Latest Posts

Archive

Blog

  • B24 Liberator, Malta – Technical & CCR Dive Guide

    Overview of the Dive Site

    The B24 Liberator is a WWII American four-engine heavy bomber lying upright on a sandy seabed at around 55–56 metres, roughly 1.5 km south-west of Marsaxlokk on Malta’s south-east coast. Dive Systems Malta

    The wreck was discovered in 2015 during a side-scan sonar survey and later opened to divers as part of Malta’s managed deep-wreck heritage programme. The Virtual Museum It is a war grave, with one crew member remaining unaccounted for; nine others survived the crash and were rescued at the time. The Virtual Museum

    For technical and CCR divers, the B24 offers a rare chance to explore a large, mostly intact bomber on a relatively accessible deep profile – serious, but achievable for well-trained 50–60 m divers.

    Key Facts at a Glance

    • Type: WWII American Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber
    • Location: ~1.5 km south-west of Marsaxlokk, off Malta’s south-east coast Dive Systems Malta
    • Depth: ~55 m (avg), ~56 m max; some sources mention local 60 m pockets divinginfo.mt
    • Seabed: Flat sand
    • Orientation: Upright; wing structure largely intact maltadives.com
    • Size: Approx. 20 m long, 33 m wingspan maltadives.com
    • Access: Boat dive only
    • Certification: Technical deep air/trimix or CCR (normoxic/advanced)
    • Status: Managed war grave, open only via registered dive centres and clubs under Heritage Malta MaltaToday.com.mt

    Location & Access

    The B24 Liberator rests on a gently sloping sandy seabed south-west of Marsaxlokk, offshore from Malta’s southern coastline near Bengħajsa Point. MaltaToday.com.mt

    • Boat only: Access is via boat, typically from Marsaxlokk, Marsaskala or central harbours depending on operator and conditions.
    • Shot line: A shot or permanent mooring line is used for descent and ascent – you drop in blue water until the wreck appears below.
    • Permits: The site is part of Malta’s underwater cultural heritage; diving is restricted to Heritage Malta–registered dive centres and clubs. divinginfo.mt

    Depth Range & Profile

    • Seabed / wreck: 55–56 m for most of the site, with small variations where wreckage sits slightly higher or lower. maltadives.com
    • Relief: Engines, fuselage sides and tail debris add a few metres of vertical relief but you’re essentially on a flat, single-level wreck.

    This makes the B24 a classic 50–60 m technical profile:

    • Short–moderate bottom time at depth
    • Long multi-level decompression on ascent
    • Excellent “next step” wreck for divers progressing from 45–50 m deeper tech dives.

    Recommended Certification Level

    B24 Liberator isn’t extreme like the 100 m+ wrecks, but it’s still a serious technical dive with full decompression and cold-ish bottom temps.

    Recommended minimums:

    • Open circuit:
      • PADI Tec50 / Tec65, normoxic trimix or equivalent
      • Comfortable with staged decompression and multi-gas switches
      • Previous 50–60 m experience on similar dives
    • CCR / Hollis Prism2:
      • Normoxic/advanced trimix CCR certification
      • Solid bailout skills and recent deep CCR dives in the 50–60 m range
      • Confident in task loading (video, photography, guideline management) at depth

    If your last serious deco dive was years ago, treat B24 as something to work up to with a progression of shallower wrecks rather than the first big dip back in.

    Best Season & Typical Conditions

    • Best season: Late spring to early autumn for calmer seas and more stable weather – the area is exposed to swell and wind.
    • Water temperature: Typically 14–16°C at depth in spring, rising to 16–18°C in late summer.
    • Visibility: Often 20–30 m, with clear blue water giving superb views of the aircraft profile; can drop with plankton or strong wind. maltadives.com

    Sea state is the key limiter – if there’s significant wind or chop, shot-line management and long decompression become uncomfortable quickly.

    Why Dive B24 Liberator?

