Rebreather Diving has been around for many years but Semi -Closed Circuit systems have only just recently been introduced to the recreational diving market, with the Draeger Dolphin being the first readily available unit on the market.
What is a Rebreather?
Rebreathers are simple devices that reclaim some or all of your exhaled breath, then scrub out the carbon dioxide produced by your body , and add oxygen to replenish what you have consumed.
Whereas when you dive on standard scuba, every time you take a breath you exhale most of the gas you have just inhaled into the surrounding water.
This is obviously quite wasteful since we only used a small percentage of the oxygen.
Semi Closed Circuit Rebreathers have an excellent and long safety record. They operate on a premixed Nitrox Gas, enough nitrox is added to the system to replace the oxygen used in the body and an equal amount of exhaled gas is exhausted to compensate volume.
What are the Benefits of Using a Rebreather ?
- Extended Bottom Time
- No annoying Bubbles
- Come Face to Face with Timid Marine Life
- Experience the silence
- A new Challenge

As you have seen Rebreather Diving provides many advantages compared to diving with air. Used properly, it is considered as safe as diving with normal compressed air. But it requires specialized training to accommodate for safety considerations not normally assosciated with recreational air diving.
During the PADI Rebreather Specialty Instructor Course you will cover the benefits, associated hazards and diving procedures in the class. Then move onto a skills practice session in the pool before progressing into open water, where you will get a chance to experience the silence and magic of Rebreather Diving.
The Specialty Instructor Course includes the PADI Rebreather Specialty Diver Course and unlimited use of the Rebreather up to a maximum of 20 Dives, which can be conducting during the MSDT course or other specialty courses.