Rebreather Courses

What is a rebreather ?

A rebreather takes your exhaled breath, retains it in a loop, filters it, refreshes it and delivers it back to you for you to breathe again. So what does that give you in real terms, well firstly massive gains in air consumption. A rebreather can offer you atleast 3.5 hours bottom time regardless of depth !.

Another major advantage of rebreathers - decompression efficiency - stems from these devices' ability to deliver the optimum gas mixture for a given depth. A semi-closed system (e.g. Draeger Dolphin), will provide nitrox or mixed-gases that can be custom-blended for the intended depth of the dive. Fully-closed rebreather systems (e.g. APD Inspiration/Evolution) are often computer controlled and can actually change the gas mixture based on depth and the nature of the dive.

Dolphin Draeger SCR

APD Inspiration CCR

These characteristics allow rebreather divers to dramatically extend their bottom time or to shorten decompression obligations when engaged in extended range diving. For example, a fully-closed rebreather diver can perform a dive profile of 20m for over 3 hours with NO DECOMPRSSION requirements!

Also, in contrast to traditional scuba systems, which emit noisy streams of bubbles with each breath, rebreathers offer the advantage of quiet operation. Making it great for getting up close and personal to all that amazing fish life down there.

Dive HQ Hibiscus Coast offers a full range of rebreather courses for both Draeger semi-closed and APD fully closed units. We are the ONLY Dive Center in New Zealand that has Inspiration and Evolution Rebreathers in store for use on courses and for rental once qualified. This allows people interested in learning to dive on CCR rebreathers the opportunity to train and gain experience without having to outlay a large investment by purchasing a rebreather.

Please find below a list of rebreather courses available at Dive HQ Hibiscus Coast. These courses are run on demand, please contact us with your preferred dates.

Draeger SCR Rebreather Diver Course (PADI, TDI, BSAC)

This is the entry-level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilise the Draeger Nitrox semi-closed circuit Rebreathers. The objective of this course is to train recreational divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for using any of the Draeger SCR Rebreather Series. Upon completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities utilising the Atlantis I Rebreather/Dolphin I to a maximum depth of 40m, or 22m if trained on the Ray.

What do I need to start?

Minimum age: 15 years
TDI Nitrox Diver (may be combined in program), or equivalent

How long will it take?
Two days with four open water dives (minimum of 100 accumulated minutes).

Inspiration/Evolution CCR Rebreather Diver Course (TDI, BSAC)

This is the entry-level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilise the APD Inspiration Closed Circuit Rebreather. The objectives are to train recreational divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for rebreather diving on the Inspiration CCR and to develop basic rebreather skills appropriate to diving within the normal recreational depth limits of 40m using an air diluent for minimal decompression (deco stops at 6m to a maximum of 5 minutes duration).

What do I need to start?

Minimum age: 18 years
Verified log of 70 dives
Advanced Nitrox Diver (may be combined with the program) or equivalent

How long will it take?
Five days (a minimum of 120 minutes training in confined water and a minimum of 6 dives).

Inspiration/Evolution Mixed-Gas CCR Rebreather Course (TDI, BSAC)

This is the highest-level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilise the Ambient Pressure Inspiration Closed Circuit Rebreather for mixed gas diving. The objective of this course is train recreational divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for mixed gas rebreather diving on the APD Inspiration CCR and to develop advanced rebreather diving skills appropriate to technical diving to a maximum of 60m, utilising any diluent appropriate to the dive plan If however, the student has open circuit Trimix experience of 15 dives beyond 50m following a Trimix Course then the Instructor may decide to qualify the student up to 90m.

What do I need to start?

Minimum age: 18 years
A minimum of 100 rebreather hours (over a minimum of 100 dives on the Inspiration)
TDI Trimix Diver or equivalent. The course may be combined with the rebreather course
Have completed the TDI Air Diluent Rebreather Course

How long will it take?
Four days with six dives (2 shallow water equipment configuration and drills practice, one being a maximum 40m air diluent dive using new configuration of equipment). If the course is to be combined with the Trimix Diver requirements then a further 2 dives must be undertaken. Only two dives are on air diluent, all others are to be mixed gas dives.

Please Note: We can provide BSAC Mixed Gas Rebreather courses for ANY TYPE of CCR rebreather, given you have a valid training qualification for the type of rebreather you use from a recognised training agency.