PADI wreck course and depth of wrecks used

[Divin'Papaw]

For those of you who either have taken or teach the PADI Wreck Diving Specialty course, what is the typical depth limit for the wrecks they use? Since they are teaching new skills, I would imagine they stay away from the deeper (100+) wrecks, but I'm not sure if that's the case.

I realize that the course is very much a basic, entry-level, external survey course. No real penetration except possibly a very small amount on dive #4. But for my own planning, is there a standard or guideline for how deep the wrecks are that are used in the course?

 

[Brian1968]

I did a good chunk of mine on the Spiegel Grove at around the hundred foot mark. The Deep Diving course is a recommended prerequisite. Ultimately, I guess, it's a combination of your current training and experience, what's available to dive, and the way your instructor has of doing things. Mine had me doing simulated zero viz line work, first on land and then at depth. I don't know if this is common though. For me, with the instructor that I had, I got a good deal out of the course.

 

[Hoosier]

Wreck penetration-training dives are limited to within the light zone and within 40 metres/130 feet from the surface, vertical and horizontal distance included. If the wreck used for training is located in deep water (over 18 metres/60 feet), the Deep Diver rating is recommended as a prerequisite for the Wreck Diver program.


However, the depth will be very limited because of the bottom time without having any deco. The most common practice for the rec. wreck is about 60ft~80ft

 

[LG Diver]

For those of you who either have taken or teach the PADI Wreck Diving Specialty course, what is the typical depth limit for the wrecks they use? Since they are teaching new skills, I would imagine they stay away from the deeper (100+) wrecks, but I'm not sure if that's the case.

I realize that the course is very much a basic, entry-level, external survey course. No real penetration except possibly a very small amount on dive #4. But for my own planning, is there a standard or guideline for how deep the wrecks are that are used in the course?

I'm putting the plan together right now with my instructor for the PADI wreck specialty. The dives will be on the Yukon in San Diego- max depth 100'. We'll be doing the deep specialty in parallel. As part of the course we'll be doing reel work on land and in the pool in zero vis conditions. He actually builds a "wreck" out of tarps and PVC pipe in the pool and we practice deploying a reel in "zero vis" by putting foil over our mask.

 

[IndySCUBA]

I'm putting the plan together right now with my instructor for the PADI wreck specialty. The dives will be on the Yukon in San Diego- max depth 100'. We'll be doing the deep specialty in parallel. As part of the course we'll be doing reel work on land and in the pool in zero vis conditions. He actually builds a "wreck" out of tarps and PVC pipe in the pool and we practice deploying a reel in "zero vis" by putting foil over our mask.

I can understand wanting to be able to follow a line out in zero vis, but why would you want to deploy a reel in zero vis? Just curious.

 

[LG Diver]

I mis-spoke.. you are correct. After further conversations with him, what I think we're doing is deploying the reel through the "wreck", then he puts foil over our mask and we follow the line back out. I'll let you know for sure after the pool session July 29th.

 

[Diesel298]

silt out condition
its more of a advanced wreck skill but i thing a intro to a reel is good,
if nothing else gets the dive comfortable in the water

 

[kdesjardine]

For those of you who either have taken or teach the PADI Wreck Diving Specialty course, what is the typical depth limit for the wrecks they use? Since they are teaching new skills, I would imagine they stay away from the deeper (100+) wrecks, but I'm not sure if that's the case.

I realize that the course is very much a basic, entry-level, external survey course. No real penetration except possibly a very small amount on dive #4. But for my own planning, is there a standard or guideline for how deep the wrecks are that are used in the course?

Hoosier has the standards perfect. In my bit of experience, there can be some benefit to a slightly deeper wreck during the course, though. By taking students to a deeper wreck (eg 90 ft in cold water), one can make a good point about the effects of narcosis and limited NDL/air supply on the planning and execution of a wreck dive, hopefully underlining the need for care when executing wreck dives.

A shallower wreck is IMHO a better place to practice penetration skills, particularly after the previous dive. In my case I had students do the non-penetration dive 4 on the deeper wreck, then run another dive which is essentially the penetration dive 4 on the shallower wreck as a graduation dive. Best of both worlds!

 

[Kevrumbo]

This particular Course Outline is the basis by which all other Wreck Courses should be measured and evaluated:
http://www.breakthrudiving.com/classes/outlines/wreck1.html
(just about similar to a Cavern/Intro. to Cave Class). . .

 

[Solitude Diver]

But for my own planning............?

Jim.....

As the rule is 130 feet TOTAL from the surface AND into the ship from the exit; typically, the deeper the dive, the less penetration you would be able to do (assuming you are staying within the standards). However, in our neck of the woods, we dive artificial reef type ships which have been prepared for divers before sinking. They have emergency exit holes cut into the sides periodically enough, that you could dive to 110-115 ft and run the length of a ship (380 ft +/-) and stay pretty close to the standards.

Although it is wise to train at shallower depths, I highly recommend getting some deep penetration experience, while still in the care of your instructor. Handling emergencies while the effects of narcosis are present (whether you think they are or not, your thought process is affected) can create anxiety quickly which could lead to panic.

My first real penetration (dive 4 of class) was at 115 ft, and about 180 ft into the ship (exits where visible in about every other room we passed). In the end we had to deal with: an instructor who lost us by getting too far ahead and didn't notice we turned, total black out from silt (another group passing us), subsequent deco (first time) due to delayed exit time, tangled reel in the dark, tangled fins in line, etc. Although this all created enough anxiety to get close to panic (especially about what to do about the missing instructor), I am very grateful for the experience of having to sort out the issues at depth.

(IMO) I would not think sending a newly "wreck certified" student (that had only trained to 60-80 feet) out as a certified wreck diver, would be prudent. If you can, get some deeper experience. And if you get into just a little trouble that you have to deal with, while an instructor is around, it is probably even better in the long run.

Note: If you only train at shallower depths in your class, don't go deeper without someone who has had more advanced experience. You could VERY easily get yourself into trouble.

Good luck. There is nothing quite like wreck diving.