TDI Advanced Wreck Diver Course
Learn how to safely penetrate and navigate complex wreck environments
TDI Advanced Wreck Diver Certification in Nanaimo
Master safe penetration techniques and explore wrecks with confidence.
Wreck diving is one of the most captivating parts of scuba. The TDI Advanced Wreck Diver course teaches you how to safely enter, navigate, and exit overhead wreck environments using technical equipment, guideline procedures, and disciplined team communication.
Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you access to British Columbia’s famous artificial reefs, including deep wrecks that offer ideal structure for learning advanced penetration skills.
Who is the Advanced Wreck Diver course for?
The TDI Advanced Wreck Diver course is designed for divers who want to:
-
- Learn proper advanced wreck penetration techniques
- Build confidence working inside overhead environments
- Improve technical skills such as guideline use, emergency procedures, and team awareness
- Continue progressing toward higher-level technical certifications
Minimum age for participation is 18. Students must already be certified as an SDI Wreck Diver or equivalent, hold an Advanced Adventure Diver certification, and have 50 logged dives before entering the program.
What to expect in your Advanced Wreck Diver course
Training combines detailed classroom learning, land-based guideline drills, and open-water penetration dives. Our wreck-rich region provides realistic environments for practicing navigation, communication, and emergency response techniques.
A typical schedule includes:
-
- Classroom sessions covering equipment configuration, guideline theory, and penetration planning
- Land drills practicing tie-offs, guideline deployment, and zero-visibility communication
- Open-water wreck penetration dives where you learn to manage lines, lighting, trim, and gas
- Progressive scenarios including stress management, lost-line drills, and simulated emergencies
This structure gives you time to develop discipline, situational awareness, and fine motor control before entering complex wreck environments.
Skills you’ll build in Advanced Wreck training
The Advanced Wreck Diver course has three main phases:
#1. Knowledge development
You’ll complete TDI eLearning and review key topics, including:
-
- Equipment requirements for technical wreck penetration
- Stress analysis and team-based mitigation strategies
- Gas planning and decompression considerations for overhead diving
- Lighting systems, guideline theory, and emergency procedures
- Hazards such as entanglement, silt-out, navigation errors, and restricted exits
#2. Land-based drills
You’ll practice the essential skills needed before entering a wreck:
-
- Primary and secondary tie-offs
- Guideline deployment, following, and retrieval
- Lost-line and lost-diver drills
- Touch-contact communication and signaling
- Equipment checks and pre-penetration procedures
#3. Open-water wreck penetration dives
You’ll complete advanced penetration dives at local wreck sites, applying:
-
- Precise trim, buoyancy, and propulsion techniques
- Redundant gas and lighting management
- Team positioning and communication inside overhead spaces
- Emergency scenarios including simulated gas loss, entanglement, or loss of visibility
- Controlled exits using deployed guidelines
These dives replicate real overhead environments, building confidence and competence for future technical wreck exploration.
The gear you’ll use in your Advanced Wreck Diver course
Gear is available for rent through Nanaimo Dive Outfitters. You’ll use:
-
- Drysuit and thermal undergarments
- Dual-outlet single tank, independent doubles, or doubles with isolation manifold
- Stage or decompression cylinders
- Redundant regulators
- Technical BCD or wing and harness system
- Primary and backup lighting systems
- Penetration reels and safety spools
- SMB or lift bag
All training is completed in a drysuit, which offers stability, redundancy, and thermal protection for extended penetration dives in Canadian waters.
Build the skills that make wreck diving safer
Wreck penetration in British Columbia requires precision, calmness, and strong team skills. Learning in these challenging conditions prepares you for wrecks anywhere in the world, from tropical steel reefs to deep technical sites.
Your TDI Advanced Wreck Diver certification is recognized globally and forms a cornerstone for future technical training, including TDI Trimix, and Extended Range.
What’s included
-
- TDI Advanced Wreck Diver eLearning
- Classroom sessions and land-based guideline training
- All required wreck penetration training dives
- Use of reels, safety equipment, and required accessories
Small class sizes for personal instruction
Student perks: You’ll receive discounts on equipment purchases and can join our advanced diving community and club dives throughout the year.
Coming from out of town?
If you’ve started your Advanced Wreck training elsewhere, we can complete your certification through a multi-agency referral. Many divers travel to Nanaimo specifically to train on our artificial reefs and deep wrecks. Whether you’re here on vacation, passing through on a technical trip, or staying on Vancouver Island for work, we can help you finish your course with flexible scheduling and access to ideal training sites. Contact us for details and availability.
TDI Advanced Wreck FAQ
Do all training dives include penetration, or are some conducted outside the wreck?
Not every dive is full penetration. Some dives focus on guideline skills, equipment drills, and emergency scenarios in open water before entering the wreck.
Will I practice zero-visibility techniques during the course?
Yes. Simulated silt-outs or blackout-mask drills help you learn to follow guidelines and communicate when visibility drops to nothing.
Can I take Advanced Wreck without completing Decompression Procedures first?
Yes, as long as you meet prerequisites, but many divers find that Deco Procedures complements the skill set needed for complex wreck penetration.
Do I need to purchase reels and spools before starting?
You may use shop gear to start, but personal reels are recommended because wreck divers develop preferences for line handling.
Is sidemount allowed in the Advanced Wreck course?
Yes, if your instructor and site conditions permit. Sidemount can be advantageous in tight restrictions.
What personal skills make the biggest difference in Advanced Wreck?
Calm problem solving, steady breathing, situational awareness, and disciplined team communication.
Does Nanaimo offer suitable wrecks for this level of training?
Yes. Local artificial reefs provide stable structures, multiple penetration routes, and realistic overhead conditions.
Ready to become a certified diver?
Scuba diving opens the door to new experiences, travel, and friendships. Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you confidence in one of the richest cold-water ecosystems in the world.
Start your SDI eLearning today or contact us to reserve your spot in an upcoming class.
Start Your Adventure
Are you ready to start your journey to becoming a scuba diver?
