NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver
80 Wreck Diving
LEARNING GOALS
In this chapter you will:
1. Be introduced to the popular and challenging
activity of wreck diving.
2. Learn the possible hazards of wreck diving.
3. Be introduced to the equipment used by wreck
divers.
4. Learn about the procedures used by wreck divers.
5. Understand the legal and ethical issues associated
with wreck diving.
6. Explore a typical Advanced Scuba Diver course
wreck dive.
INTRODUCTION
Nearly everyone has dreamed of discovering an
ancient galleon filled with treasure. Just the thought
of finding gold and silver, jewelry, money, and other
treasures is exciting. The possibility does exist because
more than one fourth of all of the gold that has ever been
mined has been lost underwater. It is rare that treasure is
recovered, but Wreck Diving is one of the most popular
diving activities for other reasons. Some ships are even
sunk purposely to form artificial reefs and interesting
dive sites (figure 8-1).
People dive on wrecks to collect relics and artifacts
(where it is legal), to use them as an interesting background
for underwater photos, to hunt or observe the
abundance of life often found there, to pursue interests in
history or archaeology, or just for personal reasons such
as curiosity or fascination. There is an awe and mystique
about wrecks that seems to keep divers returning to them
(figure 8-2).
Finding wrecks isn’t easy, even if you know their
exact location, and finding wrecks that are undiscovered
challenges even those who devote their lives to it. There is
always the possibility that you will come across a wreck
by chance, but such findings are rare. Even if you should
come upon a wreck site, you might not be aware of it. The
classic Spanish galleon wrecks depicted in movies are not
to be found in the sea. The elements and the creatures of
the ocean soon reduce a wreck to a pile of rubble and hide
it with a dense covering of growth. However, shipwrecks
can be preserved amazingly well in fresh water.
Wrecks often occur because of the geographical
area. There are often dangerous reefs and strong currents
that contributed to the sinking of the vessel and with
which divers must contend if they wish to visit the site.
Wrecks are frequently found at deeper depths, requiring
careful planning and procedures. In the next part of this
chapter you will learn of many other potential hazards
associated with wreck diving. This activity is definitely
FIGURE 8-1. Shipwrecks have always intrigued divers and many learned to dive just for the opportunity to dive a wreck.