We can easily utilize the Deep and Wreck specialty programs in a combined fashion to teach safe offshore North Carolina diving, where we normally dive on wrecks below 100 feet... And our 25 years of experience have taught us that one needs to know what one is up to when one jumps off a perfectly good boat into the open Atlantic ocean 30 to 50 miles offshore. Appropriate training accelerates a diver's ability to learn these important things. So here's how we structure this combined program:

This comprehensive program involves:

These training materials, both to be completed prior to starting the course::

• The SSI Deep Diver Home Study Kit, $36.95
• The SSI Wreck Diver text, $11.95

One full briefing session to go over these issues:

• Wreck orientation / dive planning
• Emergency procedures
• Air consumption / decompression issues
• Boat procedures
• And etc...

One quarry session (normally the weekend prior to the charter), to conduct the following:

• Comprehensive dive skills review
• Coastal Boat Exits (modified Giant Stride) and ladder reboarding
• Ascent / Hang-line / Tag0line review
• Weighting
• Equipment check-out
• and etc...

Two days of diving the offshore wrecks (4 dives):

• All dives are completed under the supervision of an experienced offshore instructor
• .Since these wrecks are typically in the 100' - 130' range, we require that the Deep Diver course be completed prior to taking the Wreck Diver course. We facilitate this, though, by offering the Deep course on Saturday and the Wreck course on Sunday. And yes, the Deep course is done on wrecks. (we don't make you sit out in the sand.)

Equipment Requirements for Offshore Diving: You must have your own Total Dive System, which should include:

• Snorkeling System
• Buoyancy Control System: BCD w/power inflator and/or Alternate Air Source/power inflator
• Air Delivery System w/alternate air source
• Computer
• Weighting System
• Appropriate Exposure System
• Dive Alert
• Wreck Reel
• Large Safety Sausage
• Jon line and a slate

The bottom line:
After completion of our Deep and Wreck program, divers will know the protocol utilized by dive charter operators like Aquatic Safaris, Discovery Diving, or Olympus Dive Charters, etc. for diving the wrecks of North Carolina, down to a max depth of 130'.

Required Experience Level: Carolina wreck diving is some of the most exciting diving on the planet. BUT - it is done at the deep limit of the sport diving range, and it is 30 to 50 miles offshore, and it is in the volatile weather conditions found in the open Atlantic Ocean. So it is only prudent to have some non-negotiable rules in place. Here's ours:

• Charters fees are separate from the course tuition and must be paid at time of booking.
• Air or Nitrox fills are your responsibility.
• We do not determine what wreck we will be diving until we're heading out the inlet and checking sea conditions, but we will generally be diving the 80' to 130' depth curve (Hyde, Papoose, Atlas, U-352, etc.).
• All charter participants MUST HAVE an ADVANCED OPEN WATER RATING (AOW) or equivalent rating (any agency) and at least 2 previously logged dives deeper than 100 feet offshore North Carolina to get on the charter- OR be enrolled in our Deep/Wreck specialty courses.
• Charter is booked with full payment. In the event of a cancellation, no refunds are given unless the charter spot is re-sold or the dive is cancelled due to weather.

Medical Waiver: If it's been more than a year since you were in the water, and/or it's your first time taking a course from Gypsy Divers, a Medical History Form is required. If you have any "Yes" answers, it may be necessary for you to get a Physicians Approval before signing up.. Here's the link to the forms: Medical History Form and Physicians Guidelines. Please call us if you have any questions.