Training for deeper wrecks

[Hyper-limits]

My question is, there is one particular wreck I'd like to dive a few times that is at 165' - 180'. I don't ever really expect to do any diving deeper than this, but I would like to see this one particular wreck. It will probably be a couple of years before I work up to this.


Any help appreciated.

I agree with all the advise above, to dive between 150-180ft. Trimix is the way to go.
After all this is a wreck you really want to explore if you do it on air you will only remember bits and parts of the dive. If you do it on trimix your experience will be much better.

Advanced Nitrox
Deco procedure
Normoxic Trimix.

Will get you there and 5000$ of gear depending of what you already own.

Cheers

Al

 

[okidoki]

Hi Jamie,

Check out the MV Grace in Malaysia where they dive the Repulse and Prince of Wales, you can do courses as well check out www.penetrationdivers.com

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

While everyone is mentioning trimix training, with which I fully concur, I am not hearing any mention of formal wreck training, which you should also have unless perhaps you are only going to stay well outside of the wreck and away from it once you get there. (What's the point in that?) This would go along with other forms of similar training such as cavern and cave training (though these are not substitutes for wreck training).

 

[Hollywoodivers]

Dive as much as you can. You'll need training beyond recreational diving too. Since you already have your nitrox cert you'll need to advance your training by learning to use mixes above 40% O2 and mixes containing helium...advanced nitrox/decompression proceedures, extended range and then trimix. Of course, this kind of diving requires more gear. I would start getting comfortable with diving with doubles right away....you don't have to go deep...just get comfortable with the extra gear. This will make a huge difference. You never know...diving on wrecks that are deep might appeal to you more after you have you have the training and after you have been "there"

 

[okidoki]

hi there
advanced wreck courses are availeble as well on the MV Grace and any other course of TDI www.penetrationdivers.com

 

[MikeFerrara]

While everyone is mentioning trimix training, with which I fully concur, I am not hearing any mention of formal wreck training, which you should also have unless perhaps you are only going to stay well outside of the wreck and away from it once you get there. (What's the point in that?) This would go along with other forms of similar training such as cavern and cave training (though these are not substitutes for wreck training).

Techjnical wreck diving classes are fairly new and I think their a good thing. Traditionally though divers wanting to prepare for wreck penetration have taken cave training. Caves and wrecks are not the same thing but the basic skills cross over and it's worked for lots of divers for many years.

I think cave training tends to more extensive and cave training taken from an instructor who is also an experienced wreck divers can really be good. My former vave instructor spends the short Great Lakes wreck season diving wrecks off his own boat and helping out on a couple charters and spends the rest of the year diving caves all over the place. Hooking up with some one like him is a good way to get introduced to all of it. also, I've probably learned more from him outside of class than during training. Classes are fine but in the increasingly rare cases when mentoring happens it's a big help.

At one time you pretty much needed to hook onto some ones coat tails to get into technical wreck diving or cave diving. Now you can walk into a shop and write a check. A quick class and your on your way. Not that it can't work but there are definately disadvantages.

 

[jerryn]

While everyone is mentioning trimix training, with which I fully concur, I am not hearing any mention of formal wreck training, which you should also have unless perhaps you are only going to stay well outside of the wreck and away from it once you get there. (What's the point in that?) This would go along with other forms of similar training such as cavern and cave training (though these are not substitutes for wreck training).

I assume that since you are doing shallower wrecks that you have already had wreck training. If not, it is critically important to get training or as mike brought up mentoring. Dealing with silt outs, entanglements, falling objects, fishing nets, gear problems when you are at 180' and are facing increasing amounts of deco obligations are things you must consider and train for in deep wreck diving. Having the right gas in your tank, training with your buddy, and doing dive planning is only part of the preparation for a deep wreck dive.

Jerry

 

[Glaucus]

Because technical training is more equipment intensive and has more stressors than no deco recreational diving, I would also urge physical fitness. Being physically fit helps reduce injuries such as strained backs and the dreaded "trick-knee." It also gives you extra power for unexpected swims and reduces your air consumption rate. Not to mention you won't be the double-tanked dweeb struggling to get up the swim ladder like it's the summit of Everest and you've got a fratboy hangover. :10:

Cheers,