Everyone enjoys a good wreck and even more so if you are skilled enough to penetrate the wreck. However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t come with it’s hazardous consequences.
CONTENTS:
- Seek Proper Training
- Hazards inside the wreck
- Maintain Buoyancy
- Entanglement
- Become a SAFE Wreck Diver
1. Seek Proper Training
First of all seeking the proper training is of utmost importance. Search for an instructor with experienced knowledge of wreck diving to teach you and become educated in effective techniques, then practice – practice and PRACTICE!
2. Hazards inside the wreck
One of the worst fears of many divers is getting trapped inside the wreck. It is also a known fact that wrecks deteriorate over time, and their structure weakens, which is why we urge divers to be most vigilant. The best way to counteract this hazard is to have a good look at the wrecks blueprints, and study it over until it sticks. Having a dive buddy is also crucial, that way you can aid each other if something goes wrong. It would be disastrous if any of these things should happen while you are penetrating a wreck.
3. Maintain Buoyancy
It will get harder to maintain buoyancy, and will result in possibly damaging your equipment. Or worse, banging your head, rendering you unconscious or bleeding out. Familiarizing yourself with the wreck before penetrating it is crucially important. Tech divers are taught to deal with traumatic underwater situations like, buoyancy and propulsion methods, and also learn to avoid or at least minimize the dispersion of silt as they pass.
4. Entanglement
It is quite possible that you might get entangled or trapped. It is common to find fishing nets and lines around and inside a wreck, which are very hazardous to divers, for obvious reasons. Even wires from the wreck itself are hazardous while a diver is penetrating said wreck. Overtime the outer coating of wires deteriorates and so exposed wires can get caught in your equipment. Make sure to have a good sharp cutting knife or shears within comfortable reach, just in case this happens to you.
5. Become a SAFE Wreck Diver
There are many other risks that factor in as well, however, if you are planning on taking that step to becoming a qualified wreck diver, the key is to learn your diving techniques and tools seamlessly, and like we said before, practice, practice, PRACTICE with an instructor you trust who has expertise in wreck diving.
Ready to start your journey? Have a look at our Wreck Diver Course and see if it’s for you…..
What if you’re already a Wreck Diver but want to take your training to the next level? Head to Techwise for Adv Wreck Training….
Written By: Alan Whitehead
