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Matt Cave Diving in Mexico with the White Arrow Explorer CCR Rebreather

IDREO Rebreather Explorer Course RB1

IDREO Rebreather Explorer Course RB1

The IDREO Rebreather Explorer Course RB1 is designed to teach experienced technical or cave divers looking to utilize rebreather technology in all types of diving environments.

We will be covering modern procedures and techniques applied to safe preparation, operational management, efficient maintenance of the rebreather, as well as proper diving techniques.

We have a number of configuration options available including SCR, pSCr, ApSCR and mCCR. 

We will introduce divers to the style and configuration of the unit most interesting to them, followed by shallow confined/open water sessions that will build on comfort, buoyancy, trim, followed by intense skill mastering and real world experience which are the basis of the program.

Divers DO NOT NEED to purchase their own rebreather to take the IDREO Rebreather Explorer Course, as you will have a chance to rent a White Arrow rebreather and learn the various ways to configure the unit to best suit your needs.  From there you can purchase the unit of your choosing , knowing what you want and how you’d like to setup your system, rather than blindly pursuing this endeavor like so many divers do.

Learn the best configurations, modern skill and philosophies that apply to making technical dives on the unit.

Duration
The Rebreather 1 class is normally conducted over a 5-day period. It involves a minimum of 40 hours of instruction encompassing both classroom and in-water work.

Course Limits

  • Student to Instructor ratio is not to exceed 4:1 during any in-water training.
  • Maximum depth 100 feet / 30 meters.

Course Content

The IDREO Rebreather Explorere RB1 course is normally conducted over a 3-5-day period, involving a minimum of 10 hours of instruction and 25 hours of diving experience designed to provide a working knowledge of rebreather diving, including history, design, function, failures, tables, and operational considerations.

Course can also be combined with RB2 over an additional 3-4 days and utilizing additional configuration options like Sidemount, pSCr, pASCr. 

  1. RB Technology :
    1. All Types SCR, pSCR, CCR, ApSCR 
    2. Efficiency vs Injection
    3. O2 drop
  2. Problem Solving : 
    1. Flooding
    2. Lost gas
    3. Volume loss 
    4. Failures 
  3. Accident Analysis. Current up to date
  4. Mixed Gas RB Diving. 
    1. Nitrox and Trimix 
    2. Single gas injection
    3. Multiple gas injection management
    4. RB Decompression Procedures
  5. Advanced gas management & Planning
    1. Stage use, 
    2. RB Sidemount 
    3. Bailout Rebreathers
  6. Decompression techniques 
    1. Decompression rebreathers 
  7. Course Examination

 Required Gear:

a)  Backplate with Harness & Crotchstrap

b)  Backmount or Sidemount Wing

c)  Backgas Reg. set up with 7’/2mt long hose with backup first & second on short hose, as well as Stage Reg (balanced) 40″ LP hose.

d) 1 Safety spool (30mts/100′ open water or 50mts/150′ cave)

e) 1 Primary reel (100+mts)

f)  1 Back up light (4hr each)

g)  knife mounted on waist strap or wrist strap of computer

h) Bottom timer and compass

i)  Back up mask

j)  Wetnotes with pencil

k) SMB with 30mt spool

l) RB Bottles

m) Bailout Bottles & stage rigging

n) Shearwater Petrel 2 EXT dive computer (rentable)

o) Exposure suit suitable for diving environment

Join Cave Explorers Nick Toussaint and Matt Mandziuk for this once in a lifetime learning adventure.

What’s Included?

eLearning Pin Code, Classroom and Open Water Instruction, use Sofnolime CO2 Absorbant and Disinfectant.

teak_isle_northwind_expedition_shipwreck_Lake_huron

Northwind Shipwreck Dive Lake Huron North Channel

Northwind Shipwreck Dive Lake Huron North Channel

Dive the Northwind Shipwreck Dive Lake Huron North Channel. Join us September 1 – 5, 2023 for one of the most amazing wreck diving experiences exploring the shipwreck Northwind and other wrecks in the beautiful North Channel of Lake Huron.

The Northwind Shipwreck is one of the most exceptional intermediate to advanced and technical diving sites in the Great Lakes.

This wreck has it all, size, depth, beauty and tons of stuff to look at and is a must for any diver interested in amazing shipwrecks. For detailed information on this wreck check out the dive sites section and read the page dedicated strictly to the Northwind.

The Northwind is one of the best intermediate wrecks both depth-wise and size-wise, measuring 300′ length in depths of 75′-120′ with a maximum depth of 140′ for certified technical wreck penetration divers and few know it better than we do.

Diver Level

Divers must have a minimum Advanced Certification and cold water experience to dive the Northwind. This trip is open to divers of all levels passed Advanced but wreck penetration into the Northwind is only for divers properly trained with appropriate gear.

Inside the Northwind
Photo by Scott Wilson

Trip Details

Trip includes 3 days diving and 4 nights accommodation in shared lakeside cottages.  Accommodation available from Friday night to Tuesday morning so you can skip the traffic on the holiday Monday and have a nice evening after an epic three days of diving.

Not included are scuba gear, tanks, air fills, meals & gratuities. Please note: be prepared to bring enough tanks for 3 days diving with you in the event we are unable to get fills there. DDS has single and double tanks for rent.

Cost $675 + HST

Northwind Shipwreck

How To Sign Up for the Northwind

1. Phone, email or visit the shop to book.

2. Make full payment to confirm your spot.

3. Fill out the online Diver Registration Form.

Terms and Conditions

Diver Responsibility: All Divers are responsible for insuring they have the appropriate scuba gear for cold water diving, redundancy and exposure protection. No scuba gear, tanks or weights are included. If rentals are needed the diver is responsible to pick them up in store during retail hours. DDS Charters are not guided, private Divemaster can be arranged for an additional fee. All divers are expected to only attend dives within their diver certification level and experience. Lastly, unsafe divers putting themselves and others at risk may be asked to leave.

Cancellation Policy: All Trip Payments are Non-Refundable. If the trip goes full, or you are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed for everything except your non-refundable trip deposit of $200. If the dive charter is cancelled by Dan’s Dive Shop or the boat operator due to unforeseeable circumstances a credit or full refund will be provided.