KISS Rebreathers Press Release
After months of intensive work, SIDEWINDER 2 has officially received CE approval, confirming its compliance with the most demanding European safety and performance standards.
While certification represents a crucial achievement, it was only the final step in what has been one of the most complex and ambitious projects ever undertaken in rebreather development. From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to create a system that would be radically simple in
form, yet capable of delivering exceptional performance. Achieving this required an unusually sophisticated engineering approach, because the simplest designs are always the hardest to execute.
Unlike conventional CCR development paths, SIDEWINDER 2 did not evolve from existing designs. The project began with laboratory research focused on developing a fundamentally new scrubber concept. Only once this breakthrough was achieved did the team move on to refining each subsequent component, followed by the implementation of manufacturing technologies unseen in rebreather production, including spin and hot plate welding, and six-axis robotic part processing. Some objectives were widely considered unachievable by industry experts — particularly injection molding large, thick-walled polyacetal components to 100-micron precision. Achieving this level of accuracy was only possible by involving a small group of exceptionally committed engineers, both passionate and bold to take on near-unattainable goals.
The result is a fully modular rebreather system that performs identically across multiple configurations, including sidemount, backmount, and chestmount. SIDEWINDER 2 delivers outstanding cold-water performance, CE-rated scrubber endurance of up to 240 minutes at 4°C, high resistance to overbreathing, and increased tolerance to flooding — all within a lightweight, compact, and robust construction. These characteristics are paired with the signature KISS simplicity, ensuring quick and uncomplicated pre-dive assembly, easy maintenance, and in- water operation, without sacrificing exploration-grade capability.
Proof of true innovation lies in intellectual property. SIDEWINDER 2 is protected by four international patents, covering key elements of its design and technology. These patents reflectthe originality and depth of engineering behind the system, and clearly distinguish it from anything previously available on the market.
This ambitious, multi-million-euro project was made possible in large part thanks to financial support from the Norwegian Funds program. Without this backing, achieving the project’s scope and level of innovation would not have been possible.
With CE certification now complete, SIDEWINDER 2 enters its final rollout phase. Units will shortly be delivered to CCR KISS instructors, followed by crossover training to the new platform. First user-level courses are planned for late summer.
We firmly believe that SIDEWINDER 2 will become for CCR diving what XDEEP STEALTH 2.0 became for sidemount diving: a system that sets a completely new standard and establishes itself as the reference point for all others to follow.
About the KISS Rebreathers
KISS rebreathers were first designed and built in British Columbia, Canada, in 1995, with the first units reaching the market in 1999. From the outset, the brand established its reputation around a clear philosophy: Keep It Super Simple. This approach emphasizes reliability, mechanical simplicity, and diver awareness in life-support systems. In 2021, KISS Rebreathers was acquired by the Darkwater Group, joining the group’s portfolio alongside other innovative and highly regarded brands, including XDEEP, SEAL Drysuits, and Ariadna Tech.