SDI Wreck Diver
SDI Wreck Diver
Shipwrecks are some of the most awe-inspiring dive sites on the planet — frozen in time, covered in life, and full of history. This course gives you the skills, techniques, and certification to explore them safely and confidently.
Who This Course Is For
Any certified diver who wants to go beyond swimming around the outside of a wreck and actually understand what they're exploring — the history, the navigation, the safe techniques for getting in and getting back out.
Two Course Options
Non-Penetration (2 Dives)
Exterior wreck diving — charting, navigation, and wreck familiarization without entering the structure. Minimum age 10 with parental consent.
Limited Penetration (3 Dives)
Includes swim-throughs and areas within the ambient light of the entry point. Requires additional skills: lifelines, reels, and penetration protocols. Minimum age 15 with parental consent.
Course Prerequisites
Not yet certified? Start with SDI Open Water ?
Need your Deep Diver cert first? SDI Deep Diver ?
What You'll Learn
Navigation & Planning
- Researching and pre-planning a wreck dive
- Mapping wrecks — vertical, horizontal, and feature identification
- Navigation and directional determination
- Disorientation awareness and prevention
- Usage of slates and charting techniques
Buddy Skills & Communication
- Buddy system in confined wreck environments
- Buddy contact and positioning in close proximity
- Communication in varied visibility conditions
- Buddy lines and line signals
- Lost buddy procedures
Equipment & Lights
- Primary and backup lights — size, burn time, and usage
- Knives and cutting devices
- Lifelines and reels — types, tie-offs, directional markers
- Line handling practiced on land before underwater use
- Surface support and backup procedures
Safety & Emergency Procedures
- Identifying safe vs. hazardous wrecks
- Limited visibility and silt-out management
- Light failure protocols
- Psychological considerations for confined environments
- Emergency procedures specific to wreck diving
Your Open Water Dives
- D1 Wreck FamiliarizationPre-dive review of computers and lights. Familiarization swim around the exterior. Basic charting outside the wreck. Optional line work outside the structure.
- D2 Team MappingPlan dive with surface interval calculation. Complete team mapping of the wreck exterior. Optional line work outside the wreck. Log dive with notes.
- D3 Limited Penetration (if applicable)Plan dive. Descend and conduct limited penetration with lifelines inside wreck (optional for non-penetration track). Log dive.
- D4 Optional Exploration DivePlanned dive with full briefing. Free exploration of the wreck as determined by instructor and conditions. Log dive.
What You Get Out of It
Upon completion you're certified to plan and execute wreck dives similar to those experienced in training — independently, without instructor supervision. Your SDI Wreck Diver certification also counts as a specialty credit toward the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.
Explore More SDI Specialty Courses
Stack your skills. Each specialty makes you a more capable, confident diver — and they all count toward your SDI Master Diver rating.
Not sure which specialty to take next? Call us and we'll help you plan your path ?
Common Questions
What's the difference between non-penetration and limited-penetration wreck diving?
Non-penetration means you stay on the exterior of the wreck — swimming around and over it but not entering enclosed spaces. Limited penetration includes swim-throughs and areas where you can still see ambient light from the entry point. It requires additional skills including lifelines and reels, and has a higher minimum age requirement.
Do I need my Deep Diver certification first?
If you want to dive deeper than 18m/60ft during this course, yes — you'll need a Deep Diver specialty or proof of deep dive experience. Many of the best wreck sites are below 60ft, so we recommend getting both. Ask us about combining them.
Where are the open water dives conducted?
Texas has several accessible wreck sites. We'll coordinate the best location based on your certification track, depth requirements, and where you're located in Texas.
What equipment do I need?
Standard scuba gear plus a primary dive light and backup light are required. For the limited-penetration track, a reel and line are also needed. We'll provide a full equipment list when you register.
Does Wreck Diver count toward SDI Master Diver?
Yes — SDI Wreck Diver counts as a specialty credit toward the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program and SDI Master Diver rating.
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