The objective of this course is to provide already certified Poseidon Se7en eCCR instructors with the advantages, potential risks, and correct procedures to safely dive solo with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR and to competently transfer these skills to others. After successful completion of the course, the instructor is authorized to train participants in solo diving with the Poseidon Se7en eCCR to a maximum depth of 40 meters. Decompression dives and dives in overhead environments are not covered by this training and course guidelines and are therefore prohibited.
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 removal and buoy deployment, Loop re-entry, Flooded loop, Ascent techniques, 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 a certified Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor with an ISO-certified and recognized organization, a certified Poseidon Se7en eCCR Air Diluent Decompression Procedures Instructor with an ISO-certified and recognized organization, and hold certification as an Advanced Nitrox Instructor or an equivalent qualification.
- Minimum age: The candidate must be at least 21 years old.
- Diving experience: A minimum of 250 verified dives must be documented, of which at least 100 must be with nitrox. In addition, at least 100 logged eCCR dives with a minimum of 100 hours are required, including at least 50 dives with at least 50 hours on the Poseidon Se7en. The candidate must also have been an active certified Poseidon rebreather instructor for at least 12 months. Furthermore, the candidate must have assisted with at least one complete unit-specific user course to the satisfaction of the instructor. Proof of a gas blender instructor level from a recognized organization is also required. A valid diving medical examination and first aid training including oxygen administration (Oxygen Administrator) must also be provided, where legally permitted. No quality assurance procedures must have been initiated against the candidate within the last 12 months.
- Note on course admission: Before beginning the instructor candidate’s training, the candidate must be officially registered with Poseidon Training. Participation is only permitted once approval has been granted by Poseidon Training and the Poseidon Rebreather Management Team (RMT), confirming that all required prerequisites have been met.date 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 2 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): Not required for this course.
Open water (sea, lake, quarry, river, or similar): A minimum of 2 dives must be conducted as part of the open water training, with a total bottom time of at least 120 minutes. The dives must not take place in an overhead environment. A maximum of 1 dives may be completed per day. The dives must be supervised by an instructor trainer. The instructor trainer must ensure that all open water dives are logged by the instructor candidate at the end of each training 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
- Why solo diving: History of buddy diving, Pros and cons of buddy diving, Pros and cons of solo diving
- Pros and cons of solo diving: Training and permission, Use of liability release for solo divers, Review of the Poseidon Training form solo diving eCCR
- Who may dive solo: Requirements and scope
- Mentality of solo divers: Personal responsibility, Self-rescue
- When and where solo diving is not allowed: Overhead environments, Decompression and deep dives
- Extended equipment for solo diving: Stage cylinder (≥40cft) with 200bar bailout gas, regulator and pressure gauge, Thermal protection, Diver knife and/or cutting tools, SMBs, lift bag and buoyancy devices, Reel, Navigation aids, Current and ascent/descent lines, Surface emergency signals
- Planning and execution of solo dives: Limits, Off-board bailout (OC), Dive site selection, Informing about planned activities, Contingency planning, Equipment configuration, Gas management, Avoiding entanglement situations
- Navigation: Importance of navigation skills, Mechanical compass, Electronic compass, Underwater tracking systems
- mergency management in solo diving: Flooded scrubber canister, Flooded loop, High/low PPO2, Free-flowing stage regulator, BCD malfunction, Mask problems, Currents, Entanglement, Unplanned decompression obligation, Panic and stress management techniques, Use of buoys or locating tools, Execution of emergency protocol, Emergency response procedure, Handling the „three H problems:“, Oxygen sensor warnings, Measures in case of technical/system-related incidents, Battery warnings
- 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
- 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 Instructor Development Course (IDC), graduates are eligible to participate in the Instructor Evaluation (IE). Upon successful completion of the Instructor Evaluation and submission of all required IDC and IEC documentation, the processing is carried out by Poseidon Training and the Rebreather Management Team.
After successful processing and approval, the graduates are qualified to teach the Poseidon Se7en eCCR Solo Diver course. The specified maximum depth of 40 meters when using air as diluent must be strictly observed. Decompression dives and dives in overhead environments are not covered by this training and course guidelines and are therefore prohibited. This is a manufacturer-specific training program designed exclusively for the Poseidon eCCR system.