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Wreck Diver

Knowledge Review Part I Answer Key


1. List two reasons why artifact recovery is discouraged when wreck
diving:
- The wreck will become much less interesting for other divers;
- Preserve the site for archeology.
2. Explain why divers must pay close attention to local laws before
planning a wreck dive.
- Sometimes you need a permit for wreck dive and it is necessarily
to know what is allowed and what is prohibited when wreck diving.
3. Describe how to avoid the following potential hazards common to
wrecks:
- Sharp objects: Watch where you put your hands and wear heavy
duty gloves and full length exposure suit; keep in place tetanus
immunization;
- Entanglement: watch where you go and carry a knife and a backup knife;
- Unstable structure: avoid wrecks which seems to be unstable or
structures which are moving in surge or current;
- Aquatic life: watch where you put hands, wear gloves and
maintain good buoyancy control;
- Surge pockets and suction: stay away from tight spaces like
hatches or holes.
4. List five dive planning and equipment considerations for wreck
diving deeper than 18 meters/60 feet.
- Deep dive training;
- Extra air tank at a depth of 5 meters;
- Nitrogen narcosis;
- Short time limit;
- Wreck condition.
5. List two reasons for obtaining a local orientation to an unfamiliar
wreck before diving on it.
- To find out the points of interest;
- To find out the hazards.

6. Explain why special training and equipment are necessary for


shipwreck penetration. In your explanation, include the five hazards
of entering a wreck.
Special training and equipment are necessary for shipwreck
penetration because entering a wreck may have hazards like:
- loss of direction;
- restricted passages;
- no direct access to the surface;
- falling objects;
- no visibility because of the silt;
7. List three aspects of a wreck that should be evaluated when
diving on it.
- Possible hazards;
- Points of interest;
- General condition of the wreck.
8. Describe the three methods of navigating on a shipwreck.
- Following the wreck layout;
- Using a baseline which can be a compass needle or a rope;
- Using prominent features of the wreck.

Wreck Diver
Knowledge Review Part II Answer Key
9. Describe the general techniques for wreck diving in a current.
Anchor the boat on a wreck, using a mooring line or an anchor
line. Put a trail line from the stern and connect the stern with the
mooring line using a swim line. Enter the water and pull yourself
along the swim line to the mooring line and then, keeping contact
with the mooring line, descend on the wreck. On the wreck, stay on
the side sheltered from the current. At the end of the dive, ascend
on the mooring line, make a safety stop and at the surface use the
swim line to go to the stern of the boat. You wait on the trail line,
until you can exit from the water. The trail line can also be used if
you accidentally lose your grip on a swim line or if you dont find
the mooring/anchor line. Permanent mooring lines often become
encrusted with the aquatic life so its a good idea to wear a
protective gloves and watch where you put your hands when you
ascend or descend.
10. List three reasons for researching the history and condition of a
wreck.
- Makes diving more meaningful;
- Explain the wreck sinking;
- To find out what ship you diving on and the most interesting parts
of the wreck.
11. List two sources that provide quick, basic information about
diving on a popular wreck.
- Local boats captains;
- Dive stores.
12. List two benefits of mapping a shipwreck.
- To note interesting features;
- To note hazards.
13. List four pieces of equipment for wreck penetration and state
what each is used for.
- Reel and penetration line to mark the way back;
- Pony bottle as a back-up air source;
- At least 2 lights, recommended 3 for illuminating;
- Slate with a map wreck on it to make notes for future dives or to
help you to find the way back out, if necessary.

14. List the three limits for wreck penetration:


- 40 linear meters from the surface;
- The edge of the light zone;
- The rule of thirds for air management.
15. Describe the proper techniques for entering, moving through
and using a penetration line in a wreck.
Begin by securing the penetration line outside the entrance. Tie
the line to something strong, without sharp edges and be sure that
the line can not slip of the end. The reel diver go first. Stop at the
entrance, look around for hazards and make sure your bubbles
arent causing to much silt to rain down. Just inside wrap the line
securely. Maintain neutral buoyancy and avoid to stir up much silt.
Avoid to use powerful flutter kick. When possible, pull yourself
gently, rather than swim, but be careful so you dont get cut or
damage aquatic life or the wreck. Stay near the penetration line,
close enough so you can reach it at any time but dont pull yourself
along it because this way you can break the line or you can yank
the reel out of the divers hand. The reel diver must keep enough
tension on the penetration line to avoid its entanglement but in a
such a way to not break the line. Wrap the line around objects that
wont cut the line. Explore until you reach a maximum of 40 linear
meters from the surface, the edge of the light zone or if any diver
has used 1/3 of his air.
When you turn around, grasp the line with the hand closest to it,
turn towards to the line and holding it away so you dont get
tangled in it, then holding away with the other hand to complete
the turn. Exit the wreck in reverse order. The reel diver is the last
out.
16. Describe the proper responses and actions for each of the
following during wreck penetration:
A) Bad visibility caused by silt stop and grasp the penetration
line. Give the silt few moments to settle. If no improvement quickly,
turn around without losing contact with the line; dont pull the line
but make an O with fingers around the line and exit the wreck.
B) Buddy loss if your buddy, who hasnt the line, is lost, leave
the line in place. If the buddy lost track of the line he may relocate
the line later and follow it out.
C ) Loosing contact with the line or the line gets cut stop and
allow any silt to settle. Look around for the natural light from the
entrance. If you use a light dont turn it off ( it can burn out ), but
cover the light to be able to see where the natural light from the
entrance is coming from. If youve been tracking your progress on a
slate, that may help you to. If you handling a reel when a diver
loses the line and you have to exit before the diver regain contact,
leave the line in place. The diver may find the line later and follow it

out.
D) Light fails stop and make contact with the line. Switch to
back-up. If back-up doesnt work borrow from buddy and end the
penetration. Always, when a primary light fails, the penetration
ends. Dont continue the penetration using the back-up light.
E ) Running out of air switch to pony bottle. Signal to the
buddy and end the dive by exit the wreck and ascend. If you dont
have a pony bottle use an alternate air source from buddy. Exit the
wreck with the air donor in front of you, holding his tank gently, so
you stay together. If the donor has the reel, its simplest to leave
the line. You can retrieve it later.
F ) Reel jammed stop the penetration. Retrieve the line by
wrapping the line around the reel.

30.07.2013

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