Using Reels and Guidelines for Safe Wreck Diving
Welcome to your Wreck Diving or Advanced Technical Wreck Diving course with Chang Diving Center! This guide introduces the essential skills for using reels and guidelines during wreck or cave penetration dives. Safety and control depend on preparation, teamwork, and good technique.
🧰 Required Equipment
- Reels or Spools – Primary and backup
- Line Markers – Directional, non-directional, and personal markers
🛠️ Preparing Your Line
- Unwind and inspect the full length of your line for damage or tangles.
- Ensure line markers are clean, labeled with initials, and ready to deploy.
-
Plan your dive as a team:
- Diver 1: Deploys the line
- Diver 2: Maintains light and communication
- Diver 3: Supports and assists with tie-offs
📏 General Rules for Line Handling
- Only dive in overhead environments with proper training and certification.
- If unsure about an existing line’s condition, lay your own guideline.
- Never cross another line; place yours neatly below any existing guideline.
- First in, last out: The lead diver enters first and exits last.
🔗 Penetration Procedures
Secure your reel outside the wreck at a fixed and solid anchor point. Always use a primary and a secondary tie-off to ensure line integrity. Keep your line around 15 cm off the bottom to avoid entanglement or silt-out. Avoid sharp edges or surfaces that could damage the guideline. Place directional markers at all turns and junctions to mark the way out.
📍 Recommended Dive Sites for Practice
- HTMS Chang Wreck – Perfect for multi-level penetration practice
- T11 Wreck – Ideal for confined line drills
🎥 Video Tutorial: Reel & Guideline Techniques
Watch our video guide to see proper line handling in action:
