Wreck diving is a specialized form of deep sea diving. It is a popular sport with divers. Shipwrecks are often of historical interest. In addition, the ships form artificial reefs that provide habitats for marine life. There are special courses that teach wreck diving. These courses teach divers how to safely explore a shipwreck. Exploring a shipwreck can be dangerous. A diver may get lost in the wreck and become trapped. Special training and equipment is necessary to take part in this sport. A wreck diving course trains divers to avoid the hazards.
There are three categories of wreck diving. Listed from least dangerous to most dangerous, these are as follows: non-penetration diving, limited penetration diving, and full penetration diving. Each step up requires a higher level of training. Non-penetration diving involves swimming over the wreck. The diver does not swim into the body of the wreck. Although this form of wreck diving is the least dangerous, it still has its hazards.
Divers must take care not to get entangled in the wreckage. Limited penetration diving involves entering the wreck, but remaining with the light zone. There are hazards involved with being inside the wreck. The chances of entanglement are greater as is the chance of silt out. However, external light allows the exit to be seen. Full penetration is the most dangerous level of wreck diving. There is a risk of getting lost in the wreckage. In addition, the wreck may be fragile and unstable. If the light source supplied by the diver fails, he or she will be in complete darkness. The diver may not be able to escape from the wreck without aid.
There are a number of types of wrecks that can be explored. These include ships, submarines, and airplanes. Many different kinds of ships can be explored by the deep sea diver. Wrecks that can be viewed range from pirate ships to modern warships. For example, the SS Andrea Doria is a well known wreck that is a popular target for wreck divers. Submarines are of great interest to wreck divers, but they are not often found. Submarines are harder to penetrate because of the confined space. They also tend to be found in very deep water. Wrecks of airplanes are quite accessible. There are large numbers of fighter planes from World War II in the South Pacific. Truk Lagoon in Micronesia is a popular destination for divers interested in airplane wrecks.
Wreck diving courses are conducted by all diving agencies. These courses usually run two or three days. These courses teach students how to safely approach a wreck and carry out a penetration dive. Wreck diving courses include a theory and practical component. The theoretical component covers the regulations concerning wreck diving, safety issues, and dive planning. The practical component of the course involves training dives. The first dive is a non-penetrative dive. At least two dives are penetrative dives. Many wrecks are in deep water beyond the abilities of many divers. Deeper waters require deep diving precautions. Deep wreck penetration is covered in an advanced wreck diving course. There are recreational wreck diving courses and technical wreck diving courses. The latter is for technical divers.
