PADI wreck course and depth of wrecks used

[Divin'Papaw]

Thanks everyone for the input. I've decided to put off my wreck course for now in order to get some more diving experience and until after I've completed a deep diver course. That will allow me to be more comfortable with a deeper wreck as I see definite value in doing one during the course.

Simply completing PADI AOW will not allow me to be comfortable diving to 100'-120'. It may be good enough for some, but not for me. Maybe I'm being too conservative, but I value my life too highly and appreciate what can happen at those depths. My plans are to (1) purchase a 30-40 cf pony bottle, (2) take a deep diver course and then (3) move onto the wreck course.

Thanks for all of your great input.

 

[OWSI176288]

What type of equipment configurations are allowed or used for these "limited" wreck penetrations? Is a redundant air supply required? Otherwise, taking a student diver into an overhead environment who doesn't have a redundant air supply doesn't sound to well planned out, IMHO.

 

[Solitude Diver]

What type of equipment configurations are allowed or used for these "limited" wreck penetrations? Is a redundant air supply required? Otherwise, taking a student diver into an overhead environment who doesn't have a redundant air supply doesn't sound to well planned out, IMHO.

I'm not sure if there is a specific requirement other than having at least 50% more air than you'll need. (You only plan to use 2/3 of your air in a penetration dive).

However, I don't think anyone recommends penetrating without at LEAST a 30 cf pony (in addition to your 50% extra air), or twins with an isolator manifold. This allows for splitting up the two tanks in the event of a problem with one of the tanks that can't be shut off (i.e. burst disc failure, etc), and also gives you two separate first stage reg's to switch between in the event one of those fails. That is how I personally prefer to dive. I use twin 130's with isolator manifold. The last thing I want to do is run out of air in the event of a problem.

Ultimately listen to your instructor as to what he/she recommends. Plan on getting your equipment early enough before class to practice a little before taking your wreck course. (Especially if your going the twins route). It is a lot of task loading trying to get used to the new equipment, buoyancy, and plus all of the new things you'll be doing while wreck diving (running lines while holding a light, etc.) I think I got in about 20 or 30 dives on my twins before actually doing a penetration with them.