Join DiveBuddy.com

Meet new scuba divers, maintain a virtual dive log, participate in our forum, share underwater photos, research dive sites and more. Members login here.

#137
Midwest Lake Michigan Wreck Diving Course - Where?
mrose - 3/31/2014 6:50 AM
Category: Training
Replies: 8

I’m looking to get some training for wreck diving in the Midwest. I live in South Bend, IN and am very close to Lake Michigan. I’m not looking for tech training on intense penetrations. I just want to get started so I can do some small penetrations when I’m diving in Lake Michigan. I’ve done training before at Gilboa Quarry in Ohio, but am looking for other options as well.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to start wreck diver training around Lake Michigan?
#1600
Subscribed
lerpy - 3/31/2014 7:45 AM
What is your current level of certification? You can take a wreck diver course which will get you started in the basics of wreck diving without venturing into the tec level training. As well courses such as cavern can be applicable as well as they train you in overhead enviros, use of reels, spools, and techinics for controlling silting etc. Both the wreck and the cavern can be taken are the O/W level without getting into tec training, but they give you a glimps into the safety and techiniques of tec that will help you.

If looking for instructors in your area check out the Scuba Earth section of Divebuddy to look around for instructors and shops, and maybe even find some like minded buddies or some that have experience in wrecks that could give you some advice.

Good luck.
#137
Subscribed
mrose - 3/31/2014 8:00 AM
I’m currently Advanced Open Water and am starting my Rescue Diver course in two weeks. I’ve done some easy wreck penetrations in high-vis, well-lit wrecks. I’ll do some searching on SE and see what is available. Thanks for the input.
#5471
Subscribed
DiveBuddyChgo - 3/31/2014 4:06 PM
I think you would learn a lot more skills with instruction at one of the springs in Florida taking a full Cavern Course. It’ll be a lot harder but you’ll learn so much more about an overhead environment. Take the family camping at one of the springs for the week.
#137
Subscribed
mrose - 3/31/2014 5:30 PM
I’d love to take a course in Florida and check out some cavern diving there. I did some Cenote dives while in Mexico this past January and loved it. Unfortunately I can only get away for longer-than-a-weekend trips a couple of times a year. Fortunately, I usually get to the Caribbean every year and get a solid week of diving in.

My objective for doing a course near home was so that I could 1) do it without taking a big trip and 2) do some slightly more advanced dives on the wrecks here in Lake Michigan. With many dives in Lake Michigan less than a 2-hour drive, I want to hit those up on the weekends.

A cavern course in Florida is something I’ll keep on the radar for the future for sure.
#5471
Subscribed
DiveBuddyChgo - 4/01/2014 5:03 AM
Next recommendation is the T.D.I. course..L.Mich wreck diving is nothing that your going to learn on a weekend specialty course.first you will have to learn how to dive L.Mich. at 130ft/38 degrees water temp. Learn about the elements/gear. Find a LDS that caters to the commercial divers. Get involved with a group of experienced L.Mich. divers. I also sent you a Facebook friend request. My L.Mich. video’s are stored on my timeline.
#1067
Subscribed
tonymag - 4/01/2014 1:11 PM
diverightinscuba.com. They offer charters and training in Lake Michigan and based out of Chicago area.
#125
Subscribed
JeffMazz - 4/07/2014 7:59 AM
Matt Rose: MAST out of Toledo runs a yearly Wreck Dive Survey course. They provide surveys for all Great Lakes wrecks. Please post to me. I am looking for a dive buddy for May 17th in the NE Indiana/SW Michigan area. I have a business seminar in the evening of the 17th in Lakeville, IN. I am completing a PADI Cavern Course with Cincinnati Dive Center @ Bonne Terre Mine, MO on May 2-4; And complete my Rescue Cert with Atlantis Outfitters @ White Star Quarry (Gibsonburg, OH) May 24-25. It would be great if we could get together for some dives this year.
#137
Subscribed
mrose - 4/27/2014 3:45 PM
Jeff, I will actually be out of the area on the weekend of May 17th. I’ll be in Florida on business and hope to get in some dives at Devil’s Den or Blue Grotto. I’ll be around the rest of the summer, so I’d be game for some diving around the area. Let me know if you’re in the area after May.