I recently started my journey into the high-tech world of rebreathers. I decided to get my closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) training, and let me tell you, it was the single biggest physical, mental, and emotional challenge I’ve ever faced. I thought regular scuba theory was tough, but CCR theory makes it look like a warm-up lap. The theory is intense because you need to understand and manage three major dangers: hyperoxia (too much oxygen), hypoxia (too little oxygen), and hypercapnia (too much carbon dioxide). These aren’t minor issues; they can be lethal. The training makes sure you can recognize and safely handle these risks underwater. My training was with Antoine Martin at Bali Dive Trek in Amed. He’s a highly experienced technical diver. The training team was full of experienced divers with deep credentials, and I felt like a rookie. The days were long, often 12 hours or more, filled with lectures, drills, and dives. On the third day, both I and the other student were completely exhausted and wondering if we had made a mistake. The first practical skill is assembling and testing the unit. Missing a single step could put you in real danger. At first, it felt incredibly complex with all the hoses, valves, and sensors. But with repetition and using a checklist, it became second nature. By the end, I could assemble the unit in a fraction of the time it took on day one. After that, we moved on to managing emergencies underwater, such as oxygen spikes and scrubber failures. The training was relentless, and there was no room for shortcuts. Around day six, something shifted. Muscle memory took over, and chaos turned into confidence. By the final day, the rebreather no longer felt like a mysterious contraption; it felt like a reliable tool I could trust. I was smiling because I knew the door was now open to some incredible underwater adventures.
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