Whether sunk on purpose as an artificial reef or the result of mishap, wrecks open fascinating windows to the past. Most divers find wrecked ships, airplanes and even automobiles nearly irresistible because they’re intriguing to explore, exciting avenues of discovery, and usually teeming with aquatic life. The PADI Wreck Diver course teaches you the ins and outs of rewarding, responsible wreck diving.
The ‘PADI Wreck Diver Specialty’ is designed to be an introduction to wreck diving, and to help you develop new skills and knowledge necessary for safe wreck diving.
Course Details
- The maximum number of students on each course is 4
- Each course is led by an Instructor, with an additional safety diver and surface support
- You will need to undertake the independent study of the Wreck Diver Manual, bringing the completed knowledge reviews with you
- There are 4 open water training dives, split equally between 2 days
- Cost of the course is £225.00 inclusive
Before Starting The Course
- You must be certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver or above
- You must be aged 15 years or older
- Please read and understand the medical questionnaire
- If you would like to use your own equipment then please check this against the minimum equipment required for this course.
- Preferably Deep and Enriched Air Nitrox Diving certified, although not essential for this course
Course overview
Within this course we are going to look at:
- planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of wreck diving
- the preparation and use of lights, air supplies, special equipment, penetration lines and reels
- limited-visibility diving techniques and emergency procedures
Knowledge Development
Before starting the open water training you’ll need to complete the two knowledge reviews. These are found in the manual, with further information found on the DVD (both items supplied).
Open Water Training
Training Dive One – Depth Range 18 to 30 mtrs
With equipment on, we carry out our pre dive safety check and enter the water.
On this dive we are just going to swim around the outside of the wreck, maintaining good buoyancy, identifying and avoiding potential hazards.
We get chance to look over and familiarise ourselves with the wreck, and also spotting the aquatic life that calls this wreck ‘home’!
We complete the dive by returning to the descent line, and ascending back to the surface.
Training Dive Two – Depth Range 18 to 30 mtrs
With equipment on, we carry out our pre dive safety check and enter the water.
We’re going to swim on the outside of the wreck again, but this time you’re going to map a section of the wreck, determining approximate size and marking points of interest.
You’re also going to survey the wreck for a penetration, and evaluate possible entrances.
We complete the dive by returning to the descent line, and ascending back to the surface.
Training Dive Three – Depth Range 18 to 30 mtrs
With equipment on, we carry out our pre dive safety check and enter the water.
Now that we have done 2 dives on the wreck, we’re going to get ready for the penetration.
On this dive you’re going to learn how to deploy and retrieve a penetration line, but on this dive we’re going to do this on the outside of wreck.
You’ll also demonstrate how to swim along the line, maintaining contact without kicking up the silt, and also holding a dive light.
We complete the dive by returning to the descent line, and ascending back to the surface.
Training Dive Four – Depth Range 20 to 30 mtrs
With equipment on, we carry out our pre dive safety check and enter the water.
This is it! All the training comes together for our wreck penetration. We’ve planned our air supply and penetration limits, so now let’s go.
With a reduced ratio of two students to one instructor, we’re going to enter the wreck, laying the line as we go, and have fun exploring.
We need to keep our eye on the line, using our torches as we go, and when we reach our turnaround point, make our way back along the line to the exit.
We then make our way back to the line, and ascend to the boat.
Congratulations, you’ve now earned your Wreck Diver Specialty.
Course Fee Includes
- Wreck Diver Crew Pack – includes Manual, DVD, Diploma & Chevron
- Certification costs
- All equipment*, air fills and entry/boat fees
- Possibility of transport to and from the site (please contact us for details)
- If you are using your own equipment then please read and complete the Own Equipment Liability form
When Can I Start?
We run these courses to suit individual needs, so please contact us to discuss your requirements. The next course will be starting sooner than you think!
Other Relevant Courses
A lot of the wrecks are in deep water, so get trained in deep diving techniques. As deeper dives give you shorter bottom times, extend them by gaining your enriched air Nitrox specialty.