Best instruction/instructors for basic and advanced wreck diving.

[jffknapp]

Come dive with us here in Key Largo. Dan Dawson teaches an amazing Adv Wreck Course. We have any and all gear in our rental inventory, or for purchase in the shop. We've got an inexpensive place for you to stay. Its in the continental US so you can even UPS your gear down and not have to carry it. Courses are on your schedule and start anytime. Our staff are all technical divers, so no 18 y/o kid looking at you stupidly when you ask him to hand you a deco bottle

Lets go diving!

 

[red_barbarian]

Given the OP's profile indicates less than 100 dives, I'd deviate here from going to the "best" wreck penetration instructors to start with. He's in New Mexico. I'd suggest he goes to the Cenotes and do the full cave course sequence. They have a lower silt content and are shallow so he can get the hang of all the exit techniques, trim, etc. From there he will have the foundation to start in a tech wreck environment course. After that I'd recommend a course in SE Asia, in warm silty waters. Subic is an excellent location for learning and would be one of my first choices. Then you can head out and start adding complexities like longer deco's, cold water, etc. I strongly believe in laying down strong fundamentals and building on what you know in graduated steps. The more time you get in the water training the better. Skills have to be done and re-done to stay fresh. Get with multiple instructors; different perspectives and drills , and find buddies with a strong interest and budget to do the same.

 

[DevonDiver]

Attached pdf is info detailing my technical wreck course. It gives an idea of the skills and drills involved.

At 100 dives experience, do also consider advanced recreational wreck training. There's plenty of scope for improving skillset in the light zone, beyond the very rudimentary introduction enabled in most agencies basic wreck diver courses. There are instructors who have written such courses, or offer non-certification clinics or mentoring in wreck diving.

 

[stevensamler]

Almost twenty years ago, when I wanted to learn to dive, I wanted to do it because I wanted to wreck dive...

Now that I have the money and know how much I need to know; If you were me, and you could go anywhere and learn from anyone, what would you recommend?

As an aside, it really annoys me when people here don't name good instructors. Good instructors should be named and called out for doing things right, or going above and beyond the minimum. I wish more people would do that. If I'd have know half of what I've learned here before going to (or even after taking my OW course), I'd have been twice the diver I am today.

Karim Hamza enough said.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Karim Hamza enough said.

Karim is good and has been on some very interesting historical wrecks like the Mars Project.

But of all the GUE Instructors, the best Wreck Instructor -especially for tropical WWII Indo-Pacific Wrecks- is Kelvin Davidson:

• 5500+ dives
• 2000+ cave dives (Mexico, Florida, Philippines, New Zealand and Pacific)
• 1500+ wreck dives (Philippines, South China Sea and 1200+ in Truk Lagoon)

Kelvin was Ops Manager/Technical Instructor of Truk Lagoon Dive Center at the Truk Stop Hotel, and dove the wrecks nearly every day from 2007-10. And Kelvin's instructor & mentor before that was Sam Collett at Technical Diving | Puerto Galera | Philippines | With Nitrox and Trimix

 

[RainPilot]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how Adv Wreck from Trace Malinowski, on the wrecks in the Saint Lawrence River, compares to some of these world-class instructors that have already been mentioned?

I would take the course from @Trace Malinowski in a heartbeat based on feedback I've received from others.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Steve was my advanced wreck instructor trainer. Someone asked about Trace. I have not heard from him in a while. He was having some eye surgery a couple months back.

I'm back in the water with 20/20. Was just cave diving a few weeks ago. I'm working at St. Lawrence Scuba Co., in Watertown, NY and for St. Lawrence Scuba Charters launching out of Clayton, Alex Bay, and Chippewa Bay. Come visit this summer!

 

[Trace Malinowski]

I would take the course from @Trace Malinowski in a heartbeat based on feedback I've received from others.

Thank you very kindly.

Just a couple of finesse videos ...

Shuffling through tiny hole.

Basic 5

Fighter jet style penetration of Islander wreck slalom. My girlfriend just looked over my shoulder and asked, "Are you on a scooter?" Nope. Holding camera.

What I like about the PSAI wreck diving program is that it is closely aligned with the same techniques used for cavern and cave diving. Those of us with a DIR background appreciate doing things either the same way. After the critical skills training, and depending upon the technical level of the student, we do 6 experience dives in wrecks like the Keystorm, America, Jodrey, A.E. Vickery, and after class we often go dive the Lillie Parsons, Daryaw, and Kinghorn for fun.

 

[abnfrog]

john Chatterton is the man

 

[Darghu]

I do live in Europe and I am considering to take some courses with world-experienced instructors.
- Will an instructor accept to travel into my country ? (flight, accomodation, other fees fully paid)
- Do you know some world-experienced instructors based in UK, Europe ?

Thanks