We slip into a wholly completely different world any time we dip beneath the floor, however exploring underwater relics takes that to a complete completely different stage. Wreck diving supplies a singular window into maritime historical past, revealing secrets and techniques from instances passed by.
Wrecks may also improve biodiversity, so the websites are sometimes teeming with life. On prime of that, there are wrecks everywhere in the world. Because of this wreck divers have loads of websites to discover – even after they’re removed from coral reefs and seagrass meadows.
There are other ways you possibly can discover sunken vessels whereas scuba diving. Essentially the most excessive types require intensive coaching and include critical hazards. But, for a lot of divers, the prospect to scuba by means of sunken museums is value it.
Right here, we’ll run by means of all the pieces it’s good to learn about wreck diving. And, for these of you who can’t wait to go in your subsequent wreck journey, we’ll additionally spotlight among the greatest locations to go wreck diving.
What’s wreck diving?
Folks often affiliate wreck diving with shipwrecks. Nevertheless, the time period ‘wreck’ can consult with a number of issues which have been broken or destroyed.
As an example, it’s doable to discover wrecks of vehicles, planes and even buildings, in addition to ships. Wrecks are sometimes the results of a catastrophic occasion, like a ship sinking or a airplane crashing. Nevertheless, automobiles and vessels might be sunk intentionally, forming what is called an ‘synthetic wreck’.
Synthetic wrecks are sometimes positioned in areas missing different options. They’re used to encourage underwater tourism, they usually can help marine life in a number of methods. As an example, they’ll act as a substrate for algae to settle, they usually can present shelter for small creatures.
Wreck dives are sometimes damaged down into three classes:
- Non-penetration dives – divers swim above and/or across the wreck, however they don’t go inside. That is probably the most fundamental type of wreck diving.
- Restricted penetration dives – divers enter sure areas which can be illuminated by pure mild with seen exits. This is called areas throughout the ‘mild zone’.
- Full penetration dives – divers enterprise into the inside of the wreck, past the sunshine zone. That is probably the most excessive type of wreck diving and is usually known as ‘superior wreck diving’.
Is wreck diving harmful?
After all, wreck diving comes with dangers, particularly full penetration diving. The truth is, full penetration diving is probably the most harmful type of wreck diving. For this reason it’s categorised as technical diving and requires specialist coaching.
Nevertheless, like all forms of diving, most of the dangers related to wreck dives might be mitigated with correct coaching and by following security tips.
What coaching and expertise do I would like for wreck diving?
The extent of coaching you’ll want relies on the kind of wreck diving you wish to do.
Non-penetration and restricted penetration dives
Technically, non-penetration diving doesn’t require specialised wreck diver coaching. Some tour operators might even take Open Water divers on one of these dive so long as the location is appropriate. As an example, Open Water divers might discover the skin of a wreck in a shallow, sheltered web site with good visibility.
Regardless of this, non-penetrative diving does include some dangers and hazards, reminiscent of entanglement and sharp objects. We subsequently suggest that you simply wait till you’ve mastered the fundamentals of open water scuba diving earlier than going wherever close to a wreck.
The truth is, one of the best ways to arrange for each non-penetrative and restricted penetration wreck dives is thru a wreck diving specialty course. Programs sometimes cowl particular finning methods, use of strains, reels and different bits of kit, and tips on how to overcome issues related to wreck diving.
There are many programs on the market, and most don’t require intensive diving expertise. As an example, neither the PADI or SSI Wreck Diver specialty programs require an Superior Open Water certification.
Observe that not all speciality programs will embrace a restricted penetration dive, and for some programs it might be elective. Most significantly, taking a leisure Wreck Diver speciality course will NOT certify you to penetrate wrecks. Learn on to be taught concerning the additional coaching choices for this.
Full penetration dives
For those who’re able to discover past the sunshine zone, you’ll enterprise into the area of technical diving. The TDI Superior Wreck Diver course isn’t for the fainthearted, nevertheless it’s important for anybody eager to discover ways to penetrate wrecks safely.
