Eight Runty Wreck Rules
Small, insignificant, little rules, however you describe it, are as noteworthy, weighty, momentous, as the time and money you have spent diving a wreck. Here are seven rules to remember which will keep you safe when you are contemplating diving down to the ocean floor in search of ship wrecks.
Small, insignificant, little rules, however you describe it, are as noteworthy, weighty, momentous, as the time and money you have spent diving a wreck. Here are seven rules to remember which will keep you safe when you are contemplating diving down to the ocean floor in search of ship wrecks.
RULE 1 For any wreck dive and especially one that involves penetration, observe all principles including the configuration of equipment for technical diving, i.e., all elements providing you life support down there would need to be duplicated.
RULE 2 On wreck dives, it is better to carry out dives in a team, not solo.
RULE 3 All equipment has to be the most streamline and not have such elements where you can be hooked or that won’t be under your continuous control.
RULE 4 Equipment that hangs down or isn’t filled, will surely be hooked. Of course, filled or inflated equipment will, sooner or later, be caught on somewhere as well, but it is less likely.
RULE 5 When penetrating a wreck, always think of how you will come back, especially in conditions of zero visibility and with a partner who is out of gas. A situation like this will significantly complicate matters, but plan-ning such a situation and following the rules above can save your life.
RULE 6 Do not penetrate without a line. However, an ineptly laid line can get snagged. Complacency also creates gaps and gives feelings of false confidence that you have a guaranteed way back.
RULE 7 Don’t think that if you learned to dive caves, you automatically know how to dive wrecks. Despite the similarities of these types of dives (since they both work with line and lights, equipment performance requirements are similar), the specifics differ and in some situations can differ greatly.
For the rest of this article and other stories, check out our latest Asian Diver Issue 1/2013 Vol.124) here or download a digital copy here.