REbreather Courses

Rebreather diving is a phenomenal experience that allows divers to enjoy the underwater realm like never before. Whether your interest lies in up-close-and-personal wildlife encounters, amazing photography opportunities or furthering an exploration, rebreathers offer something for everyone.

​Today's rebreathers are easy-to-use, yet as more and more brands hit the market, the choices and options can be overwelming. Semi-closed circuit or fully-closed? Electronics-driven or manual? Granular scrubber or cartridge? It can be a minefield that's not easy to navigate.

The O2ptima is a fully closed mixed gas closed circuit rebreather. Unlike other products both past and present, this design represents the collaboration of several manufacturers within the diving and safety industries. Each company was able to bring their strengths to this product, increasing safety and reliability. While many designs have needed to evolve over the years, the O2ptima at its release, represented some of the best technology available.

Dive Rite has a long history of serving the diving community with innovative and quality products. Unlike many other companies which concentrate on a specific market, Dive Rite has excelled in delivering products to the recreational diver while still being able to supply cutting-edge equipment for even the most demanding diver.

COURSE CONTENT AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

The IANTD CCR Open Water course is designed to train competent divers in the safer use and technology of CCR for dives requiring up to 15 minutes of decompression.

The course trains divers to dive up to:
160 fsw (48 msw) if using diluent with helium (normoxic) OR
b. 140 fsw (42 msw) if using air as a diluent.

Prerequisites:

Certifications: Student must be certified to the minimum of IANTD Advanced EANx or Advanced Recreational Trimix or equivalent. (Other training agency certifications count)

​Age Requirement: Students must be at least 17 years of age at the start of the course with parental permission. Students 18 years or older may complete the course without parental authorization.

Diver Experience: 
a. Proof of a minimum of 30 logged dives or sufficient experience to satisfy the instructor that the student has the ability and knowledge to continue into this level of training

Crossover Prerequisites & Dive Requirements:
To qualify from one Closed Circuit Rebreather to another Closed Circuit Rebreather, a diver must:

Have 12 CCR dives of which one (1) must have been within 45 days of the program on the new CCR
AND

Must complete a minimum of 200 minutes of open water bottom time training with at least two (2) OW dives.

To qualify from a Semi-Closed Circuit Rebreather to a Closed Circuit Rebreather, a diver with 20 or more SCR dives must:

Complete a minimum of 400 minutes of open water bottom time training in a combination of confined water and OW environments, with at least 6 OW dives.

Required Equipment: 

-One Aluminum 40 bailout bottle, with proper stage rigging. (Available to rent)
-One 1st Stage Regulator.
-One 2nd stage regulator with 26”-36” LP hose
-One 26”-36” LP quick disconnect hose
-One 6”-9” High Pressure hose
-1.5” or 2” High Pressure gauge. (No button gauges allowed please)
-Surface Marker with 50 lbs. lift capacity. (Lift bag or SMB, non color specific)
-Reel with minimum of 150’ of line
-Dive Slate (not wet notes) with bolt snap
-Mask, Fins, exposure protection

Southern Maryland Divers provides CCR training on the Dive Rite O2ptima rebreather. While we strongly encourage that you purchase a unit to complete your training on, we also have  a rental unit in stock for training as well. We can also outfit you with a new O2ptima when the time comes, so before you shop somewhere else, please contact us first. 

Rebreather training is taught on demand, so if your'e ready to start the exciting transition to the world of silent diving, give us a call so we can setup your class.

The class requires a full day of classroom time which includes the academics as well as full tear down and rebuild of the unit along with pre-dive checklist and troubleshooting. After the classroom is done, we will spend at least 120 minutes in the pool, and then over 6 open water dives, we will spend at least 500 minutes of bottom time. 

Course Fee: $1500.00

Payment in full is due a minimum of 30 days prior to class to reserve your seat. Class fees are refundable up to 30 days prior to the start of class for any reason. Class fees may be transferred to another class date, if the cancelation occurs less than 30 days prior to class.

Additional fees outside of the class expenses will include boat charter fees, absorbent and cylinder fills which are available in the shop.

Other expenses outside of class may include:

Pool admission fees – $5 per day off season. Our pool is available free of charge Memorial day through Labor Day

Boat Charter or Quarry Entry Fee's  - Price varies depending on options chosen by the student

One of the most beneficial qualities of a closed circuit rebreather is the ability to complete deeper dives on trimix without the high costs of open circuit trimix fills. With a rebreather, your not exhaling expensive trimix with each breath, so your dives become much less expensive when using a rebreather. 

This program is designed to train those who wish to dive to depths between 130 fsw (39 msw) and 233 fsw (70 msw),
but who do not wish to breathe air below 130 fsw (39 msw). This Program is further designed to train divers in the safer use of Rebreathers for dives using normoxic helium-based gas mixtures.

Prerequisites: 

Must be a qualified IANTD Rebreather Diver on the Dive Rite O2ptima
Must be a minimum of 18 years old.
Must provide proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives of which at least 20 rebreather dives and 25 hours on the unit.

Learning Materials required:

IANTD Rebreather Normoxic Trimix Diver Student Kit which will be provided when you register for the course.

How deep can you dive with the IANTD Normoxic Trimix Diver CCR Program?

No dives may be conducted to depths greater than 200fsw (60msw).

Academic Work: ​

Students will use a combination of self study and classroom time to successfully study for and pass the Normoxic Trimix Diving written test with a score of 80% or higher.

Confined and Open Water Sessions:

A minimum of 300 minutes training in a combination of Confined Water and Open Water environments.
A minimum of four (4) Dives using Air, EANx or Trimix.​​

Three dives must occur at depths of 130ft or greater. One dive must occur at a depth of at least 180ft. 

