SDI - Wreck Diving Course
Whether purpose-sunk as an artificial reef for scuba divers, or lost as the result of an accident, wrecks are fascinating windows to the past. Ships, airplanes and even cars are fascinating to explore and usually teem with aquatic life. Each wreck dive offers a chance for discovery, potentially unlocking a mystery or spying something others have missed.
The SDI Wreck Diver Specialty course is popular because it offers rewarding adventures while observing responsible wreck diving practices.
Whether purpose-sunk as an artificial reef for scuba divers, or lost as the result of an accident, wrecks are fascinating windows to the past. Ships, airplanes and even cars are fascinating to explore and usually teem with aquatic life. Each wreck dive offers a chance for discovery, potentially unlocking a mystery or spying something others have missed.
The SDI Wreck Diver Specialty course is popular because it offers rewarding adventures while observing responsible wreck diving practices.
Whether purpose-sunk as an artificial reef for scuba divers, or lost as the result of an accident, wrecks are fascinating windows to the past. Ships, airplanes and even cars are fascinating to explore and usually teem with aquatic life. Each wreck dive offers a chance for discovery, potentially unlocking a mystery or spying something others have missed.
The SDI Wreck Diver Specialty course is popular because it offers rewarding adventures while observing responsible wreck diving practices.
Who this course is for:
Individuals who wish to know more about the wreck diving including:
Researching wrecks
Mapping wrecks
Proper use of lines while wreck diving
Exploring underwater history
Course prerequisites:
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
Minimum age 18, 15 for limited penetration course with parental consent
Minimum age 10 with parental consent for a non-penetration course
Junior Open Water Divers may not participate in any penetration activities or dives deeper than 18 metres/60 feet
Divers must have a deep diver specialty certification or be able to provide proof of experience in order to dive deeper than 18 metres/60 feet in this course
What you can expect to learn:
The SDI Wreck Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
Why wreck dive?
Surface supports
Communications, when and if necessary
Back-up procedures
Buddy system
Buddy contact
Contact with varied visibility
Buddy lines
Line signals
Buddy positioning in close proximity
Navigation/charting
Usage of the slate
Larger than normal
Pre-dive marking
Pre-planning the dive using charts, other information
Directional determination
Disorientation
With/without buddy
Lost buddy
Light failure
Emergency procedures
Special equipment
Lights: primary and backup, size, burn time, and usage
Knifes and cutting devices
Limited visibility diving
Silt-out
Psychological considerations
Light usage
Importance of light and backup
Dark vision, don’t shine light in buddy’s eyes
Life lines and reels
Type of line
Tie-offs
Directional markers
Line handling and reeling must be practiced on land prior to performing this skill underwater
Special emergency procedures
Safe Wreck
Hazardous or otherwise unsafe wrecks
Mapping the wreck
Vertical, horizontal, and feature identification
What’s in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course graduates may:
Dive wrecks that are similar to the type of wrecks they were exposed to during training
Plan and execute a wreck dive
Also, the SDI Wreck Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.
SDI Wreck Diver minimum requirements:
Open Water Dive 1
Pre-dive review of dive computers
Plan dive
Test lights
Familiarization with areas
Basic charting outside wreck
Usage of lines outside wreck, optional
Surface and log dive
Open Water Dive 2
Plan dive
Figure surface interval
Descend
Team complete mapping
Usage of lines outside wreck, optional
Surface and log dive
Open Water Dive 3
Plan dive
Descend
Usage of lines inside wreck, optional
Surface and log dive
Open Water Dive 4 (Optional)
Plan dive
Planned dive explained
Dive/explore as determined
Surface and log dive