The entry and exit when shore scuba diving can present greater risks than breathing compressed air underwater on a scuba dive.
Checks Before Shore Scuba Diving
The shore scuba dive site must be checked before venturing into the water. Some scuba shore dive sites are regularly dived, so there should be reasonable general knowledge about the scuba shore dive site.
Boat movements should be checked before entry. It is not good to share scuba dive sites with speedboats, from a safety point of view as well as the noise and waves from the boat wash. A scuba dive safety flag should be displayed
Preferably there should be a suitable area to gear up the scuba equipment. A flat area next to the entry and exit point is best.
There must be something to see or do at the particular dive site, with an adequate scuba dive plan.
Shore Scuba Diving Entry and Exit
The entry and exit points for shore scuba dives must be considered carefully. They could be slippery or unstable that will present a risk when waddling in scuba gear on the land.
At the end of the scuba dive, the exit point might become slippery with water dripping off divers.
If the water is a bit murky and what is under the water in the first few feet can’t be seen from the bank, then it would be best to slide in feet first. A giant stride entry into murky water that hides a sharp tree stump is not good.
Second Exit Point When ShoreScuba Diving
A second exit point should be determined before getting in the water. The current should be checked for the direction of travel. Then if something goes wrong during the scuba dive, the second exit point could be used.
Scuba Surf Entry
Scuba diving through the surf can be an interesting and challenging experience.
The best time to enter the surf, say to dive on a reef or wreck outside the breakers, is when the surf is small. If the surf is large, the bottom will be stirred up making poor visibility.
Rips should be avoided. This is where the water returns to the sea. Rips are characterised by breaking waves being reduced and looking “confused” by the large amounts of water flowing against them.
Before heading out, a compass bearing should be taken on the reef or offshore dive site.
Scuba dive fins should be put on before entering the water and then the diver walks backwards into the waves. A scuba diver should get below the waves as soon as possible as it is much easier to swim below the water than on top. It is also fascinating to watch the waves breaking above the head while swimming out.
The compass should be used for direction as the sandy bottom under surf usually has nothing for reference. When at the dive site, a marker should be placed as a reference point for the start of the return swim.
Scuba Surf Exit
The procedure for the scuba surf exit is similar to that for entry in that a scuba diver should remain under the waves for as long as possible.
When safe to stand up, that is between waves, the scuba diver should walk backwards out of the water and onto the shore. Fins can be removed when out of the waves.
Shore scuba diving can be fun and also provides an opportunity for exploration. Scavenging for bits and pieces such as historic bottles or fishing sinkers to make into scuba dive weights can make shore scuba diving a rewarding dive.
Bruce Iliff - Hello from an Australian freelancer! I’ve been scratching articles together in Australia in a range of subjects for a number of ...
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