    What Makes This Site Special for Tec / CCR Divers

    • Iconic WWII aircraft: The B-24 was one of the most produced bombers of the war, heavily used by US and Allied forces worldwide. Guide Me Malta
    • Photogenic wreck: The full wing structure, engines and much of the fuselage are still in place, giving the classic “plane on the seabed” look many divers dream about. maltadives.com
    • Manageable depth: At 55–56 m, it’s deep enough to be a proper technical challenge, but still accessible as a normoxic trimix / Tec50–65 / CCR objective. divinginfo.mt
    • Historical weight: The wreck marks the site of a wartime emergency landing and crash; it’s a recognised war grave that’s been carefully documented and cleared of ghost gear. divinginfo.mt

    If you enjoy aircraft wrecks, B24 Liberator is easily one of Malta’s most impressive – and a perfect stepping stone towards deeper plane wrecks like the Skyraider and JU88 South.

    Dive Profile & Route Options

    Typical Open Circuit Profiles

    On open circuit, gas volume and deco commitment dictate a tight, disciplined schedule. Many teams run:

    • Bottom time: ~18–25 minutes at 55–56 m
    • Gases: Normoxic trimix back gas with one or two deco mixes (e.g. 50% and 80% / O₂ depending on plan)

    Common OC route:

    1. Descend the shot to the central wing / fuselage area.
    2. Verify gas, time and team, then:
      • Sweep along one wing, inspecting the engines and remaining propellers. maltadives.com
      • Move around the cockpit area, which is torn open with the nose destroyed. maltadives.com
      • Check the tail section, which lies broken and partly tucked under the fuselage. maltadives.com
    3. Return to the shot, confirm remaining gas and start ascent on schedule – no “just one more photo” at turn pressure.

    Typical CCR / Prism2 Profiles

    On the Hollis Prism2 CCR, B24 Liberator becomes a very comfortable deep-wreck target:

    • Bottom time: Often 25–35 minutes for experienced teams, depending on deco strategy
    • Setpoints: Conservative working pO₂ at depth with smooth transitions and a focus on bailout planning first, runtime second

    A typical CCR route:

    • Descend on a 1.0–1.2 setpoint to the wing root.
    • Make a full circuit of the aircraft: wing–nose–cockpit–tail–other wing.
    • Use remaining bottom time for specific shots (engines, gun mounts, cockpit details).
    • Begin ascent with plenty of bailout reserves, running gas and deco exactly as planned.

    Jason will normally build this dive into a progression of CCR training and coaching dives, not as a first outing at 55 m.

    Entry, Exit & Navigation Notes

    • Entry: Giant stride or controlled entry from the dive boat, straight onto the shot line.
    • Descent: Blue-water drop; you might not see the wreck until ~40 m, so good line discipline and team spacing matter.
    • On the wreck:
      • Orientation is straightforward: long wing, central fuselage, engines, broken nose and tail.
      • It’s compact enough that you can see most of it in one or two circuits, but there’s lots of detail for photographers.
    • Ascent: All decompression is done on the same line, sometimes with a trapeze or deco station at shallower stops depending on operator and plan.

    Conditions & Hazards

    Current, Visibility & Temperature

    • Current: Can be present at mid-water or at depth; holding 6 m stops on a busy line with multiple stages can be tiring.
    • Visibility: Usually good, but plankton or stirred-up sand can reduce it and make the wreck feel darker and moodier.
    • Temperature: Bottom temps in the mid-teens °C – expect a drysuit or a very solid thick wetsuit plus good undergarments.

    Overheads, Entanglement & Other Risks

    • The wreck is broken but open – you can easily get caught up in twisted metal, cabling and piping if you start poking inside.
    • Fishing nets and ghost gear have been actively cleared in recent years, but it’s still wise to assume possible line / net entanglement. Guide Me Malta
    • It is a war grave, and there may still be sensitive material on site; nothing should be moved or taken.

    From a technical point of view, the main risks are:

    • Gas management errors on OC
    • Poorly practised bailout protocols on CCR
    • Task loading with cameras leading to lost situational awareness

    Hollis Prism2 / CCR-Specific Notes

    For Hollis Prism2 divers training or diving with Jason:

    • Expect a strong focus on pre-dive checklists, loop integrity, PO₂ control and bailout readiness.
    • B24 is ideal for:
      • Dialling in mid-range deep-wreck procedures (50–60 m)
      • Refining bailout decision points and gas calculations
      • Working with camera rigs and video on CCR while keeping safety front and centre

    Jason will typically schedule build-up dives on shallower wrecks (e.g. 35–45 m planes and ships, then 50 m range) before a B24 day for new CCR clients.

