Skill Development Course Syllabus DRAGER DOLPHIN SEMI-CLOSED REBREATHER AIM To qualify as a BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver who is competent to: Conduct dives with an open circuit buddy who is a minimum of a Sports Diver (or equivalent), within the restrictions of the lesser of the conditions already encountered by either during their training or previous experience and under the supervision of a Dive Manager. Conduct dives with another rebreather diver within the restrictions of the lesser of the conditions already encountered by either during their training or previous experience and within the recommendations of the BSAC publication BSAC Safe Diving. Conduct dives with an appropriately qualified diver to expand their experience, within the limits of their rebreather certification, beyond that previously encountered. An appropriately qualified diver would normally be a minimum of Dive Leader or equivalent, but may also be a Sports diver who has additional relevant qualifications (e.g. Extended Range Diver, Rebreather Diver.) gained through formal training with a recognised agency. Such dives should be under the supervision of a Dive Manager who is ideally but not necessarily an experienced rebreather diver. Dive, subject to a progressive build up of depth experience beyond that encountered during their training, to a maximum depth limit of 40 metres. Plan and conduct dives requiring mandatory decompression up to a maximum of 10 minutes of decompression stops. Rescue another similarly equipped SCR diver from depth to the surface (It is accepted that the students are able to rescue an open circuit diver to the surface by virtue of the course entry requirements) Conduct dives where other divers, capable of providing assistance and rescue management skills, are available at the surface. COURSE OUTLINE The Dräger Dolphin Rebreather diver course consists of the following elements: Ten classroom lessons. A theory assessment. One or more sheltered water lessons of not less than 60 minutes total in-water duration. Five open water lessons, dependant on student performance, with a total underwater duration of not less than 200 minutes and an individual lesson duration of not less than 30 minutes. An optional assessment dive if the instructor deems it necessary. All practical training in both sheltered and open water includes the achievement of specific performance standards at appropriate points throughout the lessons. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
In order to attend this course, students must comply with the following: Be a minimum of 18 years of age Hold a minimum diver grade of BSAC Sports Diver (or equivalent with a valid 35 metre depth certification). Hold a BSAC Nitrox Diver (or equivalent) certification EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION For Sheltered Water training, the following student equipment configuration is assumed: A Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Circuit Rebreather (SCR). Access to an Alternate Source (AS) ctopus demand valve and cylinder contents gauge. An instrument for measuring and indicating FO2 and/or PO2. Mask & fins and snorkel. Weight belt or integrated weights where necessary. When progressing to open water lessons the equipment should also include: A delayed surface marker buoy and reel. An additional surface detection aid (e.g. a folding flag). Protective clothing as appropriate. A depth gauge and watch/timer or decompression computer. INSTRUCTORS REQUIREMENTS BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver training is required to be carried out by an approved BSAC Semi-Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor for the specified rebreather. Assistant SCR Instructors are Open Water Instructors with the appropriate level of diving experience of a minimum of 100 hours whilst using the specified units. They may carry out the instruction of BSAC SCR divers under the supervision of an Approved BSAC SCR Instructor Trainer (or higher). The following levels of supervision apply: Classroom and sheltered water lessons under on-site supervision, Open water lessons under direct (i.e., in-water) supervision The process and prerequisites to qualify as a BSAC SCR Diver Instructor, a BSAC SCR Diver Instructor Trainer or to act as an Assistant BSAC SCR Diver Instructor are defined in the relevant BSAC SCR Diver standards and procedures. INSTRUCTORS RATIOS Classroom Lessons - theory presentation lessons, the maximum ratio of students per instructor is driven by the logistical size, comfort and media presentation facilities. Dry practical lessons - To ensure that the student can fully participate in the exercises and receives effective tuition, the lesson contents assume a ratio of two students per instructor. Practical lessons - student/instructor ratios should comply with the following guidelines: Sheltered water lessons - As for the Diver Training Programme, the sheltered water lesson notes assume the most likely scenario of lessons being carried out in a controlled environment, where time constraints typically impose a one to two hour limit. In order that all students can receive effective tuition during this time, a maximum ratio of four students per instructor is assumed. In less favourable
