Wreck Diving is a truly unmatched underwater adventure. Whether it's the awe of witnessing a massive shadow emerge as you descend the mooring line or the delight of exploring corridors where sailors once walked, peeking into holds filled with the echoes of long-lost cargo... The anticipation of the unknown or the excitement of discovering submerged relics, exploring the skeletal remains of sunken ships is an experience that seamlessly blends fascination with thrill!
If you're really pumped to feel the excitement, consider enrolling in a Wreck Diver Specialty course. This course not only equips you with the skills to safely navigate inside and out of wrecks but also imparts knowledge about the historical aspects, what to observe on wreck dive sites, and the do's and don'ts when getting wrecked! With wreck diving sites dotted all around the globe, there's an almost infinite supply of places to visit and indulge in this exciting experience!
The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty Course
During this course you'll gain wreck diving experience under the direct supervision of one a Wreck Specialist Dive instructor. Learn how to safely penetrate and explore the a wreck using the right equipment and techniques. You`ll open up a whole new world of diving and will be able to not just tour the outside of wrecks, but enter enclosed, or limited penetration and overhead environments with confidence and the right skills to return safely.
*Limited penetration ensures you remain within the ambient light of your entry point, providing continuous visibility for a safe exit. Full wreck penetration, an advanced skill, is exclusively reserved for tec divers with specialized training.
How Long Does Wreck Diving Certification Take?
In your Advanced Open Water Course, spice things up by opting for a wreck dive, adding excitement to your underwater adventures. Discover the thrill of exploring a shipwreck and learn how to safely plan and execute dives deeper than 18 meters. This adventure dive contributes towards your Specialty certification, and with just three more dives, you can proudly claim the title of a certified Deep Specialty Diver.
However, if you missed out on the Wreck dive during your Advanced course, you'll need four dives in total to complete your certification.
The PADI Wreck Diver specialty Course typically takes 2 to 3 days to complete here in Koh Tao, depending on the number of dives needed to fulfill the course requirements.
What You'll Learn in the PADI Wreck Diver Course:
- Obtaining background information on wrecks
- Essential equipment for wreck diving
- Safety considerations for wreck diving
- Preparing for a wreck dive
- Limited penetration techniques using penetration lines and reels
- Surveying and mapping a wreck
- Techniques for minimal disturbance to the surrounding site
- Limited-visibility diving techniques and emergency procedures
Wreck Diver Specialty Course Prerequisites
To enroll on a PADI Wreck Diver specialty course you must:
- Hold a PADI Adventure Diver or PADI Advanced Open Water certification, or possess a qualifying certification from another recognized training organization.
- Be at least 15 years old.
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Be medically fit to dive.
Wreck Diver Theory and Knowledge:
The initial phase of the PADI Wreck Diver course involves theory. You can conveniently complete the independent study portion using the PADI Wreck Diver eLearning at your own pace, online or offline, via a computer or mobile device. Your Specialty Instructor will then delve into essential topics such as local laws for wreck dives, hazard avoidance, and dive planning for depths beyond 18 meters. On land, you'll gain hands-on experience laying lines, performing tie-offs, and practicing the use of the reel and penetration line, which will be applied during wreck dives 3 and 4.
In-Water Wreck Diver Training
Wreck Dive 1: Explore the wreck, identifying hazards and practicing safe planning for dives deeper than 18 meters.
Wreck Dive 2: Create a wreck map, calculate size, mark points of interest, and survey possible entrances/exits.
Wreck Dive 3: Practice deploying and retrieving a penetration line underwater along the wreck without causing silt disturbance.
Wreck Dive 4: Explore inside the wreck, planning and performing a wreck penetration dive with focus on minimal silt disturbance.
Upon completion of all the requirements you will be certified as a PADI Wreck Specialty Diver!
Why Choose Koh Tao for Your Wreck Diver Course?
Koh Tao stands out as a top-notch destination for aspiring wreck divers. With three wrecks accessible to recreational divers, this island provides fantastic opportunities for skill enhancement and underwater exploration.
Whether navigating the west side wrecks, HTMS Sattakut and HTMS Suphairin, or exploring the HTMS Hanhak Sattru on the east side, Koh Tao offers year-round wreck diving experiences!
Many divers opt to combine the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty with the PADI Deep Diver Specialty. These specialties complement each other well, given that wrecks are typically located on the seabed at significant depths! Additionally, consider the PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty course to further extend your bottom time!
