Just signed up for PADI Wreck specialty course...

[Atomic_Diver]

hey i just signed up for a wreck class really excited but i was wondering what to expect and what tips you can give me for this class its just a basic 4 dives and the last dive we penetrate no more than ' from the surface in the light zone, but no ADV or technical penetrations... what should i expect? any tips Pointers?

Thanks

JD

 

[deepstops]

hey i just signed up for a wreck class really excited but i was wondering what to expect and what tips you can give me for this class its just a basic 4 dives and the last dive we penetrate no more than ' from the surface in the light zone, but no ADV or technical penetrations... what should i expect? any tips Pointers?

Thanks

JD

So what exactly does this class teach if it's only swim-throughs??

This doesn't tell me much from PADI's website:

Through the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course, you get the skills, knowledge and procedures you need to answer the call of wreck diving.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

from what I know, how to safely use reels to penetrate the wreck within the light zone but being no more than 130' from surface verticle and horizantal ex- a wreck at 100' you can penetrate 30' into it so you are being no more than 130' from surface... they told me we would practice silt out techniques and lost buddy techniques etc...

 

[tkdgodess]

Here ya go...
COURSE OVERVIEW
To conduct a Wreck Diver course, the following is to be included:
1. the planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards
of wreck diving
2. the preparation and use of lights, air supplies, special equipment,
penetration lines and reels
3. limited-visibility diving techniques and emergency procedures

 

[Atomic_Diver]

thanks...... and also can you give any tips & pointers?

 

[TSandM]

I don't know when you are taking the class, but in the meantime, if you get to dive, practice hovering still over things. Running line is pretty difficult, if you can't stay still while you put the ties in!

If you aren't the only student in the class, see if you can get the instructor to give you a team lights-out line-following exit drill. This was one of the huge eye-openers in my wreck workshop (it wasn't a PADI class) and gave me a huge respect for how much trouble one can quickly get into in a wreck or any overhead environment.

For real wreck penetration, good buoyancy skills, good horizontal trim, non-silting kicks, and good team communication are key, and you can work on those things in advance of your class.

Have fun with it -- Ask lots of questions, and learn as much as you can!

 

[Atomic_Diver]

he mentioned something also about the team lights out line follow drill.... but i will try to do as much bouyancy pratice as possible

 

[grazie42]

It is sort of funny that regardless of which class you´re looking to take from OW to cave, whenever people ask what to practice, the answer almost always includes bouyancy...of course it´s still very good advice...try hovering witout moving (anything), practice stuff like frog-kick, shuffle-kick and back-kick...while mastering those things will certainly help you in class, it´s also stuff that you´ll get "ROI" from on every dive...

 

[kadleck]

The (PADI) instructor here does wreck as 6 dives, because he does not feel that 4 dives gives enough insight. OK it costs a little more than the 'standard' course, but if he feels it's worthwhile to do the extra, it probably is!

 

[MtnPlayVA]

I'm in the middle of the specialty right now - I've done the class work and spent a little time in the pool by myself practicing running the reel. It is much harder than you'd think. I ended up getting it jammed and spent awhile at the bottom of the pool trying to get it untangled. I haven't done the open water dives yet - going to Key Largo in November for that but I plan to go back to the pool to practice kicks, buoyancy and running the line.
As others have said, practice and practice some more before you get to the open water.