Cane for Shore Diving - coming off of knee surgery

[wpohlmann]

Making our 10th trip to Bonaire - love the shore diving.

BUT - just had my knee replaced in October and the other one was operated on in April - bad rollerblading fall.

I am 90% of the way recovered - but stepping over and around the dead coral and rocks when entering & leaving with the waves lightly breaking has me a bit spooked (amazing husband will carry BC & tanks in & out...).

I think if I could have a cane it would help me both physically and mentally to know that I had a bit of extra support.

Has anyone heard of something like this or have an idea of something that I can re-purpose to suit my needs. Preferably something that is retractable so I could collapse it to 12-18 inches like a real cane. Metal would be great - I would just wear less weights!!

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Leaving day after Christmas and then going back in February - truly our happy place!

 

[Rich Keller]

This is going to be a little out of the box thinking but if you were to side mount small tanks like 30 cu/ft size you could use both tanks as canes until you got into deep enough water to hook them up and swim away.

---------- Post added December 14th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ----------

A simpler way to go would be to use a 6 or 8 foot piece of rebar with a small dive flag on top. Use it as a walking staff until you are deep enough to put on your gear then just push it into the bottom to mark your egress and pick it up again on your way out.

 

[uncfnp]

Here is one discussion. Post # 6​

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/466272-bonaire-trip-report-9-14-9-21-a.html

There is at least one other good thread but I can't find it. Imorin is a good resource and even has a photo on his profile using a cane in Bonaire

Found it...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba.../487807-senior-shore-diving-bonaire-help.html

One more specific to knee issues...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/451336-who-has-easy-boat-dock-entries-exits.html​

 

[divin'dog]

I like the foldable cane idea... but can't you and hubby walk out holding each other? For difficult entries, try holding onto each other facing each other and walking sideways (crabwalk) into the surf. It is a slower but more stable way to enter than alone. I've used it once or twice with difficult entries and exits. Make sure one diver is stable as the other takes a step.

 

[diversteve]

http://www.amazon.com/Ez2care-Adjus...=8-1&keywords=folding+cane&pebp=1418572218096

 

[Max Speed]

You will need to replace the rubber tip with a little fin.

 

[cbm32]

I try to avoid shore dives due to my disability. But, I have a wooden cane that I have been able to use to walk out into deeper water and then I just shove it between my BC/dive skin and my back when in the water. When exiting I just pull it out again, kind of like taking an arrow out of a quiver on your back. Not too terribly uncomfortable once you get used to it.

 

[wpohlmann]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and links! I had never heard of the foldable canes - think that will do the trick. I ordered two today and am bringing both in case one snaps! We have a dock where we are staying and I know we will use Buddy's, but I was scared of doing even some of the easy entry dives and I think this will get me over the hump. Thank you again!!

 

[JahJahwarrior]

GoPole might fit your bill.

I've got one that has three sections, and was a good enough length when extended to help me climb down and around some steep banks around waterfalls in Hawaii.

I put a boltsnap on each end and clip it off in two places to my BC, stays out of the way until I need it, because of course it has a goPro on the end!

I was very impressed with how well it stood up to me using it as a walking stick, and how handy it was for filming with the gopro. Not as stable as a platform, but helped a lot in surge, lets you stay away from the animals.

 

[bradells]

Sounds like I'm a bit late to the thread, but telescoping hiking poles sound like they would do the trick as well.

BRad