Introduction
This is the entry-level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilize the KISS Sport and KISS Classic Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR). The objectives of the course is to train recreational divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for rebreather diving on the KISS CCR and to develop basic rebreather diving skills appropriate to diving within the normal recreational depth limits of one hundred thirty (130) fsw / forty (40) msw using an air diluent for minimal decompression diving, (defined as no stop greater than 5 minutes at twenty 20 fsw / six msw.)
Qualifications of Graduates
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities utilizing the KISS rebreather to a maximum depth of one hundred thirty (130) fsw / forty (40) msw, utilizing an air diluent (twenty to twenty one (20-21) % Oxygen) with decompression/safety stops at twenty (20) fsw / six (6) msw to a maximum of five 5 minutes duration. The addition of the Decompression Procedures program offers further information and skills for conducting decompression dives and must be held as a pre-requisite to undertaking decompression diving on a rebreather.
Who May Teach
Who may teach this course:
1. An active TDI Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor with a KISS Instructor rating may teach this course.
2. Only an active TDI CCR KISS Instructor who also holds a TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor rating may teach decompression diving using a rebreather.
Student – Instructor Ratio
Academic:
1. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
1. A maximum of four (4) students per active TDI Instructor is allowed.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
1. A maximum of four (4) students per active TDI Instructor is allowed.
2. The ratio should be reduced as required due to environmental or operational constraints.
Special Note; A “certified assistant” is a TDI or equally qualified Divemaster with a KISS user qualification and a minimum of 30 hours logged diving on the KISS.
Student Pre-Requisites
The student must:
1. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18).
2. Verified log of sixty (60) dives.
3. Minimum certification level of Nitrox Diver and Advanced Nitrox Diver (Advanced Nitrox Diver may be combined with the program) or equivalent.
Course Structure and Duration
Confined Water Execution:
1. Minimum of one sixty (60) minutes training in confined water to a maximum of twenty (20) fsw / six (6) msw.
Open Water Execution:
1. Minimum of four hundred twenty (420) minutes in water time to be completed over a minimum of seven (7) dives with a graduated increase in depth each day.
(One hundred eighty (180) minutes/ three (3) dives may be credited for divers with an existing CCR Diver
Qualification and fifty (50) logged hours at the Instructor’s discretion).
Course Structure:
1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
2. The exam may be given orally if not available in a language the student understands.
Duration:
1. Minimum of six (6) hours for academic development and a further two (2) hours for equipment maintenance workshop.
2. The duration of the entire course must not be shorter than 40 hours spread over a minimum of four (4) days.
(For divers with an existing CCR Diver Qualification the duration of the entire course must not be shorter than 24 hours spread over a minimum of three (3) days).
Administrative Requirements
The following is the administrative tasks:
1. Collect the course fees from all the students.
2. Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
3. Communicate the training schedule to the students.
4. Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
5. The Instructor must review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
1. Complete the Student Registration Form and send the Registration Form to TDI HQ.
2. Award card.
Training Material
Required material
22. TDI KISS Closed Circuit Rebreather diver manual.
23. Jetsam Technologies Manufactures’ Manual & Updates.
Optional Material
24. TDI KISS Closed Circuit Rebreather diver PowerPoint Presentation.
Required Equipment
The following equipment is required for each student:
1. A complete KISS rebreather.
2. Depth gauge and automatic bottom timer and / or dive computer.
3. Mask, fins and a suitable line-cutting device.
4. Slate & pencil.
5. Ascent Reel with Lift Bag / Surface Marker Buoy.
A. Appropriate for maximum planned depth.
B. Minimum of twenty five (25) lb / twelve (12) kg lift bag (a dump valve highly recommended).
6. Exposure suit appropriate for the open water environment where training will be conducted.
7. Access to an oxygen analyzer.
8. Appropriate weight.
9. Bailout gas supply (may be the on-board diluent supply or an externally carried redundant air source). Off board
gas required on all dives over 30 fsw/10msw In addition the Instructor will also carry a redundant gas source for the student/s during all open water sessions. This redundant gas source will not be part of the instructors’ rebreather requirement.
10. KISS “Pre Dive Check List”
Required Subject Areas
The TDI Rebreather manual and the manufacturer’s manual are mandatory for use during this course but instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered during the course.
1. History and evolution of Rebreathers.
2. Comparison of Open Circuit, Closed Circuit and Semi Closed Circuit Rebreather systems and the benefits/problems with each.