    Logistics & Surface Interval

    Meeting Point & Boat Logistics

    Most trips to the B24 Liberator run as single-deep-dive projects from Marsaxlokk / Marsaskala or central harbours, depending on the boat partner and conditions. Black and White Diving

    On the day you can expect:

    • Early meet-up, kit check and full briefing on history, hazards and permit conditions
    • One deep dive with a long runtime (bottom + deco)
    • Proper surface oxygen, first-aid kit and emergency plan on the boat

    Facilities Nearby (Parking, Food, Fills)

    • Trimix fills, O₂ and CCR sorb are arranged through Jason’s partner technical centres.
    • Food, accommodation and post-dive debrief spots are easy to organise around Marsaxlokk and the south-east coast.

    Why Dive This Site with Jason Trott & diveprism2.eu

    Small Groups & Safety Focus

    Jason runs small, well-matched teams on wrecks like the B24 – usually experienced tech and CCR divers who value planning and safety as much as good video.

    Expect:

    • Thorough pre-dive planning (gases, bailout, contingencies)
    • Honest, practical briefings about the wreck and the risks
    • Structured debriefs to squeeze as much learning as possible from each dive

    Wreck & Tech Diving Experience

    Jason Trott is a Malta-based PADI Tec instructor and Hollis Prism2 CCR instructor who specialises in wreck-focused technical and CCR training around Malta, including deep aircraft and battleship wrecks such as the B24 Liberator, JU88 South, HMS Russell and HMS Southwold.

    Jason Trott, at diveprism2.eu, offers small-group, wreck-focused trimix and Hollis Prism2 CCR training plus guided technical dives on Malta’s deep heritage wrecks, including the 55 m B24 Liberator bomber off Marsaxlokk.

    FAQs About Diving the B24 Liberator

    How deep is the B24 Liberator wreck?
    The B24 Liberator lies upright on sand at about 55–56 m, roughly 1.5 km south-west of Marsaxlokk. MaltaToday.com.mt

    What level of diver is this for?
    This is a technical dive for experienced 50–60 m divers – typically Tec50 / normoxic trimix or advanced CCR. It’s not suitable for recreational or newly-qualified tech divers without recent deep-deco experience. divinginfo.mt

    Can I dive it on open circuit and CCR?
    Yes. Both OC and CCR teams dive the B24. OC dives will have shorter bottom times and higher gas logistics; CCR (e.g. Hollis Prism2) allows more time on the wreck but requires serious bailout planning. maltadives.com

    Is a permit required?
    Yes. The B24 Liberator is a war grave and managed heritage site. Diving is arranged through Heritage Malta–registered dive centres and clubs, which handle permits and reporting. MaltaToday.com.mt

    What are the main risks?
    Depth, decompression, potential current, entanglement in wreckage, and – on CCR – any failure that might force a full bailout from 55–56 m. Proper training, kit, planning and a competent team are essential.

    How to Book or Plan Your Dive

    Check Dates & Availability

    Because of permits and logistics, B24 Liberator dives are usually run as dedicated tech days, often with limited spaces and specific experience requirements.

    Contact Jason for a Training or Dive Plan

    If you’d like to:

    • Add the B24 Liberator to a week of technical wreck diving in Malta, or
    • Build a training pathway (OC or Hollis Prism2) that logically leads up to this dive

    …get in touch with Jason via diveprism2.eu.

    Send over your current certifications, recent dive history and goals, and Jason can help you plan a safe, progressive route to one of Malta’s most impressive WWII aircraft wrecks.

  • Is Technical Diving for Me? Your Path from AOW to Tec Diver in Malta

    Introduction – The Step Beyond 30 Metres

    If you’re reading this, you’ve probably felt the limits of recreational diving:

    • You’ve hit 30–40 m and wanted more time.
    • You want to explore deeper wrecks.
    • You’re curious about twinsets, deco gases or even rebreathers.
    • You’ve realised that “more depth” isn’t about adrenaline – it’s about more possibilities.