Equivalent narcotic depth (END) must not exceed 120ft on any dives.

All dives must use at least two decompression gasses and students must show proficiency of using two decompression gasses for safe ascent. 

Required Equipment:

-Adequate bailout bottles based on gas consumption planning to complete dive on OC, with proper stage rigging. (Available to rent)
-One 1st Stage Regulator for each bailout bottle. (Balanced 1st stages or better)
-One 2nd stage regulator for each 1st stage with 26”-36” LP hose
-One 26”-36” LP quick disconnect hose for each bailout rig
-One 6”-9” High Pressure hose for each bailout rig
-1.5” or 2” High Pressure gauge. (No button gauges allowed please)
-Surface Marker with min 50 lbs. lift capacity. (Lift bag or SMB, non color specific)
-Reel with minimum of 150’ of line
-Dive Slate (not wet notes) with bolt snap
-Mask, Fins, exposure protection

- While not required material, we highly recommend you own a trimix gas analyzer. Please contact us before purchasing 

Southern Maryland Divers provides CCR training on the Dive Rite O2ptima rebreather. While we strongly encourage that you purchase a unit to complete your training on, we also have  a rental unit in stock for training as well. We can also outfit you with a new O2ptima when the time comes, so before you shop somewhere else, please contact us first. 

Rebreather training is taught on demand, so if your ready to start the exciting transition to the world of silent diving, give us a call so we can setup your class.

Course Fee: $1500.00

Payment in full is due a minimum of 30 days prior to class to reserve your seat. Class fees are refundable up to 30 days prior to the start of class for any reason. Class fees may be transferred to another class date, if the cancelation occurs less than 30 days prior to class.

Additional fees outside of the class expenses will include boat charter fees, absorbent and cylinder fills which are available in the shop.

Other expenses outside of class may include:
Pool admission fees – $5 per day off season. Our pool is available free of charge Memorial day through Labor Day

Boat Charter or Quarry Entry Fee's  - Price varies depending on options chosen by the student

One of the most beneficial qualities of a closed circuit rebreather is the ability to complete deeper dives on trimix without the high costs of open circuit trimix fills. With a rebreather, your not exhaling expensive trimix with each breath, so your dives become much less expensive when using a rebreather. This benefit is greatly amplified when doing deeper dives that require a trimix blend rich with helium.

This program is designed for those individuals already involved in deep diving activities, but is not intended to be used as an enticement to divers who are content to remain in Sport or EANx diving limits.

Prerequisites:

Must be qualified as an IANTD Normoxic Rebreather Diver OR
If entering the Program based on equivalent experience, must be qualified as:
(OC) Normoxic Trimix Diver OR
(OC) Trimix Diver OR
Must be taking the Normoxic Rebreather Diver and Trimix Diver course on an approved Rebreather for mixed gas diving, with all dives other than confined water made on Trimix or Heliox.

Required Training Materials:

IANTD Trimix Diver Student Kit which will be provided when you register for the course.

How deep can you dive with the IANTD Normoxic Trimix Diver CCR Program?

No dives may be conducted to depths greater than 240fsw.

Academic Work: ​

Students will use a combination of self study and classroom time to successfully study for and pass the Normoxic Trimix Diving written test with a score of 80% or higher.

Confined and Open Water Sessions:

A minimum of 330 minutes training in a combination of Confined Water and Open Water environments.
A minimum of four (4) Dives using EANx, Trimix, or Heliox providing the depths are acceptable for the gas being used.

Three dives must occur at depths between 130ft and 333ft. One dive must occur at a depth of at least 240ft. 

Equivalent narcotic depth (END) must not exceed 130ft on any dives.

All dives must be completed within the IANTD Oxygen CNS% Limits.

All dives must use at least two decompression gasses and students must show proficiency of using two decompression gasses for safe ascent. 

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

-Adequate bailout bottles based on gas consumption planning to complete dive on OC, with proper stage rigging. (Available to rent)
-One 1st Stage Regulator for each bailout bottle. (Balanced 1st stages or better)
-One 2nd stage regulator for each 1st stage with 26”-36” LP hose
-One 26”-36” LP quick disconnect hose for each bailout rig
-One 6”-9” High Pressure hose for each bailout rig
-1.5” or 2” High Pressure gauge. (No button gauges allowed please)
-Surface Marker with min 50 lbs. lift capacity. (Lift bag or SMB, non color specific)
-Reel with minimum of 150’ of line
-Dive Slate (not wet notes) with bolt snap
-Mask, Fins, exposure protection

- While not required material, we highly recommend you own a trimix gas analyzer. Please contact us before purchasing 

Southern Maryland Divers provides CCR training on the Dive Rite O2ptima rebreather. While we strongly encourage that you purchase a unit to complete your training on, we also have  a rental unit in stock for training as well. We can also outfit you with a new O2ptima when the time comes, so before you shop somewhere else, please contact us first. 

Rebreather training is taught on demand, so if your'e ready to start the exciting transition to the world of silent diving, give us a call so we can setup your class.

Course Fee: $1500.00

Payment in full is due a minimum of 30 days prior to class to reserve your seat. Class fees are refundable up to 30 days prior to the start of class for any reason. Class fees may be transferred to another class date, if the cancelation occurs less than 30 days prior to class.

Additional fees outside of the class expenses will include boat charter fees, absorbent and cylinder fills which are available in the shop.

Other expenses outside of class may include:
Pool admission fees – $5 per day off season. Our pool is available free of charge Memorial day through Labor Day

Boat Charter or Quarry Entry Fee's  - Price varies depending on options chosen by the student