3. Practical Mechanics of the System.
A. Assembly and disassembly of the KISS rebreather.
B. Layout and design of the unit.
C. Absorbent canister design and maintenance.
D. Breathing loop de-contamination procedures.
E. Automatic Diluent Valve or ADV use
F. Keying KISS Valve to individual’s metabolic rate
G. KISS Valve maintenance
H. DSV (mouthpiece) use, design and limitations
4. Gas Physiology.
A. Oxygen toxicity.
B. Nitrogen absorption.
C. CO2 toxicity.
D. Gas consumption.
5. Electronic Systems Design and Maintenance.
A. O2 metabolizing calculations.
B. Fuel Cells.
C. System electronics functionality and calibration procedures.
D. Battery condition / testing
6. Dive Tables.
A. Equivalent Air Depth operation.
B. Constant PPO2 theory.
C. CNS and awareness of OTU tracking.
7. Dive Computers.
A. Mix adjustable.
B. Constant PO2.
C. O2 integrated.
8. Dive Planning.
A. Operational Planning.
B. Gas requirements including o/c bailout scenarios/ limitations.
C. Oxygen limitations.
D. Nitrogen limitations.
E. Off board Open Circuit bailout
9. Emergency Procedures.
A. Use of B.A.D.D.A.S.S.
B. Three H’s problems.
C. Flooded Loop.
D. Cell failure
E. Battery failure
10. Normoxic Diluent Procedures (only for divers undertaking Normoxic Diluent dives).
A. Helium absorption & elimination.
B. Effects on respiration.
C. Effects as an insulator
D. Effects on Decompression
Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements
The following open water skills must be completed by the student during open-water dives with the following course
limits:
1. All open water dives must be between twenty (20) fsw / six (6) msw to one hundred thirty (130) fsw / forty (40) msw).
2. Dive PO2 not to exceed default set point of 1.3 or a training limit of 1.4 bar. All dives to be completed within CNS% limits with a recommend maximum of 80% of the total PO2 CNS limit.
3. All appropriate safety stops to be conducted with a minimum three (3) minutes at twenty (20) fsw /six (6) msw to be conducted.
Open Water Skills:
4. Pre dive checks.
5. Verify diluent and O2 cylinder contents using O2 analyzer where appropriate.
6. Demonstrate correct pre dive planning procedures including
A. Limits based on system performance.
B. Limits based on oxygen exposures at chosen PPO2 levels.
C. Limits based on nitrogen absorption at planned depth and PO2 set point.
D. Thermal Constraints
7. Emergency procedures.
A. Mouthpiece familiarity drills.
B. Gas shutdowns and loss of gas.
C. Broken hoses.
D. Flooded absorbent canister.
E. CO2 breakthrough.
F. Semi-closed mode.
G. High & Low Oxygen problems
H. Flooding Loop.
I. Electronics and Battery Failure.
8. Use of BC/suit and effective management of loop breathing volume for buoyancy control.
9. Stop at ten to sixteen (10 – 16) fsw / three to five (3-5) msw on descent for leak bubble check.
10. Electronics systems monitoring for PO2 levels (SETPOINT).
11. Use of Delayed Surface Marker Buoys and Reels
12. Proper execution of the dive within all pre-determined dive limits.
J. Demonstration of safety stops at pre-determined depths.
K. Constant Loop Volume Management
13. Post dive clean of unit to avoid contamination and spread of disease.
In order to complete the course and achieve the Basic KISS Rebreather rating the student must:
1. Satisfactorily complete the written examination with a pass mark of greater than eighty (80) %.
2. Complete to the Instructors satisfaction all confined and open water skill development sessions.
3. Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.
4. Course must be completed within 4 weeks from the starting date.
5. Complete a CCR refresher Course if there has been a period of three (3) months diving inactivity following certification as a Basic KISS diver.
Recommended Additional Reading and Support Material
The following articles and books are recommended reading and allow wider understanding.
1. TDI OHP/PC Slide Set.
2. TDI Instructor Work slate.
3. TDI Scenario slate set.
4. Richard Pyle - A Learners Guide to Closed Circuit Rebreather Operations.
5. Kenneth Donald - Oxygen & The Diver.
6. John Lamb – Oxygen Measurement for Divers.
7. Barsky, Thurlow & Ward - The Simple Guide to Rebreather Diving.
8. Bob Cole – Rebreather Diving.
9. Jeffrey Bozanic – Mastering Rebreathers.