Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
THE BRITISH SUB▼AQUA CLUB
TECHNICAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
SYLLABUS
drÄger Dolphin Semi-Closed
REBREATHER DIVER
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 Marshal
● 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 300 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.
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
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) ‘octopus’ 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
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS
BSAC Dräger Dolphin Rebreather Diver training is required to be carried out by an approved BSAC SemiClosed 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.
Instructor 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.
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
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.
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
LESSON SYLLABUS
Instructor briefing
Theory LessonCourse 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
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
Theory lesson Dive Conduct and Potential Problems
● Dive conduct
o Before the dive
o During the dive
o Between dives
o End of the day
● Problem identification
● Rebreather issues
● Open circuit Bailout
Open Water Lesson Basic Skills and Buoyancy
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Open Water Lesson Vertical Ascents and Descents
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Theory Lesson Gas Physiology
● Review pressure and gas laws
● Calculate
o Partial pressure of Oxygen
o Maximum operating depth
o Best nitrox mix
● Inspired oxygen
● Oxygen toxicity
● Cylinder duration
● Equivalent narcotic depth
Theory lesson Dive Planning
● Gas selection
● Jet selection
● Inspired gas fraction
● Dive time
● Gatepost analogy
● Cylinder duration
● Bailout considerations
● Dive pairings
Open Water Lesson Bailout from 15 metres
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
Open Water Lesson Controlled Buoyant Lift
● See skills matrix for lesson content
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
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Open Water Lesson Optional Assessment Dive
● See skills matrix for lesson content
Theory Knowledge assessment
Open forum and course debrief
Disperse
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
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.
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
Skills Matrix
Skills Matrix
Dive number
Skills
DNO1
DNO2
Breath control
6m
15m
Static lung loading
6m
DNO3
DNO4
DNO5
DNO6
DNO7
6m
20m
10m
10->30m
10m
Waterside checks
Kit up
Buddy checks
Gas-gauge-gag
Venting mouth
Venting nose
Pre-breathe
Entry
Ladder
Wading
Deep water
Forward role
Check weighting
Buoyancy control
Vertical descent
Handstand
6m
Barrel roles
6m
Controlled buoyant lift
10m
Mouthpiece drills
6m
6m
Close/open
6m
6m
Close/remove/recover/open
6m
6m
Bailout to AAS
15m
20m
15m
Donor/receive AAS
6m
20m
15m
Horizontal AAS
6m
20m
15m
6m
15m
15m
Donor/receiver AAS to 6m
15m
Bailout to surface direct
Voice communications
20m
Hose clearing
Venting unit
Mask clear
15m
15m
20m
15m
Exit
3-6m
20m
15m
15m
6m
20m
20m
30m
20m
6m
6m
6m
30m
20m
6m
Swimming
6m
Constant depth
6m
Simulated decompression stop
3m
15m
Changing depth
Workload exercise
6m
Surface swim – use AAS
AV + tow
De-kit/Prep landing
Dive plan exercise
Exit
Wade
Copyright © BSAC 2006
Dräger Dolphin Semi-Closed Rebreather Diver Syllabus
Copyright © BSAC 2006