How to enter and exit the water safely is super important for every diver. Whether you’re diving from a big boat or a small one, knowing the right way to move helps you stay safe and keep your gear in place. Let’s learn how to do that in the right way.
Before You Splash
Every scuba diver should always remember that safety always comes first. Listen carefully to the predive briefing that the boat crew or divemaster provide to you. This should include how to enter and exit the water safely, emergency signals and any rules related to the boat.
Pay close attention to the designated entry points of the boat, ladder locations as well as reboarding procedures. If you have any question, now is the right time to ask!
Ensure you have prepared and streamlined your BCD. You should also ensure to turn on your gas, tuck in your hoses, straps your secured and adjust your weights. Remember loose items like your fins, mask and SMB. Check the setup of your buddy too. A predive safety check should be your second nature.
While approaching the dive site, don your equipment (remembering to remove the bungee or rope securing your tank) and listen to the crew’s instructions.
Some boats require you to wear your mask and fins early; others prefer you gear up right before entry. Regardless, hold onto something and watch your balance while standing up and moving forward.
How to Safely Enter the Water
To choose the best method to enter the water by often depends on both the boat and the conditions of the sea. Giant stride entries are the best entry method for larger boats, while back-roll entries are suitable for small vessels such as RIBs.
Giant Stride Entry
At first, stand at the edge of the dive platform with your tord so that the blades of your fins are off the platform, then inflate the BCD. Scan the water below to see if there are other divers or obstacles.
After wearing your mask, reg in place using one hand and ensure to secure any loose equipment with the other. Take a confident step forward, and once you are in the water, conduct an “OK” signal to the crew and clear the entry point.
Back-Roll Entry
On the edge of the dive boat, sit in a way that your back be to the water, hang your tank over the edge, and inflate your BCD. Scan the water below to see if there are any other divers or obstacles.
Hold your mask and reg in place using one hand. Ensure to secure any loose equipment with the other. Tuck your chin, lean back and leave yourself to the gravity! Once you become in the water, conduct an “OK” signal to the crew and clear the entry point.
Related Reading: How to Book a Safe Liveaboard Trip
How to Safely Exit the Water
Exiting the water and turning back on the boat is considered the most physically demanding part in the dive—especially when scuba diving in choppy seas or strong currents.
If Your Boat Has a Ladder
After surfacing, Inflate your BCD and keep your SMB deployed till the boat arrives. Try to grab a tow line if possible and pull yourself along. You can also swim toward the boat instead and grab the lines placed along the dive boat.
Stay away from the ladder and propeller while waiting for other divers to fully board before approaching. This step is important to avoid having a heavy propeller blade or an off-balance diver landing on you in rough water!
While waiting your turn in climbing the ladder, keep wearing your mask and reg in. Make the most use of this time in storing loose items. When it is your turn to board, use both your hands to climb up slowly.
When carrying extra equipment or a camera, hand it up first. Some boats contain open “Christmas tree” ladders, which can be used with fins. Instead of that, try to hand up your fins as well.
Exiting Without a Ladder
RIBs don’t often have ladders. In this case: Take off and hand your dive equipment to the crew from the water. If there are any small items, secure them and keep wearing your fins and mask.
As the RIB falls with the wave, push yourself slightly underwater to be able to use buoyancy to generate upward momentum. Hold onto the side of the RIP and let it pull you up as it rises. As the RIB falls once more, try to pull yourself up over the side.
Mastering safe entries and exits from dive boats isn’t just about technique—it’s about being aware of your environment, your equipment and your fellow divers. Practice makes perfect, and when in doubt, ask for help!
