Assisting others with Beach Entry/Exit

[EricTheDood]

What's the best way to assist someone who has difficulty with beach entries and exits?

Specifically referring to folks who have difficulty handling the weight while trying to maintain balance in medium surf (2.5ft or greater).

Have the other diver enter/exit without the BCD, while I Inflate the BCD and lug it in and out like a mini raft? Or is there a better way?

Thanks.

 

[pasley]

When I do beach dives with quadriplegic or paraplegic SCUBA Divers or individuals with other issues that make handling the weight I the surf a challenge, I will usually take their gear out for them and then bring them out. Another way is to have them put on their gear while sitting beach just where the water is only an inch or two, then crawl out with regulator in mouth, BCD empty so they can crawl out on the bottom past the waves. Ideally I have someone to mind the gear in the water, but not always.

Personally, if the surf is over 2 feet or so, I call the dive and go to breakfast and do something else other than SCUBA diving off the beach for the day. Visibility will suck any way. I see you are in Orange County CA, if Crescent Cove or Shaws in Laguna Beach is running 3+ feet try the Montage. I have often found it running ankle slappers when the Surfers are riding 3-6 foot waves at Crescent/Shaws/Divers.

See Handicapped SCUBA Association (HSA) International Training manual for more information.

 

[g1138]

Crawl on hands and knees when you get knocked down. Either back out to ocean or all the way high and dry.
Trying to standup from a fall in scuba gear is not going to get you anything but more falls. If you're lucky, the surf will tumble and push you further up onto the beach, but you'll still have to crawl the last foot past the surfline.


Some prep-work that can help would be leg day at the gym and balance exercises (yoga balance positions, slackline, skateboarding, prancing on edge of the sidewalk etc). Essentially you need to learn how to shift body weight and even how to take fall. If you know how to take a fall, it's not so much of a jostle getting tossed by a wave, it also gives you a lot better chances to recover mid-fall.

If you're sure of your balance in surf, you can grab your buddy's first stage and lift slightly. Nothing exaggerated, it's like spotting someone on a bench press, they'll feel a lot of weight off their back and it'll help them crawl faster.

 

[ScubaHH6]

Following this post. I, also, cannot do a normal beach entry/exit (permanent knee injury). As of now, my dive buddy brings my gear, I float it and put on while in the water. I have no issues with entry via the stairs, but the thick sand kicks my butt, particularly exits. I'm thinking of designing a wheeled apparatus so that I can pull my gear down myself, but haven't come up with ideas yet. Love to see what others have to say.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

It's why I like boat dives so much, or catalina casino point. When I get knocked down or lose my balance I do crawl, its usually the exit not the entry. The worst part is all the sand that gets stuck in gear. My work out now includes kneeling on the floor then standing up without using my hands. Now it is without additional weight, but soon I will add my bc with weight. Then a tank. For me most difficult part was adjusting to the weight and where it is situated. If you lean forward to much it can be a face plant, if you wobble to side.... It seems to me you need to train the muscles to accommodate for the weird weight position and possible shifts. And not use your hands. Good luck, and thanks for helping us dorks out of the water, and not laughing too much or too loud.

 

[dmaziuk]

If it's mostly the balance, waltz in sideways holding on to each other. If it's mostly the weight, have the buddy carry the gear in and put it on in the water. You could probably carry it between the two of you and waltz in sideways.

 

[redacted]

For difficult entries and exits in Bonaire, four legs holding hands are often better that two.

 

[Fossil_Diver]

Some prep-work that can help would be leg day at the gym and balance exercises (yoga balance positions, slackline, skateboarding, prancing on edge of the sidewalk etc). Essentially you need to learn how to shift body weight and even how to take fall.

Thanks. Now I have an excuse for why I'm 52 years old and still ride a skateboard. Skate or die!

 

[EricTheDood]

Thanks for the replies.

Tried the waltz. Got to about 18" of water before Dive Buddy could no longer move. Then we both fell into the sand. Would've been hilarious if it were someone else.

Looks like I'll be lugging gear. On the flip side I'll get some boogie board time and my dive buddy gets an HP100 without having to haul it.

Personally, if the surf is over 2 feet or so, I call the dive and go to breakfast and do something else other than SCUBA diving off the beach for the day. Visibility will suck any way. I see you are in Orange County CA, if Crescent Cove or Shaws in Laguna Beach is running 3+ feet try the Montage. I have often found it running ankle slappers when the Surfers are riding 3-6 foot waves at Crescent/Shaws/Divers.

Thanks for the tip! How's parking near Montage?

 

[pasley]

Thanks for the replies.

Tried the waltz. Got to about 18" of water before Dive Buddy could no longer move. Then we both fell into the sand. Would've been hilarious if it were someone else.

Looks like I'll be lugging gear. On the flip side I'll get some boogie board time and my dive buddy gets an HP100 without having to haul it.

Thanks for the tip! How's parking near Montage?

The montage has a parking garage at the South end for you to park in. Limit is 3 hours and you have to feed the meter. Sunday morning before 8:00 a.m. the friends of Bill meet on the beach and the lot is full. So plan to sleep in and get there at 8:01a.m. on a Sunday. Note it is a long walk to the dive site, ADA ramp (only one at a dive site in Orange County) to beach. There is a supermarket with a parking garage across the street as well.

Doing the Waltz.....Personally I always do a beach entry off sand with EMPTY BCD and FINS OFF and secured. Once past the surf zone safely I should be able to inflate the BCD and float while putting on my fins. If a wave comes up in water above my knee, before I can get out past the surf zone, I dive down under it and lay on the bottom and let it pass over me. If I am not past the surf zone before I can float....What the heck are you doing out there in that size surf!? Go have breakfast.