Advanced Wreck Diving and Need for Training and Equipment

For many years people have enjoyed the beauty in wrecks, some enjoy the glimpse into history, for others it is the research of the wreck and the part it played in the maritime industry and still others just like the marine life that this man-made structure attracts. Wrecks are in nearly every body of water, fresh and salt, and they vary in size from small pleasure crafts all the way up to aircraft carriers. In some locations, wrecks are the attraction, such as: Chuuk Lagoon, the eastern seaboard of the United States, the English Channel, the Great Lakes and the list goes on. For some divers, staying on the outside of the wreck is all they want to do, but others…they want to see what’s on the inside.

While the outside of the wrecks present some dangers- cuts from sharp steel, being pulled into the wreck through an opening (typically only when there are large waves or groundswells), possible entanglement from lines on the wreck for fishing gear – going inside requires very specialized training. To gain access to most wrecks, divers have to take a boat, which means divers are pretty familiar with boats and their layout,while they are floating in their upright position. Problems is, most wrecks don’t land like this. Wrecks can land on their sides, upside down, even vertically or ripped in half by wave action or during the sinking process. All of these different positions present unique challenges to the diver and an experienced TDI instructor will help you gain the knowledge needed to navigate these challenges.

A TDI Advanced Wreck course builds on the knowledge and skills gained during a basic wreck course. It takes the information learned, such as wreck charting (noting different depths on the wreck, entries, exits, orientation, etc), laying line, and air management and extends them to going inside the wreck. Unlike being outside the wreck, there is no direct path to the surface and in most wrecks there is no or limited ambient light. These two factors alone need to be seriously considered. Your TDI instructor will also teach you the research skills you need so you have a better understanding of the wreck, its design and how long it has been resting on the bottom.

Entering into a wreck, or any overhead environment, requires more and specialized equipment. Advanced wreck divers should carry at a minimum two lights, a primary and a back-up, two cutting devices, two reels, two lift bags and a redundant air supply. While this may sound like a lot of equipment, a TDI Advanced Wreck Instructor can teach divers where to stow this equipment and still keep very streamlined in the water. Having the equipment properly attached in the right locations is beneficial in reducing the possibility of entanglement and having the equipment in the right place in the event of an emergency.

There are few diving activities more rewarding than wreck diving, especially if you have an interest in history. Having the knowledge of wrecks is also very beneficial for those that are interested in spear fishing or photographers. You never know where that fish might end up or where the best angle is for the cover photo shot. Like any technical dive, the diver must be engaged in what is going on around them and make well thought out decisions. Proper training is essential, but being vigilant does not end after certification.

Get Certified for Advanced Wreck Diving

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