CCR Helitrox Diluent Deco Diver

The CCR Helitrox Diluent Deco diver course in Gozo, Malta is aimed at technical divers looking to use their unit with a limited Trimix, aka Helitrox. Upon graduation, divers are qualified to take their unit to a maximum of 45 m. They will be using a Helitrox diluent and complete decompression dives using a single bailout tank.

Helitrox is a form of limited trimix utilising a maximum of +/- 35% helium within the CCR diver’s diluent to counteract gas narcosis, gas density and CO2 retention.

During the course you will learn the fundamentals required to become a rebreather diver and safely grow your experience including closed circuit decompression diving. On land, we will cover unit-specific build and setup, history and principles of rebreather diving and essential differences between open and, semi closed and closed circuit diving. This includes expanding your knowledge of diving physics and gas physiology and dive planning with a constant PO2 – all based on existing knowledge from previous technical diving training. Scrubber packing and understanding the unit’s mechanics are also part of the course.

In-water, much time will be spent re-learning how to control your buoyancy when breathing in and breathing out make no difference anymore. Balancing the unit to achieve better trim and stability in the water are as important as constantly monitoring what you are breathing. This is especially important when running decompression dives requiring precise depth control. All of this prepares you to deal with contingency situations involving hypoxia, hyperoxia and hypercapnia in a soft overhead environment.