Inishowen SubAqua 

Technical Training: Taking the Next Step in Rebreather Diving

Technical diving opens up a whole new world beneath the surface—deeper wrecks and longer bottom times. Several members of our club are already active in this area, qualified to carry out decompression dives using up to 100% oxygen. We have a mix of open-circuit divers and JJ-CCR rebreather enthusiasts, making for a diverse and experienced group.

My Journey with the JJ Rebreather

I’m relatively new to the JJ, but this season I hit a milestone: my first fifty hours of diving on the unit. It’s been a fantastic learning curve, and as a follow-up, I wanted to take things further with the JJ-CCR Module 2 course. This step allows divers to extend their depth range from 40 metres to 60 metres by introducing additional kit and trimix into the breathing loop—a big leap in capability.

What Module 2 Covers

The JJ-CCR Module 2 course is designed to prepare divers for deeper, more complex dives. Key topics include:

• Advanced Dive Planning – Managing extended bottom times and decompression schedules.
• Trimix Theory – Understanding helium-based mixes for deeper dives.
• Additional Equipment Setup – Configuring bailout cylinders and stage bottles.
• Gas Management Strategies – Calculating and monitoring multiple gas sources.
• Emergency Procedures – Handling failures and executing safe bailouts.
• Decompression Techniques – Using oxygen-rich gases for accelerated decompression.
• Mindset & Team Skills – Adapting to the demands of technical environments.

Training in Gozo

To complete the course, I travelled to Gozo for a five-day program with Matt Jevon and South West Technical Diving. It was my first time in Malta and Gozo, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The logistics were simple—a direct flight from Belfast International—and October delivered perfect conditions: sunny skies and temperatures in the low 20s. Ideal for focused training.

The course itself was intense but rewarding. Deeper diving requires additional stages, precise planning, and a shift in mindset. Five days was enough to cover the fundamentals, but now the real work begins—practice and refinement in Irish waters.

Looking Ahead: Irish Waters & the Laurentic Wreck

We’re fortunate to have the Laurentic wreck within striking distance of our Inishowen Sub Aqua Clubhouse —a fantastic 37-metre dive site that’s perfect for honing these new skills. The club plans to make the most of this in the upcoming 2026 season, with plenty of dives to put training into practice.