The SCR range of programs are one of the most recent additions to the XR family of programs. The decades of expertise behind Mares and rEvo rebreathers were combined to create a unique semi-closed rebreather called the “Horizon”. For divers seeking a revolutionary SCR approach in a system that is easy to use, natural to dive, designed with all levels of diver in mind and developed to provide the utmost security, the SSI SCR training is perfect. The SSI SCR Diving program is a great option for those divers looking to either get up close to marine life, extend their bottom times or generally increase their dive times. The programs are designed to introduce and develop the divers into well-prepared, capable and autonomous rebreather divers. The SSI SCR Diving program provides divers with the knowledge and training necessary to independently plan and conduct semi-closed rebreather (SCR) dives to a maximum depth of 30 meters / 100 feet.
Typical Students
- Potential students will have a moderate amount of diving experiences and enough general diving knowledge to understand the limitations of open-circuit SCUBA and are keen to find ways around those limitations. They do not necessarily have an interest in increasing their depth or in conducting such intense new training but they would like the ability to learn how to dive safety with an SCR within the no-decompression limits.
- Typical students may also be keen photographers or videographers. These potential students are keen to dive the SCR to enable them to have longer bottom times but also, maybe more important, is the proximity that they can get to marine life without disturbing it.
Benefits for SSI Professionals
There is a growing demand in the industry for committed, passionate SCR Diving instructors. The Mares Horizon is a game changer in the market place of SCR Diving and as such training centers are seeking out SCR Diving instructors in order to be able to add SCR training programs to their facility.
SCR Diving instructors bring an additional revenue source to the training center by increasing the variety of programs that can be taught including acquisition programs such as Try SCR. SCR instructors bring their knowledge of the SCR to the training center which will can encourage and promote more students to try it out.
The SCR Diving instructor certification is also a prerequisite for teaching other XR specialty programs in the SCR configuration such as Extended Range Foundations, Cave Diving or Extended Range Wreck Diving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Can the SCR Diving program be taught by an instructor diving in a CCR?
Answer: The answer here is no, the SCR instructor must be wearing the same SCR as the student.
Rational: It goes without saying that accurate and clear demonstrations can only be made when the instructor is in the same equipment configuration as the student. The student needs to accurately see the skill being made on the exact equipment that they are wearing in order for understanding and memory retention. Even after all demonstrations have been completed the instructor should be providing role model performance and actions for the student to observe and replicate.
Question: Can the SCR Diving program be conducted on any SCR unit?
Answer: The answer here is no, the SCR Diving program is built for training with the Mares Horizon SCR.
Rational: Each SCR is unique in terms of its design, function and construction. The skills learned during the SSI SCR Diving program are specific to the Mares Horizon SCR and may not be applied to other SCR units on the market. The certification of the program is explicitly unit specific for the Mares Horizon SCR.
Question: I was registered for SCR Extended Range program but am unable to complete the final two open water dives, can I be certified as an SCR Diver instead?
Answer: The answer here is yes, as long as the performance requirements for the SCR Diving certification have been met you can be certified in SCR Diving. Your instructor will find this program option available when they come to process your certification.
Rational: SSI are very much a progressive training agency and would prefer to provide multiple certification options rather than to provide no certification when a program cannot be completed in its entirety. In this case the student be certified as a SCR Diver and then at a later date can “upgrade” to SCR Extended Range using the “Upgrade” section of MYSSI.
Question: I am an experienced CCR Diving and I want to make the SC R Diving program. Must I complete the whole program?
Answer: The answer here is no. As a certified CCR diver there is a shortened route to becoming an SCR Diver.
Rational: A certified CCR diver has experience diving with a rebreather and so the in-water process to learn and dive an SCR is more simple and straightforward in comparison to a diver with no rebreather experience. In the SCR Diving standards, the final section called “Unit crossovers” outlines the reduced program requirements.
