Diving using EANx rebreathers
Rebreather EANx qualifications
Equipment for EANx rebreathers
Pre-dive checks and emergency procedures
Employers and self-employed people should ensure that:
- EANx rebreather diving does not take place unless an EANx rebreather dive supervisor is present at the dive site
- only a certificated EANx rebreather diver undertakes recreational diving using EANx rebreathers unless the diver is undertaking training for the purpose of certification as an EANx rebreather diver in accordance with this code
- oxygen partial pressure exposure times are not exceeded
- maximum depth of a dive is based on the PPO2 for the specific EANx breathing mixture used and does not exceed 1.6 bar PPO2
- before a breathing mixture is used, the diver conducts a gas analysis to verify the oxygen content. The results should be recorded in the EANx rebreather dive safety log and on the cylinder.
Rebreathers should not be used for introductory experiences or resort dives in open water for non-certificated diving.
Rebreather EANx qualifications
An EANx rebreather dive instructor should:
- be trained and certificated by a recreational technical diving training organisation to instruct in EANx rebreather diving
- be a certificated recreational scuba dive instructor
- have instructed and certificated at least 25 entry-level or higher level divers
- be qualified as a EANx rebreather diver
- have completed 20 dives using a rebreather
- have successfully completed a rebreather instructor's course on the model being used.
An EANx rebreather dive supervisor should be:
- trained and certificated by a recreational scuba training organisation to supervise diving
- qualified as an EANx rebreather diver.
Before a trainee undertakes a course in recreational diving using a rebreather and EANx, the trainee should:
- be certificated as an EANx diver
- have a minimum of 5 logged EANx dives.
Before being granted certification, the trainee should complete at least one confined water session and four open water dives using the rebreather during training.
Equipment for EANx rebreathers
The equipment that divers using EANx rebreathers should be fitted out with includes:
- fins, mask and EANx rebreather unit
- buoyancy control device fitted with a power inflator devices
- one submersible depth gauge and one submersible timing device, or one dive computer
- submersible cylinder pressure gauges for each cylinder used
- for divers undergoing training, including in semi-closed circuit rebreathers, a PPO2 monitor of the inspired gas which can be read by the diver.
A more complete list of equipment can be found in section 2.2.5 of the Code of Practice for Recreational Technical Diving.
Pre-dive checks and emergency procedures
The employer/self-employed person should ensure the divers are advised about:
- the dive plan
- dive objectives
- maximum depth for the breathing gas
- loss of breathing gas procedures
- buddy separation procedures
- safety requirements
- emergency procedures, including the location of and contact procedures for the nearest recompression facilities
- checking the position and correct operation of their own equipment and that of their buddy's.
The employer/self-employed person should ensure manufacturers' recommendations and/or specifications are followed in respect of:
- pre-dive checks and emergency procedures
- carbon dioxide scrubbers.
More information on diving using EANx rebreathing is available in section 2.2 of the Code of Practice for Recreational Technical Diving.
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