What is the recommended ratio of gas reserves for wreck diving?

When considering the recommended ratio of gas reserves for wreck diving, reserving at least one-third of your air supply for ascent is a prudent guideline. This approach acknowledges the importance of safety during the ascent phase of a dive, particularly in potentially complex environments like wrecks.

Wreck diving often involves navigating through confined spaces and varying depths, which can lead to unforeseen circumstances, such as needing to extend your time underwater due to exploring specific features or dealing with entanglement scenarios. Having a substantial reserve of air—specifically one-third of the total supply—ensures that divers have enough gas to safely ascend to the surface, manage decompression stops if required, and handle potential emergencies.

Safety planning requires divers to account for contingencies, and having that extra reserve helps mitigate risks, ensuring they can respond appropriately to changes in dive conditions or personal challenges. The one-third guideline is often advocated in diving training because it blends safety with the realism of dive planning, promoting both an enjoyable and secure diving experience.