Wreck diving: the Wreck Diver course
Sunken ships, aircraft and other objects draw divers with their history, and underwater they often become home to fish and other animals. But wrecks have their own hazards: unstable structures, the risk of entanglement and silt that rises from the bottom and suddenly cuts visibility. The Wreck Diver course teaches you to explore wrecks safely and responsibly.
What you learn
- Planning a wreck dive: depth, time, air supply and the descent line.
- Assessing the condition of a wreck and recognising places to avoid.
- Mapping a wreck and finding your way with the map.
- Using a reel and line, and staying in contact with your buddy and team.
- Using a primary and a backup light, and diving in poor visibility.
- Emergency procedures on wrecks: losing your buddy, losing your orientation, light failure.
How the course runs
Theory
Types of wrecks and their history, terminology, special equipment, dive planning and safety rules.
Training dives
The dives take place on real wrecks in the Baltic Sea, Lake Galvė or Lake Plateliai; we choose the site to suit your experience. Each dive has its own task: first you get to know the wreck and its surroundings, then you map it as a team and practise using lines. Working with a reel is practised on land first.
Assessment
Your instructor checks that you can plan a wreck dive, move around the wreck safely and respond to unexpected situations. When you finish you receive an international PADI or SDI Wreck Diver certificate.
What comes next
When a wreck lies deeper than 18 metres, the Deep Diver course helps, and in dark or murky water the Night Diver course.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the training dives take place?
On wrecks in the Baltic Sea, Lake Galvė or Lake Plateliai. We choose the site to suit your experience.
What do I need before I start?
For the SDI course an Open Water or equivalent certificate is enough; for the PADI course you need Adventure Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver. We recommend at least 20 logged dives.
How many dives are in the course?
The SDI Wreck Diver course has two dives, PADI Wreck Diver has four.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. Diving equipment is included in the course price.