CCR for the Overhead Environment Diver

As global and local explorers, we have extensive knowledge of the challenges and benefits of diving with a closed-circuit rebreather in an overhead environment. We have used rebreathers at great depths and in as little as 1 meter/ 3 feet of water. Our team is full of active cave explorers that utilize Rebreathers for their exploration efforts. It is the weapon of choice for ProTec staff when it comes to looking for virgin cave. We have navigated no mount restrictions, scootered thousands of feet back into the cave, surveyed, dealt with failures and potentially life threatening situations all whilst pushing the limits of cave exploration on rebreathers. This experience puts us in a unique position and we are proud to be part of the team that developed this course for PSAI. 

With that being said, diving with a CCR rebreather in the caves in Mexico is among some of the most challenging diving you will do. Due to the shallow nature of the caves, precision buoyancy control is mandatory. As a CCR diver, you know that controlling buoyancy in shallow water can be difficult. During this course, we focus quite a bit on maintaining control in shallow water, both outside and inside the cave.

We review the correct procedures and protocols for emergency situations in an overhead environment and discuss how they relate to the rebreather. In fact, because of the nature of rebreather diving, we focus on optimizing for fluency during our emergency drills. We also cover how to dive in a mixed team, where you may be the only rebreather diver. Not only is it important to know how to help your fellow divers should they encounter an emergency, but you must also be able to clearly communicate how they will be able to assist you, should you need help. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the water covering a lot of exercises. 

Many people ask us if it is necessary to complete this course if they are already certified cave divers and CCR divers. We believe this course is helpful to anyone considering entering a cave with a rebreather. We have not had any clients with both certifications say they didn’t learn a lot  in this course, in fact, most tell us that they have a greater understanding of their rebreathers and are very happy they took the class. 

We teach on the Kiss Sidewinder and also on other units when the student is already a certified user. (JJ, Megalodon, KISS Classic, ReVo, KISS Sidekick, Pelagian, XCCR, KISS Sidewinder).

Certification for this course is offered through PSAI Mexico. This course takes a minimum of 9 days to complete and is available to all certified Rebreather Divers with 50 dives and 50 hours logged prior to the class. 

Course Content Includes:

• The benefits of rebreather diving in the overhead environment
• Special considerations for your configuration including streamlining and maintenance.
• Emergency procedures
• Equipment failure
• Zero visibility exits
• Team diving
• Dive planning and execution 

ProTec offers various certification combinations to help you reach your rebreather and cave diving goals. Check out our rebreather and cave diver Training Tracks to help you plan your trip.