Assisting others with Beach Entry/Exit

[TMHeimer]

pasley, In my very limited experiences diving in surf and sand (N.J.) that's what I wound up doing--just is logical.

 

[Hatul]

I agree with Mel that if you see a big wave coming best thing is to hit the bottom as the energy is on top of the water and will knock you down.

 

[admikar]

May I suggest snowboarding? It teaches you balance and it definitely gives you a leg workout, so you have safeguard against falling down,and even if you do fall down (everyone does), you have muscles to raise yourself up.

 

[Nemrod]

I am sorry, it is every man for himself. I have enough titanium in me to worry about being scrapped for metal value. N

 

[ReefHound]

First, don't underestimate the power of the surf and know when to abort and wait for a calmer day.

Second, always have everything well secured and preferably clipped to you. If you take a tumble and a fin or a mask gets away from you, chances are you aren't going to find it.

 

[AfterDark]

I dove with a guy that used a PVC pipe cane he made. He clips it to his float while diving. It floats and works very well for him.

 

[Fin Finder]

The OP is a California diver where surf can be challenging at a lot of shore diving sites.
As a frequent So Cal shore diver, and someone who has escorted dozens of students and new divers on their first surf entries and exits, here are a few of my personal tips...

- Get through the "Breaker Zone" as quickly as possible.
- Most of the power of a wave is on the surface, so duck under.
- Have your wrist looped through your fin straps so if you fall you can't drop your fins.
- Keep your regulator in your mouth until out of the breaker zone.
- Install spring straps on your fins for getting them on and off quickly.
- During exit, watch for waves coming from behind.
- Know when to call it quits.

Paint your name and phone number on your fins, lights, and other gear. Most divers will return lost gear if they know how to make contact.

Please note, these are methods that have worked for me, and contrary methods may be just as valid for other divers.

 

[geoff w]

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.

You've gotten lots of good answers so far. The real question is if someone has difficulty with beach entries and exits, why are you going out in medium or bigger surf to begin with? When I started beach diving I was pretty much a total spaz, but a lot of it is conditioning and repetitive action - the more you do the better you get as you build up experience, skill and coordination. Part of the learning process is knowing when to call it quits and wait for another day more suited for your (or you buddy's) ability

The LA County Scuba 3R workshop is a great introduction to local shore diving that is site specific and geared toward acclimation and ocean conditions, and it's free. You missed this year's workshops but they will be held next year too.

There's no shame in crawling out of the water on all fours if the surf is too big