SSI Technical
Wreck Diving

Equipment configuration check, primary and backup light function, guideline reel deployment and recovery in open water before the first wreck entry. First penetration remains within the light zone to establish reel technique and team communication.

• Primary reel deployment from the wreck entry point
• Guideline tension and marker placement technique
• Light failure simulation drill: transition to backup light
• Gas management check: rule of thirds entry discipline

First penetration beyond the ambient light zone. Single guideline run with the primary reel into a known section of the wreck interior. Navigation in low-light conditions, gas management discipline, and controlled exit following the guideline back to open water.

• Maintaining continuous guideline contact at all times
• Silt disturbance management in confined passages
• Turning the dive at the rule of thirds gas pressure
• Exit procedure: following guideline in reduced or zero ambient light

Introduction to branching passage navigation. Two guideline reels deployed and managed simultaneously, with junction markers placed at each directional change. Students plan the route before entry and execute it in total darkness, managing both gas and orientation through the full penetration.

• Junction marker placement and retrieval sequence
• Managing two active reels without crossing or tangling lines
• Lost-guideline protocol: systematic search and exit procedure
• Team communication in zero-visibility conditions

Full technical profile to depth inside or directly exiting from a penetrated wreck section. Decompression obligations generated during the penetration are planned before entry and managed on the ascent or in a designated section of the wreck structure. Gas management accounts for decompression gas requirements as well as bottom gas reserves.

• Pre-dive gas planning to account for penetration and decompression gas
• Decompression gas carried as a stage cylinder with labelled regulator
• Controlled ascent and stop management after exiting the wreck
• Post-dive decompression calculation review and CNS oxygen tracking

Final preparation dive before the certification assessment. Student-planned complex penetration with multiple junction choices executed in low or zero visibility. Gas plan prepared and reviewed with instructor. Post-dive debrief covers any deviations before certification dive sign-off.

• Student leads full route planning and pre-dive briefing
• Multiple guideline junctions: correct marker placement and retrieval sequence
• Low or zero visibility exit following guideline to open water
• Decompression obligation executed on exit with no ceiling violation

The qualifying dive. Student-planned complex penetration with multiple guideline deployments, full decompression obligation, and an exit executed in total darkness following guidelines back to open water. Gas plan submitted for instructor sign-off the evening before. SSI Technical Wreck Diving certification issued on successful completion.

• Student prepares and presents the complete dive plan independently
• Full penetration route executed: multiple junctions, markers in correct sequence
• Exit in zero ambient light following guideline hand-over-hand to open water
• Decompression completed independently with instructor oversight