    That’s where technical diving begins.

    What Is Technical Diving? (Clear, No-Nonsense Definition)

    Technical diving is simply planned diving beyond recreational limits, with:

    • Mandatory decompression
    • Multiple cylinders or a rebreather
    • Redundant systems
    • More detailed planning
    • More responsibility

    It’s not about being extreme or “pushing limits”. It’s about gaining the training and equipment to dive longer, deeper and safer on the sites you actually want to explore.

    Signs You’re Ready for Technical Diving

    Most people don’t wake up one morning ready for Tec. But these are the real signs:

    1. You want more time on deeper sites

    You’ve hit 30 m and thought: “This can’t be all there is.”
    Wrecks like the Hellespont, Le Polynesien, HMS Stubborn and deeper reefs demand technical profiles.

    2. You enjoy the planning side of diving

    Gas planning, decompression, equipment configuration – you enjoy thinking it through.

    3. You value mastery and precision

    You’re the diver who checks kit twice, stays in trim and wants to improve skills.

    4. You like structured progression

    Tec isn’t a quick fix. It’s a sequence: twinset → Tec40 → Tec45 → Tec50 → trimix → (maybe CCR).
    If that excites you, you’re exactly the right candidate.

    Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting Tec40

    You don’t need to be elite.

    You need:

    • PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent)
    • PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent)
    • 50 logged dives minimum
    • Solid buoyancy, trim and situational awareness

    If you’re not sure about your skill level, Jason can assess this on a single dive or tune-up session.

    Tip: Many divers think they’re not good enough for Tec yet, when in reality they’re already close.

    Your Pathway: From AOW to Tec Diver in Malta

    Malta is uniquely suited for a clean, structured progression. You can do each step on local sites perfectly matched to the level.

    Step 1 – Twinset / Intro to Tec

    Learn:

    • Twinset setup
    • Shutdowns
    • Trim & buoyancy
    • Basic gas management

    This is the foundation of everything.

    Step 2 – PADI Tec40 (first real technical level)

    Depth: 40 m
    Gas: Single deco gas (up to 50%)
    Skills:

    • Decompression stops
    • Gas switches
    • Longer dive planning

    This is the level where it “clicks” – you become a technical diver.

    PADI Tec40 course in Malta

    Step 3 – PADI Tec45 (deeper & longer)

    Depth: 45 m
    Gas: One deco gas (up to 100% O₂)
    Skills:

    • Longer decompression
    • Failures & rescue on technical profiles
    • More complex planning
    • More bailout responsibility

    By the end of Tec45, you’re a capable, self-sufficient technical diver.


    PADI Tec45 and Tec50 programmes in Malta

    Step 4 – Optional: Tec50 / Trimix / Prism 2 CCR

    Depending on your goals:

    • Stay on open circuit and go deeper with trimix
    • OR go rebreather early (many do)

    If you have long-term goals like 60–100 m wreck dives, CCR is the smart choice.

    Hollis Prism 2 CCR training in Malta

    Why Malta Is the Ideal Place to Become a Technical Diver

    Malta is a unique training environment because it offers progression in one place:

    1. Perfect depth ranges

    • 5–20 m (skills training)
    • 30–40 m (Tec40-level wrecks)
    • 45–60 m (Tec45/Tec50 wrecks)
    • 70–100+ m (trimix & CCR projects)

    No flights, no big logistics jumps – you can grow step by step.

    2. Controlled shore entries for training days

    You can do shutdowns, gas switches and deco drills without worrying about boat cost or offshore conditions.

    3. Real wrecks at real depths

    No swimming over sand – actual historical wrecks with structure and purpose.

    4. Predictable conditions

    Much more reliable than the UK or northern Europe, especially for sequential training days.

    5. One instructor through your whole journey

    Instead of switching schools every course, you can build consistency, trust and realistic development with Jason.

    What Technical Diving Is Not

    Let’s address the myths:

    • ❌ It is not about being reckless
    • ❌ It is not about depth for bragging rights
    • ❌ It is not for people who rush training
    • ❌ It does not require you to be super fit or superhuman

    Good technical divers are calm, conservative, and methodical.

