The Rebreather Training Council (RTC), which represents training agencies providing courses for divers using rebreathers, has just published its first training standard, which indicates the minimum requirements for a level of training.
The RTC was formed to allow leading training agencies offering rebreather training to work together and exchange information.
This first standard is called "RTC Rebreather Diver Level 1," and it delineates a stage in a diver’s development where he or she is trained to dive with a rebreather to a maximum depth of 30m (100ft) with no planned stage decompression stops, and without supervision by an instructor or divemaster.
This standard will make it easier to compare certifications from different agencies, and is intended to be followed by others later.1
Each member body of the RTC can specify that a course in its own system equates to this standard; in which case, the member is confirming that its course at least meets the minimum requirements of this level. PADI has confirmed that the PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver course meets or exceeds all the requirements of the RTC Rebreather Diver Level 1 standard.
