly assess, and be present in the water during each training session.

Participant Limitation: The maximum number of candidates per instructor is determined by the instructor-to-student ratio applicable to the respective training level, in accordance with the Poseidon Training Framework Conditions and Workflows.

Documentation: All open water dives must be documented in writing by the participant at the end of each training day. The responsibility for verifying and ensuring the completeness of the logs lies with the instructor trainer.

Theory Sessions:

  • Pedagogical requirements for instructor candidates: Theoretical presentations, Answering questions, Knowledge assessment, Explanation of program limits
  • History and development of rebreathers: Historical overview, Key milestones
  • Comparison of open-circuit (OC) and closed-circuit (CC) systems: Functional principles, Advantages and disadvantages
  • System mechanics in practice: Assembly and disassembly, Construction and design, Disinfection and decontamination, Scrubber maintenance, Water traps and moisture management, Device layout and design
  • Function of components: Bailout valve (BOV), Head-up display, Manual addition valve (MAV), Third sensor – CPOD, Automatic diluent valve (ADV), Breathing loop volume, Overpressure and inhalation/exhalation valves
  • Gas physiology: Oxygen toxicity (O2), Nitrogen and helium uptake, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Gas interactions, Review – equivalent air depth (EAD) theory
  • Gas consumption: Influencing gas consumption, Depth changes and buoyancy behavior
  • Scrubber and CO2 absorption: Filling the scrubber, Factors influencing absorption duration, Scrubber types
  • Electronic and manual systems: Oxygen metabolism, Sensor management, System electronics, Fail-safe mechanisms, Software configuration, Smart battery and battery status, Self-test initiation
  • Control checks: Oxygen supply, Diluent quantity, Battery supply, Time to surface (TTS) alarm, OTU and CNS exposure, RNDT (modified with Deco 60 meter battery)
  • Electronic display and control units: Head-up display (HUD), Electronic module (E-Module), Manual addition valve (MAV), Third sensor – CPOD
  • Breathing performance and influencing factors: Gas selection, Gas density, Breathing volume and consumption, Rebreather design features, Trim and diver posture, Counterlungs, Equipment configuration, Loop volume
  • Preparation, checklist and pre-dive check: Firmware update and system adjustment, Poseidon Se7en checklist, Negative pressure test
  • General dive computers: Gas mix configuration, O2 data integration, Decompression modeling
  • M28 dive computer: Safety features and model integration, Adjustable mix, Constant PPO2, Oxygen integration
  • Dive planning: Operational planning, Limits
  • Logistical aspects: Transport of equipment, cylinder configurations, and emergency equipment
  • Buddy system: Team structure and definition of objectives, Checklists and system control, Dive execution, Emergency support, Bailout usage
  • Emergency procedures: Application of emergency procedures, BADDAS protocol, Handling of the “Three-H problems”, Flooded loop, O2 sensor warnings, Measures in the event of technical/system-related incidents, Battery warnings
  • Cleaning, consumables, and maintenance of the Poseidon Se7en: Cleaning and disinfection, Oxygen sensors, CO2 absorbent, Batteries Gas supply
  • Maintenance requirements, system care, and diving fitness: Digital training materials, Software and firmware updates, Manufacturer specifications Oxygen safety, Medical fitness for diving
After the Course

After successful completion of the IDC course, graduates are eligible to be admitted to the Instructor Evaluation (IE). If the Instructor Evaluation is successfully passed and all required documents from the IDC and IEC have been fully submitted, processing will be carried out by Poseidon Training and the Rebreather Management Team.

After successful processing and approval, the graduates are qualified to teach the Poseidon Se7en Advanced Mixed Gas eCCR Diver course. The defined maximum dive depth of 100 meters when using Trimix as a diluent must be strictly observed. This is a manufacturer-specific training program designed exclusively for the Poseidon eCCR system.