Interest in closed-cycle rebreathers (CCR) in diving is completely understandable, as they open up new possibilities for exploring the underwater world, offering both more efficient gas consumption and a quieter and longer diving experience. In Latvia, if you are looking for in-depth knowledge and practical training in this specialized field of diving, the underwater diving club “Diving Club“ and so experienced instructors is an excellent resource.
“Diving" is known for its high professional level and contribution to the development of the Latvian diving community, especially in technical and specialized diving training. The club's instructors have not only theoretical knowledge, but also extensive practical experience in working with for various CCR rebreathers models, try or certified eCCR CE Rebreather with an instructor (Introduction to rebreather diving).
If you are seriously considering diving into the world of CCR diving, consulting with the instructors at “Daivings.lv” would be a logical and valuable next step. They will be able to share their experience, help you understand the nuances of different rebreather models, and provide recommendations based on real-world experience and Latvian diving conditions. In addition, “Diving Club"offers the training courses necessary to safely and effectively use CCR rebreathers, providing you with not only a certificate but also the true understanding and skills required in this exciting, yet responsible, diving discipline."
Factors of the safest CCR rebreathers, and what parameters determine it
- Reliable and robust: Less prone to malfunctions.
- Tested designs: Designs that have been tested and perfected over time.
- Good training infrastructure: Widely available and standardized training courses.
- Relatively user-friendly: Compared to some very complex systems, easier to manage and understand.
- Community support: Strong user communities for knowledge sharing and problem solving.
Overview of the most popular and “safest” CCR rebreathers in the last 5 years
1. Divesoft Liberty:
- Popularity (last 5 years): Very tall and growing rapidly. You could say it's a "breakthrough" in terms of popularity over the last 5 years. Often mentioned, widely discussed and seen at dive sites all over the world.
- Security perception (last 5 years): Excellent. Known for its simple operation, robust design, redundant electronics and user-friendly interface. Marketed and perceived as a very safe and reliable CCR. Training infrastructure is rapidly expanding and is highly regarded.
- Why is it on the top right now: A strong focus on user-friendliness and reliability has borne fruit. The newer design uses modern technologies. The rapid increase in popularity is a clear trend.
2. JJ-CCR:
- Popularity (last 5 years): Very high, especially in technical diving. Maintained its strong position. Less of a “growth story” than Liberty, but consistently popular in the technical diving community.
- Security perception (last 5 years): Excellent. An enduring reputation for extreme robustness and reliability in tough conditions. Still considered the “workhorse” CCR.
- Why still on top: An unwavering reputation for durability and reliability. It remains a favorite among technical and cave divers who prioritize robustness.
3. AP Diving Inspiration/Evolution/Vision (XPD etc.):
- Popularity (last 5 years): A high, still dominant brand. Still a very well-known and widely used brand. Although perhaps not as fast growth pace as Liberty, its sheer size and established presence still keep it at the top.
- Security perception (last 5 years): Very good. Long-standing experience, proven design and extensive training infrastructure. Still considered a reliable and capable CCR.
- Why still on top: Brand recognition, long history, large user base, extensive training network. Benefit from continuous model development.
4. Poseidon MkVI/SE7EN:
- Popularity (last 5 years): Good, niche “recreational CCR”. Maintains its position in the recreational CCR segment. Perhaps less discussed in purely technical circles compared to the others listed above, but still a significant brand.
- Security perception (last 5 years): Good, for its intended use. Designed for ease of use in recreational CCR diving. Easier operation can be considered a safety benefit for divers new to CCR.
- Why ranked here: Strong in the recreational CCR niche. User-friendly features and focus on simpler operation.
5. rEvo Rebreathers:
- Popularity (last 5 years): Good, focuses on technical diving and instructors. Still respected, especially among technical divers and instructors. Perhaps less general “media” popularity compared to Liberty or AP, but still a strong brand in certain niches.
- Security perception (last 5 years): Excellent and innovative. Still considered well-engineered with innovative features. The radial scrubber and dual scrubber designs are still highly regarded.
- Why ranked here: A strong reputation for innovation and technical capability. It is beloved by instructors and experienced technical divers who appreciate its performance characteristics.
Other notable names (Still relevant, but perhaps not as "top" in terms of overall popularity):
- Hollis Prism 2: Still a hot “entry-level” or more budget-friendly option discussed by those starting with CCR.
