Wreck Diving

[DiverEMT]

Ok everyone, someone told me that it was bad to dive around a wreck if you haven't been trained in wreck diving. Someone else told me that it was ok to dive around a wreck if you don't have the training if you don't go into the wreck, but to be more cautious of potiental hazards.
I only have Basic SCUBA Diver and I plan to take a wreck course eventually, but when I took my basic course a we dove down to a wreck.
Now I'm all confused.....
Can you all give me some light on the subject I'd appreciate it.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I don't know about NAUI, but if you read the PADI afvanced book, or get the Wreck diving materials you might get to know the dangers of wrecks, even without penetration.

I presume you've had some firefighting training, even informal which would tell you of similar dangers except with fire and on land. Wreck metal can become sharp, you can have overhead dangers even on the outside, etc.

Having said that, I'd bet many people dive wrecks on the outside without any formal prep.

 

[Tanked Monkey]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as you stay outside. Of course, there are different inherent dangers than a normal reef, so you should look at a Wreck book from your favorite certifying agency. But if you stay on the outside, you should be fine. Watch out for snaggles, they can ruin a dive.
Penetration, even just to take a "quick look around" can be potentially dangerous. But wrecks are still TONS of fun. Enjoy it.

Mike

 

[Hyper-limits]

Ok everyone, someone told me that it was bad to dive around a wreck if you haven't been trained in wreck diving. Someone else told me that it was ok to dive around a wreck if you don't have the training if you don't go into the wreck, but to be more cautious of potiental hazards.
I only have Basic SCUBA Diver and I plan to take a wreck course eventually, but when I took my basic course a we dove down to a wreck.
Now I'm all confused.....
Can you all give me some light on the subject I'd appreciate it.

IMO you don't need a Wreck course to dive outsides wrecks. Penetration that an that a different ball game. The only problem with diving most wreck is where they are found, deeper water, current, bad viz etc etc. If you dive these kind of wreck an advanced OW would be more beneficial to you.

 

[Azza]

Depends on the wreck I suppose. Also depends on your diving experience and ability...

We have a wreck nearby that people snorkel on and I certainly wouldnt say one would have to have a Wreck cert.
However there are other wrecks that could be covered in monofiliment line or have other hazards that could grab the uninformed diver...

 

[ScubaFreak]

Hi Alanna,

Like i mentioned yesterday, provided you have a bit of research done, and have an idea of the various hazards you may be facing, you'll be good to go, but Azza made a point too about experience, obviously you're not gonna go to a wreck at 35metres with only basic Scuba Diver cert! Have you plans to do OW cert anytime soon? At least that way you'll be able to head down to 18metres (forgive me, i'm metric )

SF

 

[Azza]

At least that way you'll be able to head down to 18metres (forgive me, i'm metric )

SF

There is nothing to forgive! If only the stubborn few would forget about resisting...

 

[ScubaFreak]

There is nothing to forgive! If only the stubborn few would forget about resisting...

here here Azza...they really should come to the dark side...1kilo for 1 litre fresh water is much easier to remember wouldn't you agree

 

[Azza]

here here Azza...they really should come to the dark side...1kilo for 1 litre fresh water is much easier to remember wouldn't you agree

Eggzackery!
How could it be easier? 1 pint=600 ml=0.6 of a litre?

Or 10 metres = 2 ata, 20 metres = 3 ata...

What is 3/8th's or 7/16th's anyway?

 

[diverbrian]

Alanna,

IMHO, external wreck surveys really don't require a special cert. The tricky ones on this will have special conditions listed in your research. Most of the wreck reference books (ie. Chris Kohl's books on Great Lakes wrecks) will typically provide a basic overview of concerns of diving a specific wreck. The majority of these are covered with deep diving, navagation and rescue diver courses. Monofiliment and other entanglements are possible hazards on local lakes as well as wrecks (depending on the popularity of said lakes). I would think that you are diving with a cutting tool for that reason already.

To give you an idea, most of my diving in the Great Lakes is on wrecks. Many of these are wrecks in cold water between 100 and 130 ft. Of all of the courses and certs that I have taken, none of them is a wreck specific course. They are courses to deal with the special concerns of deep, cold-water diving or general rescue of divers.

So, while shipwrecks do have certain concerns to deal with, these can easily be addressed without a wreck class as long as you plan to stay outside the wreck. Now, having said that, I do have the training materials of my agency (book/video) for the shipwreck cert and they do mention some ideas that aren't bad to know.

Like... carrying a lift bag/Submersible Marking Buoy and line (normally kept on a reel or finger spool) to make an upline if you lose the ascent line. That way you can do a safe ascent and the boat knows where you are at. This is a good idea for emergency equipment in any case when diving off a boat.

More research never hurt anyone, but I would rather see people train to deal with the specific hazards that they plan to deal in than shipwreck diving (no going inside of the things now ) covered in a very wide brushstroke. Now, if you find the opportunity for a good shipwreck course, I wouldn't encourage you to turn it down either. But, don't waste your money and time on worrying about a wreck cert.

Just my two psi. Feel free to take it or leave it as you see fit.