Throughout the course, college students will be taught the proper strategies for finding and planning a full penetration dive in addition to tips on how to use superior wreck-diving gear.
What gear do I would like for wreck diving?
Throughout your coaching, your dive teacher will provide some, if not all, of the gear it’s good to wreck dive. We suggest making a be aware of the gear they use – it’d enable you resolve which gear you’d wish to buy or rent sooner or later.
The gear you’ll want will depend upon the place you’re diving, however listed here are some key gadgets:
Knife or Chopping Instrument
Wrecks typically comprise catch particles, fishing strains, ropes, or cables as they float by. These supplies can entangle divers, so be sure to have a dive knife with you to free you (or your buddy) if wanted.
Dive Lights
Correct underwater lighting is important for avoiding hazards and navigating throughout a wreck dive, particularly past the sunshine zone. Full penetration wreck divers, like cave divers, typically carry not less than three torches to ensure that they’re not left at nighttime.
Drysuit
Many wrecks are present in nations with chilly waters or at depths, the place you lose warmth quicker than close to the floor. This will make dry fits important for some wreck dives.
If doable, we suggest shopping for your individual – a tailor-made match minimises potential leaks that might disrupt your dive. Dry fits are an costly little bit of package, so be sure to take a look at our information to the perfect girls’s dry fits before you purchase one!
Spools
Throughout penetration dives, divers use spools to deploy strains that act as bodily guides again to the entry level. It is a essential bit of drugs, so be sure to try it out earlier than you head to a wreck.
The place ought to I’m going wreck diving?
Whether or not you’re a beginner to wreck diving, take pleasure in some informal mild zone dives, or like exploring the depths, there are heaps of dive websites on the market for you.
It’s difficult to select favourites, however listed here are a couple of of the highest dive websites world wide to encourage your subsequent journey:
Bermuda
Shrouded in thriller for hundreds of years, and boasting agreeable climate year-round, Bermuda is a superb place for wreck diving. Unusually, there are many websites to select from, so it’s a super place for rookies to acquaint themselves with wreck diving.
Egypt
Egypt’s japanese shoreline borders the Pink Sea, which is thought for its coral, marine life and, in fact, wrecks. One of the well-liked methods to discover the Egyptian Pink Sea is on a “Northern Wrecks & Reefs” liveaboard route.
In all probability probably the most notable wreck is the SS Thistlegorm – a British cargo ship that was sunk by a German bomber plane throughout WW2.
The Maldives
Is there something the Maldives doesn’t have? In addition to an abundance of marine life, white sandy seashores, and thriving coral reefs, the Maldives additionally has some superior wreck dives – take a look at the perfect ones right here.
Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, Micronesia
When you’ve bought some wreck diving expertise beneath your weight belt, this wreck diving hotspot will quickly make its method onto your diving bucket record. While some wrecks are accessible by leisure divers, you’ll see the perfect of Truk Lagoon in the event you work your method as much as technical wreck diving. The fantastically preserved WWII wrecks are well-worth the difficult journey to get to Micronesia!
The Philippines
Forming the northern tip of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is famed for its spectacular coral and ocean giants. However do you know it’s nice for wreck diving too?
Specifically, Coron Island is residence to numerous Japanese wrecks that had been sunk throughout WW2.
Turkey
Türkiye has loads of areas providing top-notch wreck dives. The Gallipoli Peninsula is in North-West Turkey, not removed from Istanbul. It’s oozing with historical past above and under the water and is residence to a formidable 19 wrecks.
On the southern coast, there are many coastal cities with vibrant diving communities. For those who’re eager to flee the crowds, Kaş is a laid-back city with loads of actual and synthetic wrecks to discover. The websites range in depth, so that you’ll discover one thing for all talents.
Have you ever tried wreck diving but? Be part of us within the Ladies that Scuba Fb group and inform us about your favorite wreck locations!
Concerning the Writer
Rose has spent the previous few years residing in Europe, the Seychelles and Kenya, working as a dive teacher, author and conservationist. She’s again within the UK in the meanwhile and is slowly acclimatising to cooler waters!
