Diving Artificial Reefs: Safety Beyond the Basics

Florida's artificial reefs, especially its intentionally sunk ships, offer some of the most captivating dive experiences imaginable. They are teeming with life and steeped in history. However, exploring these unique underwater structures, particularly sunken vessels, requires a heightened awareness of safety. This guide aims to bridge the gap between recreational and technical diving considerations, ensuring every dive on an artificial reef is as safe as it is spectacular.

Fundamental Safety Principles for All Divers

Before even considering a dive on an artificial reef, these core safety principles must be mastered:

• Be a Certified Diver: This is non-negotiable. Only dive within the limits of your certification and training.
• Dive Within Your Limits: Don't attempt dives beyond your experience level, comfort zone, or physical condition. Be honest with yourself.
• Proper Buoyancy Control: This is perhaps the single most important skill for wreck diving. Excellent buoyancy prevents accidental contact with the wreck (damaging it and yourself), controls ascent/descent rates, and conserves air.
• Maintain Equipment: Regularly inspect and service all your dive gear. A malfunction underwater can quickly escalate into a serious situation.
• Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan: Always plan your dive thoroughly with your buddy. Discuss:
  • Maximum depth and bottom time.
  • Entry and exit procedures.
  • Air consumption limits and turn pressures.
  • Emergency procedures and lost buddy protocols.
  • Specific features of the wreck and potential hazards.
• Dive with a Buddy: Never dive alone. Your buddy is your most important safety tool. Communicate frequently underwater.
• Monitor Air and No-Decompression Limits: Constantly check your air gauge and dive computer. Adhere strictly to no-decompression limits and make safety stops.
• Be Aware of the Environment: Understand local currents, visibility, water temperature, and potential marine life hazards.

Specific Considerations for Wreck and Artificial Reef Diving

Sunken ships and artificial reefs present unique challenges that require specific attention:

1. Entanglement Hazards:

1. • Fishing Line & Nets: Artificial reefs are popular fishing spots. Discarded fishing line, nets, and even ropes can be invisible until you're entangled. Carry a dive knife or cutting tool and know how to use it.
   • Loose Debris: The wreck itself may have loose wires, cables, or debris that could snag equipment.
   • Pro Tip: Maintain good trim and avoid dragging hoses or gauges. Practice back-finning to avoid stirring up silt and to move away from entanglement risks.
   
   

   2. Sharp Edges and Protrusions:

   • Over time, wrecks can corrode, creating jagged edges, sharp metal, and unstable sections. Avoid direct contact. Wear appropriate exposure protection (wetsuit, gloves).
   
   

   3. Currents:

   • Artificial reefs are often placed in areas with good current flow to promote marine life growth. However, strong currents can be dangerous.
   • Mitigation: Assess currents before entering the water. Use descent lines if available. Stay close to the wreck for protection from the current. Be prepared to abort the dive if currents are too strong.
   
   

   4. Visibility:

   • While Florida often boasts good visibility, it can change rapidly due to tides, storms, or diver activity (silting).
   • Silting: The interior of wrecks, and even parts of the exterior, can accumulate fine silt that, once disturbed, can reduce visibility to zero in an instant. Avoid finning close to the wreck and be mindful of your buoyancy.
   
   

   5. Penetration (Entering the Wreck):

   • The Golden Rule: Unless you have specific wreck penetration training (beyond advanced open water), do not enter overhead environments. This includes interiors of ships, caves, or large sections where you cannot see open water above you.
   • Risks: Becoming disoriented, entanglement, silting out, structural collapse, running out of air, and loss of your buddy.
   • Technical Training: For certified wreck penetration divers, specialized equipment (redundant air, reels, lights) and extensive training are mandatory. Even then, plan every move meticulously.
   
   

   6. Structural Integrity:

   • Wrecks degrade over time. Sections can collapse or shift unexpectedly, especially in strong currents or after storms. Avoid areas that appear unstable. Observe from a safe distance.
   
   

   7. Marine Life Encounters:

   • While marine life is a highlight, remember that artificial reefs are home to creatures that can sting, bite, or cause irritation if provoked. Observe, but do not touch. Be especially aware of:
     • Lionfish: An invasive species, but their spines are venomous.
     • Moray Eels: Usually shy, but can bite if threatened or fed.
     • Barracuda: Generally harmless but can be intimidating.
     • Jellyfish: Can appear in the water column and deliver stings.
   
   

   8. Depth and Gas Management:

   • Many artificial reefs are deeper than typical recreational limits.
   • Nitrox: Consider using Nitrox (Enriched Air Nitrox) if certified. It allows for longer bottom times and shorter surface intervals for similar depths, reducing nitrogen loading.
   • Air Consumption: Recognize that air consumption increases with depth. Monitor your gauge frequently and plan turn pressures accordingly.

Bridging the Gap: Novice to Technical

• Novice Divers: Focus on mastering buoyancy, practicing emergency skills, and gaining comfort in various open water conditions before attempting wreck dives. Stick to the exterior of wrecks and shallower sites initially.
• Intermediate Divers (Advanced Open Water/Wreck Diver Specialty): These certifications provide a good foundation for exploring wreck exteriors and some limited, well-lit, direct-to-surface swim-throughs. The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty (or equivalent) is highly recommended for understanding wreck dynamics.
• Technical Divers (Wreck Penetration/Cave Diving Training): These divers have undergone extensive training for overhead environments, carrying redundant air supplies, multiple lights, and using specialized navigation techniques with reels and guidelines. This is a completely different level of diving.

Conclusion

Artificial reefs and sunken ships offer an unparalleled glimpse into both history and the natural world. By respecting these environments and diligently adhering to safety protocols, every diver can enjoy these incredible underwater treasures responsibly. Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional training. Always continue your dive education, gain experience gradually, and prioritize safety above all else. Happy (and safe) diving!