Best way to enter water from the shore

[RXTdiver]

I'm trying to shore dive at the Outer Banks. The last 2 days the waves were too choppy so I didn't go. Today was better, but I was still surprised how hard it was, so I stopped.

When a wave would knock me over and pass over me some panic started to set it. Then I would get up and try again. I just couldn't get past the waves.

What is the best way to get past these waves? When you enter the water, should the BCD be inflated or deflated (some sources say inflated, others say deflated).

Is it a good idea to actually enter on your hands and knees?

 

[Kahuna.]

There is no one recipe right/wrong with shore entry if it is sporting. It depends on the swell, the direction the wind, the gradient of the beach/shore, the gradient of the drop-off, the substrate, the rip/current etc. etc.

Put your booties on and go play in the surf without your rig.. See how it moves you around and how you can most easily get past the froth. Then think about the decreased mobility and added weight with your rig and how that will impact what you just experienced.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The hardest lesson to learn in diving is when not to dive. If the waves are overhead, it's likely going to be poor visibility, surge, and a rough exit.

 

[happy-diver]

And if you never dive in poor conditions you will never learn anything

 

[Celt]

Shore entry is tough, just keep trying. Photo of yesterday,s shore dive. Very secluded spot but surface conditions as good as you’d get here. Lots of rock slides and steep gravel entry. I mistakenly decided to enter on the near side, the gravel just washed out from under me with every wave. Brilliant dive. 3 sailing ships lost in this area SS Radley carrying pottery and delftware, SS Scotland was carrying flint and general cargo and the SS Dunvegan with the old rumours of a paymasters chest lost.

 

[paddydiver]

If panic is setting in and you're getting knocked over going out just don't do it! Whats it going to be like for you coming out when you're tired, possibly cold and lower on air? If waves are rough at the start then there is always the possibility they will pick up during the dive.

If you're determined to try it maybe give it a go with mask, fin, snorkel and weightbelt first, without scuba. The key really is to swim as hard as you can as quick as you can to get through the surf zone. If this is major effort or energy drain without the scuba gear then let that decide for you, or if you think it was easy enough go for it.

 

[Mascottrepair]

Totally get it..surf entries can be tough, especially in choppy conditions. Maybe try entering with your BCD partially inflated so you stay buoyant but still have control. Stay low and steady—walking backward or sideways helps.

 

[34109411]

I'm trying to shore dive at the Outer Banks. The last 2 days the waves were too choppy so I didn't go. Today was better, but I was still surprised how hard it was, so I stopped.

When a wave would knock me over and pass over me some panic started to set it. Then I would get up and try again. I just couldn't get past the waves.

What is the best way to get past these waves? When you enter the water, should the BCD be inflated or deflated (some sources say inflated, others say deflated).

Is it a good idea to actually enter on your hands and knees?

go backwards the tank will break the wave. reg in your mouth when deep enough go down.

 

[icechip]

I try to get horizontal as quick as I can, even if it is wicked shallow.

 

[RXTdiver]

I tried again earlier today. This time the waves were a lot smaller. I made it past the waves so I was glad I did that.

To deal with the anxiety and panic, I decided to just float and get used to things.

I wasn't too far off shore. I came back in to the point where I can stand on the ground again. This made me feel better and more in control.

Then I decided to come back on shore. To my surprise I noticed my fins were no longer clipped to my D-ring on my BCD with one of these. I couldn't believe it. How did these come off? I didn't even try to put them on.

I bought them only two days ago. That's $120 gone and I did t get to use them.

I'm coming back to the OBX in two months so I plan on trying again.

Although this experience was very frustrating, I'm glad I kept trying, but I told myself to be concerned with only one thing at a time and take your time. As long as the regulator is in your mouth, you'll be ok.

I also put my face underwater and started to breathe a bit. I think that helped me to overcome the anxiety (exposing yourself to your fears) little by little.