BackRoll entry??

[RJP]

More important than how to get into the water is how to get back into the boat. Make sure you work that out at the dock rather than trying to figure it out at sea.

I was about to post the same thing! I can picture some poor guy not thinking about it until the end of the dive.

 

[Budgirl]

I did my first back roll entry last week out of our 20' hydra sport and I was scared to death. I thought for sure that my fins would hang up in the boat and I would be stuck there with my legs hanging in the boat and the rest of me flopping at the surface!

Needless to say it was great and I totally cleared the boat!

 

[tommymo]

More important than how to get into the water is how to get back into the boat. Make sure you work that out at the dock rather than trying to figure it out at sea.

forgot to mention that, we plan on taking a line tied to the back cleat clip the equipment to the d ring, climb out on a ladder with fins, haul equipment out of the water.

 

[Garrobo]

When I go to Cozumel, all the boats I dive off of are fast boats with a capacity of 6 divers and a DM. All the entries are back-roll off the side of the boat and back up a ladder which the captain hangs over the side for you. If you don't want to climb the ladder with all your gear on you can take it off and the captain or someone already on the boat will lift it all up for you. I was a little worried about being able to get back on the boat with my gear a couple of months ago since I had shoulder surgery in April but actually did alright without any help. Falling off the side is my preferred way of entering since I sometimes smash Homer and his friends when doing a giant stride. I've also just turned around and fallen backwards off the end platform to protect these guys. One time I got my feet mixed up and just fell forward and did a belly-flopper. Sort of embarrassing but, being a DorkDiverand diving with a bunch of Canucks, I fit right in.

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

in Playa we did backroll entries. they are my preferred entry. very easy and fun.

 

[hudson]

The roll itself is simple. However watch out for these:

1) You have your reg in your mouth and not your snorkel
2) You don't have anything tangled
3) It's clear behind

 

[Darnold9999]

It's important that you not have any gear tangled on something on the boat before you roll off. It will stay behind - you will continue on. The consequences range from embarrassing to serious. With a giant stride gear is well away from railings cleats etc. With a back roll it is easy to wrap something around a cleat and not notice particularly if you start adding gear.

Otherwise as all have said it is dead easy - I roll off a boat with more than 4 feet of freeboard. No problems. (get the camera once I am in however)

 

[CLEAR BLUE]

Did my first (and only) backward roll in Bonaire. Very easy and not worth worrying about. I thought to myself - I'm just going to land in the water but I'm going to do that anyway....so not to worry.

 

[spectrum]

And make sure your mask strap stays put. Place your other hand on the back of your head. The roll can flip the strap up while you hold the regulator and mask. When you take your hand away, there goes your mask. Makes for a bad day.

Pete

 

[Nemrod]

The back roll was once the preferred method, not giant stride. It is the simplest entry but does not facilitate those who like to put air in their BC and float around on the surface which is why it may have fallen from favor after the advent of the BC. If you roll in and then twist to horozontal your ready to go. I have already warned you in your other thread about hauling gear back aboard and the likely result of that. I have done back rolls from inches above the water in my kayak to a dozen feet from the top of a charter boat deck--no big deal--easy and I have never hit the boat with anything including me. Good luck. N