Subic Bay

Wreck-diving Safety Basics

• Stay within training for depth and penetration. A guided tour of the exterior is still a great dive.
• Bring a primary torch and a backup on any wreck where you might enter shadowed areas.
• Use a line cutter or shears. Fishing line and loose cabling can be present.
• Perfect buoyancy matters. Avoid kicking up silt that can create a silt-out in seconds.

Boat and Harbor Procedures

• Listen for site-specific rules about SMB use and surfacing. Do not surface away from the boat unless instructed.
• If you are prone to seasickness, medicate early. Short rides still count when the sea is choppy.

Dive Planning

• On deep days, plan nitrox when appropriate and keep ascent rates conservative.
• If you are stacking deep dives, schedule a lighter day or rest block to reduce fatigue.

If a Dive Injury Happens

• Treat any suspected decompression illness as time-critical. Notify your operator immediately and activate local emergency services.
• Subic Bay is known in the Philippine dive community for having recompression capability in or near the Freeport area. Many operators coordinate evacuation and chamber contact.
• Carry dive accident insurance (for example DAN coverage) and keep policy numbers and emergency hotlines accessible offline.

General Medical Access

• For routine issues, Subic and nearby Olongapo have clinics and hospitals. For major emergencies, evacuation to Metro Manila may be considered depending on severity and resources.

Wreck Ethics and Conservation

• Do not remove artifacts. Beyond legality, removing objects damages a finite heritage resource.
• Maintain non-contact diving: no standing, kneeling, or grabbing on wreck surfaces.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid littering. Plastic and fishing line are persistent hazards.

How to Be a Good Guest

• Choose operators that brief buoyancy and wreck etiquette clearly.
• If you see unsafe behavior, speak up politely or switch operators. Good wreck culture is a group effort.