technical diver LEVEL 1

Closed CIRCUIT

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

Ocean exploration at greater depths has revealed a variety of hidden treasures, including deep pristine reefs, well-preserved wrecks, and valuable historical artifacts. Many pristine dive sites exist just beyond the recreational range, sometimes even specifically because they are beyond the reach of most divers. However, venturing deeper bears inherent risks that can be mitigated with proper training, knowledge, teamwork, and gradual experience.

The GUE Closed-Circuit Rebreather Technical Diver Level 1 course prepares ambitious divers to begin their path to technical diving safely, with confidence, and with a base of solid skills and knowledge.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Divers looking for more sites to explore will enjoy the course, as it will enable longer stays at recreational depths and exploration into depths beyond recreational limits. This class is best suited for divers who want to start to use their rebreather on the kinds of dives it was meant for.

The CCR Technical Diver Level 1 course requires a certification as a GUE CCR Fundamentals diver with 50 non-training dives in the GUE CCR configuration. Divers embarking on a technical path must be prepared to handle emergencies and execute dives during which they will not be able to make a direct ascent due to decompression obligations. This type of diving requires an increased level of physical fitness, as there is more equipment to handle, and decompression stress is increased.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

CCR Technical Diver Level 1 is a six-day class designed to prepare you to dive to a maximum of 170’ using trimix and a single nitrox bailout decompression gas (either 50% nitrox, or 100% pure oxygen). We’ll cover the theory and in-water skills essential for technical diving — dives where the surface is no longer an immediate option. We’ll cover the three major risks of technical diving (running out of breathing gas, exposure, and decompression illness) and how to mitigate each.

We’ll build on your knowledge and skills from previous GUE courses and improve your ability to plan dives and anticipate gas needs in emergency and non-emergency scenarios. You’ll learn how to manage failures on your rebreather as well as failures on your onboard open-circuit bailout. We’ll practice bailout ascents, including bailout ascents from technical depths.

The first two days of this course are focused primarily on introducing critical in-water technical diving skills; the gas switch, manifold failure management, reel use, entanglement resolution, etc. Days three and four building your ability to perform precision ascents, and reinforcing the skills we’ve already introduced.

The final two days of the class are focused on building real-world technical diving experience. On day five, we’ll perform two shorter, relatively conservative trimix dives. On day six, we’ll do a single trimix dive to the limits of the class. Upon successful completion of the final trimix dive (provided you’ve passed the exam and the swim test), you’ll earn a GUE Closed-Circuit Rebreather Technical Diver Level 1 certification.

WHAT NEW EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?

Applicants for the Technical Diver Level 1 course will need to supply several pieces of equipment that aren’t used in GUE Fundamentals:

  • At least one 40 cubic foot aluminum cylinder (Al40) or one 80 cubic foot aluminum cylinder (Al80), rigged and marked for use with 50% nitrox. The configuration, marking, and rigging of this tank will be covered in detail before class.

  • A properly configured stage regulator for use with your decompression cylinder.

  • A separate drysuit inflation system consisting of a small inflation bottle (typically a 6 cubic foot aluminum cylinder), an inflation regulator, and rigging (a small strap and length of bungee).

  • Two backup lights.

  • A reel (optional, but recommended). All divers in the course will learn to use the reel, even if they don’t own one.

PREREQUISITES AND DURATION

Applicants for a GUE CCR Technical Diver Level 1 program must:

  • Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

  • Be physically and mentally fit.

  • Be a non-smoker.

  • Be able to swim.

  • Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.

  • Hold a GUE Closed-Circuit Rebreather Fundamentals certification.

  • Have conducted at least 50 non-training dives in the GUE CCR configuration following completion of GUE Closed-Circuit Rebreather Fundamentals certification. Dive experience must be verified through submission of a dive log to the instructor.

  • If using a drysuit during the course, have conducted at least 25 non-training dives in a drysuit or have conducted 15 non-training dives utilizing a drysuit following completion of GUE Drysuit Primer certification.

  • For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.

The Closed-Circuit Rebreather Technical Diver Level 1 course is normally conducted over six days. It requires a minimum of seven dive sessions and at least forty-eight hours of instruction, encompassing lectures, land drills, and at least ten hours of dive time.


COURSE SCHEDULING & COSTS

Please see the Course Scheduling & Costs page for more information about how to schedule a class and costs related to taking a GUE course.