circumstances, this ratio may need to be reduced appropriate to the water conditions and time available. Where water conditions allow longer lessons, the above ratios may be increased to a maximum of six students per instructor provided that: All students can receive effective tuition within the time available Underwater visibility is a minimum of 5 metres The instructor is of a minimum grade of BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Instructor The instructor has the assistance of another diver, minimum qualification of Dive Leader and Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver, to monitor safety and control of students The lesson briefing includes clear directions as to the role of the assisting diver during skills instruction Open water lessons - Because of the nature of the exercises being taught, the lesson contents assume a ratio of a maximum of two students per instructor, to ensure that each student receives effective tuition. FACILITIES Suitable classroom with teaching aids for formal presentations. A suitable dry area for the dry practical elements. Suitable shallow water dive site (6 metres maximum) for sheltered water skills development. Open water dive sites with depths of 15 metres maximum for open water dives 1 and 2, 20 metres maximum for Open Water Dives 3 and 4, 30 metre maximum for dive 5. The optional assessment dive may be to a maximum of 30 metres. APPROVAL Technical skill development course approval procedure applies. QUALIFICATION Course certification will be issued by BSAC HQ after the event on receipt of a completed certification application form plus a completed Student QA report. The Student QA report is central to the BSAC Quality Assurance system and must be returned with the certification application form for a certification card to be issued.
SYLLABUS Instructor briefing Theory Lesson Course Overview Course objectives Course outline Course implementation Course programme Theory Lesson Introduction to Rebreathers Overview of rebreather history and development Why dive a rebreather Types of Rebreather Cost implications of diving a rebreather Theory Lesson Preparing a Rebreather The Unit Components o Unit Schematic o Component identification The Unit operation o Loop mechanics o Dive Sorb o Gas supply o Dosage device o Buoyancy compensator o Oxy-gauge o Optional computers Theory Lesson and Practical Equipment Care Immediate post dive procedures Disassembly of the unit Clean, disinfect and dry unit Reassemble unit Pre dive checks Action between dives Open Water Lesson Sheltered Water Skills Instructor briefing Theory Lesson Course Overview Course objectives Course outline Course implementation
Course programme Theory Lesson Introduction to Rebreathers Overview of rebreather history and development Why dive a rebreather Types of Rebreather Cost implications of diving a rebreather Theory Lesson Preparing a Rebreather The Unit Components o Unit Schematic o Component identification The Unit operation o Loop mechanics o Dive Sorb o Gas supply o Dosage device o Buoyancy compensator o Oxy-gauge o Optional computers Theory Lesson and Practical Equipment Care Immediate post dive procedures Disassembly of the unit Clean, disinfect and dry unit Reassemble unit Pre dive checks Action between dives Open Water Lesson Sheltered Water Skills Open Water Lesson Controlled Buoyant Lift Theory Lesson Kit Configuration Gas supply Open circuit regulator Direct feed Weighting Computers Safety equipment Theory Lesson Dive Management Liaison Dolphin diver s duty of care
The dive manager o Nitrox trained o Understanding of rebreathers o Understand limitations of divers certifications The dive record slate o Information required from the SCR diver o MOD o Absorbent duration o Pairing divers Boat diving o SCRs and large boats o SCRs and RIBs Dry Practical / Theory Session Rebreather First Aid Caustic burns Disinfectant reaction Use of rebreathers for oxygen administration for diving accidents Open Water Lesson Dive Plan Open Water Lesson Optional Assessment Dive Theory Knowledge assessment Open forum and course debrief Disperse NOTES 1. This is a four day course. It aids continuity of learning to run it over four consecutive days however, it may be run over two consecutive weekends with extra time built in for revision of skills. The course is designed to be flexible with regard to delivery. It is not necessary to run the course in the above order except where indicated however, relevant theory or dry practical sessions should always precede wet practical training. 2. Instructors should base their teaching on the BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver Instructor manual plus the Dräger Dolphin Owners Manual. A set of MS PowerPoint Visual aids plus support documentation should be delivered for this course, and they are issued with the BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver Instructor pack. 3. Suitably qualified BSAC Instructors (or equivalent) who wish to gain the BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver Instructor status should apply to the BSAC Technical Chief Examiner via BSAC HQ.