NAUI ADVANCED (Penetration) WRECK DIVER Technical Diving Course

In the early 80s, a fellow instructor asked me to type up his outline for a wreck diving course. One of his comments in the outline stated: "Under no circumstances will a diver ever enter a shipwreck, because it is not safe!"

I thought to myself "That is no different than someone saying "No student in a woodworking class will ever operate a planer or a band saw because they might get hurt!"

People learn to do things that may be potentially hazardous under the tutelage of a qualified instructor!

So I developed my own course outline that went beyond a course that only dives the outsides of wrecks, and about two weeks after submitting it to NAUI HQ, I was informed that I had just created the NAUI ADVANCED WRECK DIVER Specialty Course!

This course will train you for safely making penetration dives inside wrecks. This kind of diving, however, is not without its risks.

Factors which must ALL be considered include: integrity of the wreck structure, silt, internal hazards such as jagged metal and glass, your frame of mind, level of training, and soundness of your equipment.

Penetration wreck diving isn't for every diver. You have to decide if you are comfortable in a closed-in environment where it is often "one way in, one way out".

And you NEVER enter a wreck without the proper equipment...

Including two Line Reels.

One primary...

And one back-up reel.

Double tanks with an isolation manifold are also required.

Two good quality primary dive lights are required.

And one good quality back-up light.

These requirements are in addition to full scuba gear.

Duration: One weekend

Location: Off Vancouver Island, Canada

Prerequisite: NAUI ADVANCED SCUBA DIVER, DEEP DIVER, and WRECK DIVER.

Course Fee: $800

Number of Dives: 3

Minimum Class Size: 2

Includes: Boat trip from Port Angeles, WA. to wreck site off Vancouver Island, B.C., instruction, three guided dives, and certification (upon successful completion).