The Global Underwater Explorers Board of Directors has approved Halcyon’s Symbios Rebreather for incorporation into GUE’s training curriculum, GUE announced this week.
Since incorporating closed-circuit rebreather classes into the agency, the industry has evolved considerably, with CCR diving becoming far more mature than it was previously. Meanwhile, exploration projects are occurring in progressively more remote locations, more often including small passages, dry caves and vertical ascents/descents.
The modularity of the Symbios Rebreather, which is useful across a wide range of divers and project needs, is one of the attributes GUE said it finds attractive for its community. The chest-mounted position allows the addition of a rebreather to any type of back, side or no-mount configuration. The absence of a rack and flexible configuration simplifies travel and diving with remote logistics.
This setup preserves the relevant GUE equipment configuration with no meaningful changes, which simplifies learning, adaptation and logistics. Meanwhile, several patented technologies offer a highly capable system that remains compact, light and easy to use.
Senior GUE instructors and board of directors members have been testing the Symbios rigorously since 2023. This testing has explored the ways the rebreather fits with GUE’s projects, training and underlying ethos, according to GUE:
“We approached this testing in the same way we approached our relationship with the JJ-CCR: an objective and holistic assessment of the system’s capability, collaboration with the manufacturer, identification of the manufacturer’s ability to accommodate GUE principles, and evaluation of the system’s capabilities to support GUE training and other initiatives. Countless test dives and detailed debriefings have proven that the Symbios design and functionality, combined with the long-standing relationship between GUE and Halcyon, make the incorporation of the Symbios a natural fit for GUE.”
GUE said it is now developing online and related training materials in support of its CCR programs:
“Interested GUE instructors are encouraged to register their interest so that Symbios Trainers may support appropriate coordination. GUE intends to allow the Symbios Rebreather at all levels of its training progression, but will focus first upon the CCR Fundamentals program. Incorporation of the Symbios as an approved platform for CCR-F will allow training by new rebreather divers and those wishing to include the Symbios as an additional rebreather. GUE’s Program Directors will refine the progression path for divers looking to extend the Symbios into more advanced diving activities.
“Properly credentialed Symbios instructors may begin advertising forthcoming Symbios courses with the understanding that GUE cannot guarantee unit supply or availability.”
