Are you curious about ships that have been claimed by the sea? Are you a history buff, a photographer, or an thrill seeker?
Wreck diving means different things to different divers. Some are drawn to the mystery of the ship and how it sank, some thrive for the deeper challenge. Where did it come from? Who sailed aboard her and what happened to them? To others the wreck is an artificial reef where all manner of life congregates and thrives in these man-made niches. Anemones line hulls and railings. Schooling fish dart back and forth and peep around every corner.
For some divers simply enjoy hovering along the outer surfaces checking out the and the life that know calls it home. For others however, the adventure lies in the ship penetration...exploring the ship from the inside. To penetrate a wreck is to be in a surreal environment. Stairs go sideways, portholes look at the bottom, companionways that once connected the whol
e vessel suddenly become dead ends where bulkheads have collapsed. You will be in a place where down is up, left is down and your reel becomes your best friend. As you enter the structure, your adrenaline kicks in, the heart rate bounces up, your senses become focused. This definitely isn't just another sedate search for nudibranchs!
The challenges of wreck penetration are pretty obvious. Becoming a Wreck Certified diver helps equip you with the tools to make the adventure safe as well as exciting. You’ll learn the skills necessary for dealing with the unique environment inside a wreck. Your instructor will guide you in the proper use of equipment and procedures as well as how to plan and organize a dive to a wreck. During your one evening session and four open water dives with the instructor, you will develop practical knowledge of the shipwreck environment and raise your awareness of the historical value of wrecks as well as the social and legal issues surrounding wrecks. The mysteries await.
Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water Certification from any agency with California diving experience.
Objectives:
The Wreck Diver certification course will familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of wreck diving. You will develop practical knowledge of the shipwreck environment, raise your awareness of the historical value of wrecks and the social and legal issues surrounding that value, and learn skills that will enable you to plan and organize dives to safely explore wrecks within the limits of recreational diving. One evening academic session and two open water dives.
Needed Equipment: Lights, reel and slate for UW communication. We'll help you make the right choices in gear.
Schedule: One weekend in San Diego or local wreck like the Star of Scottland in Santa Monica.
Includes:
- Thursday night classroom session
- Wreck Diver Book
- 4 dives with instructor
- Online Wreck Diver Certification Card
- Buy gear and earn this course free!