    If that sounds like you, you’ll do well.

    What Technical Diving Is

    • ✔ Safer and more controlled than recreational deep diving
    • ✔ A path to real wreck exploration
    • ✔ A skillset that lasts your whole diving life
    • ✔ A progression you can take at your own pace
    • ✔ A gateway to rebreathers, trimix and expedition-style diving

    Costs and Time: A Realistic Overview

    Costs vary by equipment and gas, but here’s the simple version:

    • Twinset setup: €600–€1200 depending on what you buy
    • Tec40: 3–4 days
    • Tec45: 3–4 days
    • Complete path (twinset → Tec45): 2–4 weeks depending on schedule
    • CCR later: The Hollis Prism2 is the logical next step

    Why Train With Jason in Malta?

    If you choose a Tec instructor, you’re choosing:

    • Their experience
    • Their biases
    • Their safety margins
    • Their approach to problem-solving
    • Their attitude toward discipline and bailout

    Jason brings:

    • 500+ hours on the Hollis Prism2
    • PADI Tec CCR 100 achieved at 27
    • Thousands of dives from UK quarries to 100 m+
    • A methodical, calm teaching style
    • Focused progression towards wreck diving
    • Small groups only (1–2 students max)

    You’re not buying a course.
    You’re buying a pathway.

    Ready to Start Your Tec Journey in Malta?

    Whether you’re:

    • An AOW diver wondering if Tec is for you
    • A Rescue diver ready for the next step
    • A future CCR diver exploring options
    • Or someone dreaming of deep wrecks

    …your technical journey can start right here in Malta.

  • Open Circuit vs Closed Circuit Tech Diving | Hollis Prism 2

    Open Circuit Technical vs Closed Circuit Technical – And Why I Teach on the Hollis Prism 2

    Technical diving has never been more accessible. Deeper wrecks, longer bottom times, and safer gas planning are now part of many divers’ progression—from Advanced Open Water and Rescue, into Tec, and eventually into rebreathers.

    But at some point, every aspiring tec diver hits the same question:

    Should I stay on open-circuit technical, or move to closed-circuit (CCR)?

    In this guide, I’ll break down the practical differences between open-circuit (OC) technical diving and closed-circuit (CCR) technical diving, and explain why I choose to teach on the Hollis Prism 2 here in Malta.

    Quick definitions: what do we mean by OC and CCR?

    Open-circuit (OC) is what most divers learn on first:

    • You breathe gas from a cylinder.
    • Exhaled gas goes straight into the water as bubbles.
    • Gas mix is fixed (e.g. air, nitrox 32, trimix 21/35), so your gas and decompression plan is built around a fixed mix.

    Closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR) recycle your breathing gas:

    • You breathe into a loop; CO₂ is removed by a scrubber.
    • Oxygen is added automatically or manually to maintain a set partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂).
    • You exhale back into the loop—very few bubbles, very efficient gas use.

    The Hollis Prism 2 is a back-mounted, fully-featured eCCR designed specifically for technical and expedition diving. It’s widely used for wreck, cave, and deep trimix diving because of its robustness, redundancy, and stable work-of-breathing at depth.

    Why most divers start with open-circuit technical

    Almost every technical diver begins on open circuit for good reasons:

    1. Familiar kit, clear progression

    If you already dive twinsets or sidemount, PADI Tec 40/45/50 and Tec Trimix build straight on that foundation. You’re:

    • Using regulators, wings, and cylinders you more or less recognise.
    • Learning solid gas planning, decompression theory, and problem solving without adding a complex machine on day one.

    For many divers, this is the most sensible progression:

    1. Master buoyancy, trim, and situational awareness on recreational kit.
    2. Learn staged decompression and mixed gas on open circuit.
    3. Then decide if CCR is right for your long-term goals.

    2. Simpler mental model when things go wrong

    On open circuit, the options are very clear:

    • Out of gas? Share gas and ascend.
    • Free-flowing regulator? Shut down and switch.
    • Lost gas? Switch to backup gas and adjust the plan.

    The complexity is in planning and logistics, not in the life-support system itself. For a lot of divers, this makes OC a great environment to build confidence and discipline before they move to rebreathers.