- Kiss Rebreathers (Classic, Spirit, Orca): Some still favor them for their simplicity and mechanical nature, although perhaps less so in the mainstream discussion of the popularity of eCCRs compared to electronically controlled units.
- Megalodon CCR: Still respected in technical circles, but perhaps less frequently discussed in wider online forums compared to the top candidates.
- SF2 eCCR: Growing in popularity in the side mount/cave diving niches, more often mentioned in these specific contexts.
Key insights and trends on CCR over the last 5 years
- The rise of Divesoft Liberty is a significant story: Its focus on user-friendliness and reliability has made it incredibly popular and well-rated, especially in recent years.
- JJ-CCR and AP Diving are still dominant: JJ-CCR remains the top brand in technical diving and AP Diving's overall market presence.
- Poseidon and rEvo maintain stable positions: Poseidon Recreational CCR and rEvo remain important and respected brands in the technical niches.
- Training always is the most important: This cannot be overemphasized. For rebreather selection always should begin with thorough, model-specific training.
Summary of CCR over the last 5 years
In the last 5 years, based on “mentions” and perceptions of popularity and safety, Divesoft Liberty, JJ-CCR, AP Diving Inspiration/Evolution/Vision, Poseidon MkVI/SE7EN and rEvo rebreathers still consistently at the top. Divesoft Liberty's growth and strong positive perception is a significant trend of this period. However, remember that “safest” is always relative and depends on training, maintenance, and responsible diving practices.
What is the certified user count for the mentioned CCR users?
To try to create a theoretical estimate, we could speculatively proceed as follows:
- General estimates of the size of the CCR diver community: There is no exact data, but it can be assumed that there are tens of thousands active CCR divers. This is a very rough estimate based on industry observations and opinions. It could be speculated that the total number of active CCR divers could be in the range of 20,000 to 50,000 worldwide, possibly even more, but exact data is not available.
- Proportionately distribute users by brand: Based on the popularity and “mentions” mentioned in previous answers, we could try to divide this total number by brand in proportions. This would be very subjective and approximate. For example, we could assume that:
- AP Diving (Inspiration/Evolution/Vision/XPD): Could theoretically be 30-40% from the total market because they have been on the market for a very long time and are widely distributed.
- Divesoft Liberty: Rapidly growing popularity, could be 20-30% and with a tendency to increase.
- JJ-CCR: Strong in the technical segment, could be 15-25% from the common market.
- Poseidon (MkVI/SE7EN): Could be 10-15%, focusing on the recreation segment.
- revo: Technical niche, could be 5-10%.
- Other brands (Hollis, Kiss, Megalodon, SF2, etc.) would split the remaining 5-10%.
- Calculate theoretical numbers: Using these percentage estimates and assuming the total number of active CCR divers to be, for example, 30,000, we could obtain the following very roughly theoretical numbers of unique certified users:
- AP Diving: 9 000 – 12 000
- Divesoft Liberty: 6 000 – 9 000
- JJ-CCR: 4 500 – 7 500
- Poseidon: 3 000 – 4 500
- revo: 1 500 – 3 000
- Other brands: 1,500 – 3,000
It is important to emphasize:
- These numbers are extremely theoretical and approximate. They are based on assumptions and subjective proportions, not real data.
- These are “unique certified users” for each brand, but there is still potential for overlap. The same diver may be counted in multiple brand categories if he holds certificates for multiple CCRs.
- These figures refer to assets certified users, not just sold rebreathers. The number of units sold could be higher because some may purchase a rebreather but not dive with it regularly.
- The market is dynamic. Popularity ratios and the total number of divers may change over time.
Conclusion:
It is not possible to determine the exact number of unique certified CCR users. However, based on estimates and assuming that there are tens of thousands of active CCR divers worldwide, it could be speculated that the largest brands could theoretically reach several thousand to ten thousand unique certified users each.
However, the numbers should be taken with great caution and as very rough theoretical estimates, not real data. The main conclusion is that CCR diving is a niche activity, but still with a significant and growing community worldwide, and the brands mentioned above are the main players in this market.
Always do your research, seek expert advice, and prioritize proper training when considering a CCR rebreather. This list reflects trends and community perception, but your individual needs and circumstances should guide your final decision.
