Wreck 2

Introduction

UTD Wreck 2 is a “Mastery of Wreck Diving” class designed to build upon the UTD Wreck 1 and UTD Trimix 2, providing the tools to penetrate wreck at depths beyond recreational limits.

Divers will use multiple stages and various breathing mixtures to extend penetration and reduce decompression obligations. Students will learn to apply UTD overhead protocols to wreck diving while mastering the use of diving doubles, stages and conducting penetration with complex navigation inside wrecks. Students will also become familiar with the failures associated with this kind of diving.

Combining wreck penetration with mixed gases for deeper diving seems like a logical leap to make, but it’s always that which you don’t realize you don’t know that causes you problems. This Technical Wreck Penetration class is designed for people who are eager to press forward with more challenging exploration. We’ll raise the bar on your own diving by introducing new considerations for all parts of your dive, from descent to deco.

And, much like Wreck 1, we’ll introduce these skills, then test them in a controlled manner to ensure your understanding, then apply them is actual overhead environments. More so than anyplace else underwater, wreck diving requires a well-versed and proficient diver who’s ready to think outside the box, whatever the situation. This class will help you understand how to get outside of the box and open your mind to critically analyze unforeseen circumstances and determine the best road out.

Prerequisites

Minimum 21 years of age

UTD Wreck 1 and Trimix 2 or equivalent

Minimum of 25 wreck penetrations Minimum of 10 dives in specific training scenarios in preparation for Wreck 2

Course Limits

Maximum depth 200’/60m

Standard back gases are 21/35 and 18/45

Standard decompression gases are Nitrox 50 and 100% O2

Multiple decompression and stage bottles

Why this class?

Combining wreck penetration with mixed gases for deeper diving seems like a logical leap to make, but unfortunately, it's always that which you don't realize you don't know that causes you problems. This Technical Wreck Penetration class is designed for people who are eager to press forward with more challenging exploration. We'll raise the bar on your own diving by introducing new considerations for all parts of your dive, from descent to deco. And, much like Wreck Penetration 1, we'll introduce these skills, then test them in a controlled manner to ensure your understanding. More so than any other environment, wreck diving requires a well-versed and proficient diver who's ready to think outside the box, whatever the situation. This class will help you understand how to get outside of the box and open your mind to critically analyze unforeseen circumstances and determine the best road out.

Who is this class designed for?

The Technical Wreck Penetration 2 diving class is designed for the most demanding technical wreck diver who wants to explore and penetrate the wrecks dotting the abyss while using multiple stages and deco bottles. This workshop instructs divers in the use/failures of doubles, multiple stage decompression, Trimix bottom mixtures, decompression mixtures of 50% and/or up to 100% oxygen and advanced wreck penetration.

Class Information

This class is generally held over three days and involves roughly 30 hours of instruction, including 6 dives and 8 hours of academic instruction.

While the use of Trimix is not tremendously complicated, there are many subtle and potentially dangerous issues with which divers must be acquainted while penetrating a wreck utilizing multiple stages. UTD believes that individuals in the pursuit of technical wreck training should not be limited by the information made available to them. Instead this information should cover all the practical and theoretical issues likely to be encountered by the wreck diver.

This class is a decompression class, divers in this depth range must be aware of the potential for entering into decompression commitments and should be prepared.

Day 1. Typically we begin with a 3 - 4 hour initial session consisting of introductions,and dry runs (on land) of the skills and some practice before entering the water. Skills include improving a divers understand of complex line work, stage handling, air sharing, valve failure and management, ascent procedures and surface marker buoy deployment. Students then have four (4) dives putting these skills and concepts into actual practice. We conclude with a video review and a few hours of lecture and review on gas management.

Day 2. The third day moves into repetitive deep wreck penetration dives using stage and multiple deco bottle. These experience dives are videoed and reviewed.

Day 3. Centered around extending your experience in the environment. You will conduct a Trimix dive wreck penetration dive with extended decompression followed by video debriefing and the review of the course materials.

All UTD classes are videotaped for educational review, as we believe this is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills, situational awareness, communication, and team diving. Learning to self evaluate is an important aspect of any class, and video is one of the most important tools we have for instruction.

You will be evaluated during the class to obtain the UTD "Wreck Penetration 2" Certification. This Certification will complete your Wreck Penetration Training and allow you to dive and explore utilizing multiple deco and stage bottles inside a wide variety of wrecks. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. To help prepare for the rigors ahead, see our Learning Center you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be evaluated on.

Requirements

Minimum age of 21

Completed UTD registration process

UTD Wreck 1 and Technical Diver or equivalent

All UTD Classes are Non Smoking

Minimum of 200 logged dives with at least 75 dives on double tanks, of which at least 25 are utilizing single stage and at least 25 dives beyond 100ft/30m (utilizing Triox/Helitrox/Trimix). Students should have completed at least 25 wreck dives, spent at least 10 dives in specific training scenarios in preparation for Wreck 2.

All participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards in 14 min or must be able to swim at least 900 yards in 18 minutes with mask & fins.

All participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 40' (12m) on a breath hold or demonstrate an air share swim where the ooa diver swims at least 50' (15m) to the donating diver

All participants must tow a diver in full equipment, in the environment they will be diving in at least 400 yards in 16 minutes

All participants must demonstrate a rescue of a toxing diver.

The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician

Getting Started

Check the Schedule of classes in your area
Register Online
Complete the online Knowledge Base course for Wreck Diver
Get a copy and review the "Technical Diving DVD"

Guidelines

All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4
All dive are to maintain an END <100, with a max depth of 180'/54m.
Two 40cft (5.5L) Deco Stage bottle needed (70' (21m) and an Oxygen 20' (6m))
1 AL 80 (11L) stage bottle (Marked as needed)
Nitrox & TriOx/Trimix
Double tank configuration with an argon system if using dry suit.
Long hose primary, and necklace style backup regulator hose configuration
Instructor to student ratio maximum 3:1 in the class, with a 3:1 for direct supervision for in water sessions.

Equipment Specifications

UTD equipment configuration is designed to be simple, efficient, and consistent. To get the most from your class it is advisable that you take the course in a complete UTD style system. To better assist you in preparing for class, we have listed below our suggested equipment lists for the class.
Backplate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ web harness and hardware
Back inflate style wing.
At least one depth-measuring device
At least one time-keeping device
Fins: non-split variety
At least one cutting device
X-notes or Wetnotes
400' (120m) penetration reel
One spool with 100 feet of line
One surface marker or lift bag
Exposure suit appropriate for the environment you will be diving in
Regulators & UTD Hose Configuration 7 ft. Primary Regulator Hose
22 or 24" Necklace Regulator Hose
24 or 26" SPG hose
BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle
Two backup lights: with non-rechargeable in-line two to three c-cell battery lights with a minimum of protrusions and a single attachment at its rear. The light should be activated by twisting, with no switches.
At least six (6) line markers of which at least three should be directional (line arrows) and three non-directional. Diver's initials or other identifying information should be readily visible.
Cylinders Double tank configuration (1 per day of diving)
Two 40cxft (5.5L)decompression bottles and 1 Al80 (11L) stage bottle is necessary for this workshop
A argon cylinder is necessary if using a dry suit