    Where open-circuit technical starts to hurt

    Open circuit can absolutely take you deep and far—but it has trade-offs.

    1. Gas cost and logistics

    Deep trimix on open circuit is expensive and heavy work. For deeper dives you may be:

    • Filling large volumes of helium-based trimix.
    • Carrying two back-mounted cylinders plus multiple deco stages.
    • Doing short bottom times because gas is the limiting factor, not your decompression tolerance.

    On a place like Malta’s deeper wrecks, a single OC trimix dive can mean:

    • High gas bills
    • Multiple deco bottles
    • Limited repetition during a week-long trip

    2. Limited bottom time

    Because your breathing rate is constant and gas is vented into the water, every minute at depth has a real cost in gas. Even with big twinsets and multiple stages, you’re often working within tight limits.

    If your ideal dives involve:

    • Long exploration passes on wrecks
    • Multiple deep dives in a week
    • Filming or photography where time and stability matter

    …then open circuit starts to feel restrictive.

    Why technical divers are moving to CCR

    Closed circuit rebreathers like the Hollis Prism 2 were designed to solve exactly those problems.

    1. Massive increase in gas efficiency

    On CCR, you’re only adding oxygen to replace what your body metabolises. Helium and diluent are barely used. The result:

    • Much lower gas consumption, especially on deep and long dives.
    • Trimix dives that would be prohibitively expensive on OC become realistic.
    • Less weight and fewer cylinders to carry to the site.

    Over a season of deep diving, the gas savings alone can offset a lot of the cost of CCR training and equipment.

    2. Stable PO₂, optimised decompression

    Because the unit maintains a constant setpoint, you’re diving with an optimised PO₂ profile throughout the dive:

    • More efficient decompression for the same exposure.
    • Flexibility to adjust PO₂ for work rate, depth, and deco strategy.
    • The ability to extend bottom time without a proportionate penalty.

    On wrecks around Malta in the 50–80 m range, this often means:

    • Longer time on the wreck at a safer PO₂.
    • More flexibility to explore, shoot video, or run multiple passes.

    3. Warmer, quieter, more immersive

    Many divers underestimate how much this matters:

    • Warm, moist breathing gas vs cold, dry open-circuit gas.
    • Minimal bubbles, which is huge for photography, marine life, and wreck ambience.
    • Less noise and mask flushing, more time focusing on the dive itself.

    Once you get used to that experience on a Prism 2, open circuit often feels like a step backwards for certain types of dives.

    Why the Hollis Prism 2 specifically?

    There are several CCRs on the market. I teach on the Hollis Prism 2 because it’s:

    Built for serious technical and wreck diving

    The Prism 2 is designed as a full technical platform, not a recreational toy:

    • Back-mounted counterlungs keep the chest clear for stages and scooters.
    • Solid work-of-breathing performance in the depths and positions we use on wrecks.
    • A configuration that integrates well with deco/stage bottles, DPVs, and long penetrations.

    Proven, supported, and standardised

    The Prism 2 has:

    • A long track record in cave, wreck, and expedition environments.
    • Good manufacturer support and a global user base.
    • A clear training pathway from entry-level CCR to trimix and advanced levels.

    For students, that means:

    • You’re not on an obscure or orphaned unit.
    • There’s a clear progression from first CCR dives to serious technical projects.

    Excellent platform for Malta’s wreck diving

    Malta offers high-visibility, easily accessible wrecks in the 40–100 m range. The Prism 2 fits that environment perfectly:

    • Efficient gas use makes multiple deep wreck dives in a week affordable.
    • Minimal bubbles respect the wreck environment and marine life.
    • Configuration is ideal for wreck penetration techniques you’ll learn as you progress.

    So should you stay on open circuit or move to CCR?

    Here’s a simple way to think about it.

    Open-circuit technical may be better if:

    • You’re just starting out with technical concepts: gas planning, redundancy, decompression.
    • You want to build experience step-by-step without adding a complex machine yet.
    • Your typical dives are:
      • 40–50 m range
      • Limited decompression
      • Shorter, high-focus training dives

    In that case, a PADI Tec 40/45/50 or Tec Trimix course on open circuit is an excellent foundation before CCR.

