Each wreck is a time capsule into history waiting to be explored by sport divers eager for a glimpse into the past. Divers may also find interesting artifacts while exploring the remains of sunken ships, enabling them to make a contribution to historians and archaeologists by giving them the information needed for wreck identification and further research.
A positive mental attitude is important when participating in any wreck dive. If an improperly trained diver were to penetrate a wreck encountering darkness and stirred up silt, claustrophobia and stress could soon lead to panic. If this situation is not immediately handled with a cool head, the results could be fatal. Never dive beyond your own experience or training capabilities. If you have any doubt, don't do it. Wreck divers should use some of the rules cave divers have been using for years. If any diver in the group does not feel comfortable with a dive, then the dive should be aborted. Staying calm, moving slowly throughout your dive, knowing your equipment and the location of lights and an alternate air source can help prevent stress. Preventing stress can also come from diving frequently, not being over weighted, having properly maintained and working equipment, and knowledge of the wreck and dive site.
Throughout the world there are shipwrecks of all types and ages. They range from ancient Egyptian vessels and Spanish galleons, which now are often only piles of ballast stone, to commercial ships, barges, airplanes and smaller private vessels. Each is distinctly interesting for many reasons and is approached with a slightly different diving style. As divers explore different types of wrecks, they soon notice that the deeper wrecks are often more intact than the wrecks closer to shore which suffer from the constant pounding from the sea and become broken up and scattered over a large area.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
