Wreck Diving Kit

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by bob wippin

WTF this is a prime example of asking yorkshire divers a question with no tec diving inclination and getting a full on tec answer. Why are people telling him to do tec diving courses and buy all the kit, sorry just remembered thats because all wreck dives in the U.K are deep cold and dark....What's that I smell....

I kind of see your point I mean there are plenty of shallow wrecks out there in the 15 -30m range. However I managed to accidentally penetrate the Countess of Earn in about 13m of water and 1m of viz when I first hit UK wreck diving so I don't think the advice to get some wreck specialist training is too far fetched.

I also seem to remember getting into a spot of bother on the Loanda in 25ish m as well so depth (especially with limited gas supply) is not really the issue here its understanding the problems and dealing with them.

Is all you need to get started in wreck diving is a small reel, a ratchet reel would be good. A torch possibly a U.K. as they are quite small, cheap but still good torches. Then for limited wreck penetration this will be covered in the PADI wreck specialty guide, depending on the school that teaches you.

The PADI wreck specialty is similar in cost to a tec wreck course and IMHO (having done it) not as good but I my not have had the best instructor and I have lernt that the quality of the instructor is key. So do what ever wreck course you like but do it with a good instructor so I recommend Mark Powell and i am sure others will help with other good instructors.

Diving with " a small reel" is fine if you can deal with loosing it or having it jam when you send up an SMB. If you cant then you need training to cope and suitable back up equipment.

If the UK is the best torch you can afford then get that. My personal advice is get the best you can. With S/H umbilical 10W HID'S going for £200 and S/H 50W halogen Torches being virtually thrown away I would set my sights a little higher.

It has been suggested that you seek tec level training. I would not recommend this just for starting out in wreck diving.

Tec training is a blanket cover all. If you accept technical diving as being multi gas diving then a wreck course is not really a tec course if you do it on a single 15 of air and a pony.

However this is semantics. I had dived for over 10 years in the blue and done a few other UK dives before I did my first UK wreck dive. I dropped on to a 30m wreck (more like 28m actualy) in Feb in 1m viz and I shit my self. I remember loosing my buddy on the shot on the way down and then loosing the shot because i let go for a second

It was a very unpleasant experience and i nearly quit UK diving on the spot. I should have sought advice and mentoring and I should have got training. I joined a dive club and met someone who showed me the way.

Meeting the right person to mentor you is part planning and part luck. Its worth a bash and i would strongly recommend Canterbury BSAC seeing as your based in Kent for tutoring and regular diving (Just avoid Paul oliver i here he is a little dodgy )

If you want to fast track and can afford it then do a course with Mark or another instructor with similar ability.

Look at it this way it will take you quite a while before you are happy in twins etc just to do the deco course, and anly once you have finished this will you be able to begin the advanced wreck course. With all the kit and training, travel you are looking at the best part of £2000.Then you find after you have done a tec wreck diving course it wasn't what you thought it would be.

If you intend on going down the twinset and decompresion rout then he is right, the costs are considerable. If you cant afford it then I again strongly recommend the BSAC rout via an active club like Canterbury BSAC.

This will provide a first class education in UK wreck diving and I have to say Dover offers some great shallow wrecks.

I would say its quite hard to get a dive on shallow wrecks in this area. Most of the charter boats are diving 25m+ and for a UK Novice this is plenty deep enough to be considered a serious dive.

Winter is not a good time in Dover The viz tends to drop right off. that said there are a couple of more months before this really kicks in. You could get one or two good dives in before Christmas and then spend a few months in puddles honing the skills you have picked up and be ready for 2007 session.

What ever you chose to do, your local so if i can help out i will but i am not a professional instructor only a keen amateur who will happily talk diving till my wife shoots me

ATB

Mark Chase