The wait is over. The diving world, especially technical divers and cave explorers, has long been looking for a successor to the legendary KISS Sidewinder. On display Boot Düsseldorf 2026 the long-awaited news was announced – KISS Xdeep Sidewinder 2 has officially received CE certification. This is not just a visual upgrade; it is a complete system overhaul that combines the proven mechanical simplicity of KISS with the engineering precision and modularity of Xdeep.
mCCR operating principle and gas supply
The Sidewinder 2 retains its roots as mCCR (mechanically controlled closed-loop rebreather). The heart of the system is simplicity and reliability:
- Continuous oxygen supply: The first stage with an intermediate pressure of 10 bar through a special nozzle (orifice) ensures a constant oxygen flow of approximately 0.7 liters per minute [00:09].
- MAV (Manual Addition Valve): If the diver's metabolism exceeds the flow provided by the nozzle or if it is necessary to manually adjust the PO2, the MAV unit is used. It has two buttons: one for manual oxygen supply and the other for diluent (diluent gas) supply [00:45].
- ADV (Automatic Diluent Valve): The system is equipped with an adjustable ADV, which is essentially a modified second stage. The diver can adjust its sensitivity (make it “harder” or “softer”) to prevent unwanted gas delivery during inhalation [00:57].
Innovative canister design and insulation
One of the biggest engineering leaps is the design of the absorbent canister itself.
- Thermal insulation: Unlike standard rebreathers, Sidewinder 2 canisters have double walls that provide air insulation on all four sides [01:47]. This is critical in cold water (e.g. the Baltic Sea) to maintain the efficiency of the chemical reaction in the absorbent layer.
- Pressure equalization: To prevent deformation or damage to the canister, the air space between the partitions is equalized through a special opening at the bottom of the canister [01:58].
- Gas flow dynamics: The gas flows into the canister, passes through the absorbent material, and exits through the bottom, ensuring maximum CO2 filtration efficiency [01:36].
Electronics and monitoring
Although the gas supply is mechanical, its monitoring is entrusted to the industry standard:
- Shearwater Petrel 3: The system is supplied with a Shearwater Petrel 3 controller, which is connected via a standard 4-pin cable [00:22]. It provides the diver with real-time PO2 data from three oxygen sensors.
- Modularity: Thanks to the Xdeep design, the wires and hoses can be easily configured depending on whether the diver is using Sidemount, Backmount or even Chestmount configuration.
Usability and maintenance
The system is designed to be easy to prepare for diving even in harsh conditions:
- Filling the absorbent: The process of filling the canister is intuitive – the breathing path is blocked to prevent dust from entering, the material is filled, compacted (tap-tap method) and closed with the head [01:10].
- Durability: Xdeep uses 100 micron precision in its manufacturing process, which means that every part fits perfectly, minimizing the risk of leaks.
Conclusion
KISS Xdeep Sidewinder 2 is not just another rebreather – it is a tool that combines the best of both worlds: KISS’s legendary “keep it simple” philosophy and Xdeep’s modern engineering. With the CE certification, this device becomes available to a wider range of divers in Europe, offering an unprecedented level of safety and modularity. Whether you are planning long expeditions in caves or relaxing technical dives on wrecks, the Sidewinder 2 is ready to become your most reliable partner underwater.
More information and registration for courses will be available soon in the daivings.lv section "Technical Diving".