    Closed-circuit (Hollis Prism 2) becomes compelling if:

    • You know you want to dive deeper, longer, and more often.
    • You’re drawn to wreck exploration, filming, or project diving.
    • Gas cost and logistics are starting to limit what you can realistically do.
    • You’re ready to commit to regular practice, unit maintenance, and ongoing training.

    Then a Hollis Prism 2 CCR course isn’t just a toy—it’s an investment in how you’ll dive for the next decade.

    Training pathway: combining OC Tec and Hollis Prism 2

    A smart progression for many divers looks like this:

    1. Solid recreational base
      • Advanced Open Water (or equivalent)
      • Rescue Diver
      • 50–100 logged dives with good buoyancy and situational awareness.
    2. Open-circuit technical training
      • PADI Tec 40/45/50 to learn:
        • gas planning
        • staged decompression
        • emergency management
      • Optional: Tec Trimix for helium-based deep diving.
    3. Transition to CCR on the Hollis Prism 2
      • Entry-level CCR course focusing on:
        • unit setup and pre-dive checks
        • loop management and buoyancy
        • dealing with CCR-specific failures.
      • Progress to deeper/trimix CCR levels as your experience grows.

    This way, when you climb onto a Hollis Prism 2 in Malta, you’re not also trying to learn basic decompression and team skills from scratch—you can focus on mastering the unit.

    Common myths about CCR (and the reality)

    “CCR is only for extreme depths.”

    Not true. Many divers use the Hollis Prism 2 for 40–60 m wrecks specifically because:

    • It reduces gas costs.
    • It keeps them warmer and more comfortable.
    • It allows longer, more relaxed bottom times.

    “Rebreathers are too dangerous.”

    Any life-support system is dangerous if used poorly. CCR demands:

    • Strict pre-dive checklists.
    • Regular maintenance.
    • A commitment to ongoing training and practice.

    With proper instruction, solid procedures, and conservative planning, CCR can be at least as controlled as open-circuit technical diving—often with more redundant information (multiple PO₂ displays, integrated computers, bailout options).

    “I’ll lose my OC skills.”

    A good training programme keeps you current on both:

    • You’ll still plan bailout and deco as if you might need to go OC at any time.
    • Many CCR divers retain a twinset for skills, backup, or specific dives.

    On my Hollis Prism 2 courses in Malta, we emphasise maintaining core technical skills alongside CCR-specific procedures.

    Why train Hollis Prism 2 CCR in Malta?

    Malta is one of the best classrooms for both open-circuit technical and Hollis Prism 2 CCR:

    • World-class wrecks in the 30–100 m range.
    • Typically clear, warm(ish), blue water with easy boat access.
    • A mix of:
      • training-friendly sites
      • deeper, more advanced wrecks for later in your progression.

    For CCR specifically:

    • You can get multiple quality dives in a week without burning through obscene amounts of trimix.
    • Conditions are consistent enough to focus on your skills and the unit, not just surviving the environment.

    Bringing it together: choosing your next step

    Open-circuit technical and closed-circuit technical are not rivals—they’re stages in the same journey.

    • Open circuit technical gives you the foundation:
      gas planning, redundancy, decompression discipline, team skills.
    • Closed circuit on the Hollis Prism 2 gives you the range:
      longer times, deeper wrecks, and more ambitious projects—especially here in Malta.

    If your long-term goals involve:

    • Regular trips to deep wrecks.
    • Serious time underwater on each dive.
    • Project-style diving, filming, or exploration.

    …then the Hollis Prism 2 is very likely your next logical step.

    Ready to talk about your path?

    Whether you’re:

    • An experienced OC tec diver wondering if CCR is worth it, or
    • A motivated recreational diver looking at the full pathway…

    I can help you map out a training plan that fits your experience, budget, and goals—from PADI Tec courses on open circuit through to Hollis Prism 2 CCR training and guided wreck dives in Malta.

    Get in touch to discuss:

    • Which course or level makes sense for you.
    • How to plan a Malta tec week around your training.
    • Options for guided Hollis Prism 2 CCR wreck dives once you’re certified.