Rebreather Diving Standards

Copyright PAN, last revised 23nd June 1998.

• Background definitions.
• Common Core Requirements.
• Semi Closed Circuit.
• Fully Closed Circuit.

PAN Standards: background definitions.

For the purposes of this standard, rebreathers will be distinguished as one of 2 types by the following classifications:

Semi closed circuit

Semi closed is defined as a mixed gas rebreather where the metabolised oxygen is replaced via a source of mixed gas. Designed to operate below the safe depth of pure oxygen rebreathers. Gas is pre-mixed in high pressure cylinders with oxygen levels to suit the depth of the dive.

Fully closed circuit

Fully closed is defined as a rebreather in which the metabolised oxygen is replaced from a source of pure oxygen. Designed for depths exceeding the safe depth of pure oxygen diving, a source of diluent gas is used to keep the ppO₂ within life support range at any depth. The monitoring/control of oxygen may be either electronic, which invariably involves 3 oxygen sensors, or cryogenic control physical gas laws.

Fully closed rigs have relatively stable ppO₂ in the loop, i.e. a variable fiO₂ which decreases in direct and inverse proportion to increased absolute pressure. This is in contrast to semi-closed units in which the ppO₂ increases in direct proportion to depth.

PAN has several ratings:

• Semi Closed Circuit (unit specific)
• Fully Closed Circuit (unit specific)

These ratings are unit specific as rebreathers unlike open circuit equipment may have widely varying safe operating procedures.

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RATING REQUIREMENTS

Common Core

Common core theory and practice requirements, semi closed and fully closed rating.

Theory, common core

the diver must demonstrate a sound understanding of the:

effects of oxygen, both hypoxia and hyperoxia, including PO₂ life support ranges.

rate of oxygen metabolism in divers

calculation of the duration of CO₂ absorbent

variables that effect canister duration

disadvantages of using nitrox supply gas in rebreathers, especially at depths exceeding 30 meters, including ventilitory requirements of the diver, inert gas narcosis, decompression and thermal considerations and canister efficiency.

physiological effects of elevated CO₂ and the ramifications for the rebreather diver.

physiological effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia including warning signs

planning for adequate bailout to the surface, including all required decompression stops

reasons why an OC second stage is required as the 1st option for safety in the event of a loop flood or scrubber failure.

inherent difficulties of starting the CO₂ absorbing reaction in-water and it's implications for divers who have a second rebreather as their only bailout.

Theory, semi closed: (this is also part of every cc-PAN-exam)

the diver must demonstrate a sound understanding of the:

calculation of theoretical fiO₂ in the loop with different flow rates and supply gases.

importance of accurate pre-dive flow rate testing for constant mass flow semi-closed units

duration extension of CO₂ absorption advantage in semi-closed units.

effects/risk of flow rate reductions caused by foreign particles in the constant mass flow orifice.

calculation of equivalent depths, for decompression calculations

Theory, CC: (this is also part of every sc-PAN-exam)

the diver must demonstrate a sound understanding of the:

calculation of adequate diluent volume for the depth of the dive

parameters for choosing a setpoint ppO₂

ways to avoid ppO₂ spikes on descents, part of choice of correct diluent.

Practice, common core

The diver must demonstrate competency in:

pre-dive preparation of all equipment.

pre-dive checks including functioning of check valves, loop integrity via both positive and negative pressure checks, and scrubber functioning via pre-diving the loop for a minimum of 5 minutes.

unit specific pre-dive checks

in water bubble and leak checks.

providing adequate buoyancy in the event of a loop flood. This is simulated by the addition of weight equal to the buoyancy of the loop volume of the rebreather being used, and where appropriate additional weight to simulate suit compression due to depth.

a blue water ascent maintaining a safe ascent rate, and adequate buoyancy control. This is more difficult on rebreathers as there may be 3 pieces of equipment that need buoyancy control: the BC, drysuit, and the loop.

the ability to plan for the bailout requirements of their dive partners, including any required decompression stops.

the ability to conduct all specific bug-identify-, bugfix-, bailout procedures, including those that are opend by the buddy-system.

Buoyancy Mediated Airway Protection

choice of bailout gas(es) to provide a safe ascent to the surface with a PO₂ of no less than 0.16

re-filling the scrubber to minimise chance of channeling

accurate record keeping of dive-time on each canister fill.

cleaning of the unit between dives

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Semi-closed circuit specific requirements

Note: if available PAN uses manufacturer approved training, specific to the unit.

Practice, semi closed circuit rating

For constant mass flow units, the diver must demonstrate competency in pre-dive flow rate testing. This includes introduction of back pressure equal to planned diving depth.

For other types of semi-closed units, such as passive addition systems, the diver must demonstrate competency in the unit specific pre dive checks supply gas flow rate.

the diver must demonstrate a flushthru before any ascent

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Fully closed circuit specific rating requirements:

note: if available PAN uses manufacturer approved training, specific to the unit.

The diver must demonstrate an advanced familiarity with:

partial pressures of gases

mixed gas decompression theory

the ramifications of using helium diluent

the specific unit being dived

the common causes of death and inherent weaknesses of the make of unit they are diving, and ways to avoid them.

Practice, CC

The diver must demonstrate competency and vigilance in the unit specific monitoring and assuring of the ppO2.

the diver must demonstrate calibration of the oxygen sensors. The sensors must be calibrated to 1.0, with pure oxygen. If setpoints greater than 1 are used, the sensors must be calibrated at that setpoint using a pressure pot, or verified using pure oxygen at the relevant depth before descent. If for example the setpoint is 1.3, verify sensor readings with pure oxygen at 3msw.

the diver must show competency in the manufacturers pre-dive checklist, if applicable.

demonstrate an adequate loop flushthru with both diluent and oxygen, as they may differ in procedure due to placement of addition point in the loop.

the diver must demonstrate the ability to control the unit in semi-closed mode, both with the aid of the oxygen sensors, and simulated without sensors using pre-dive manual addition semi-closed calculations. The sensors are NEVER switched off during a dive, they are attentively checked by the dive-comrade when doing such a simulation.

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It is mandatory to assure the loop's ppO2 before/when starting to breath from it. This drill has to be a second nature !

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