entering water without fins

[jonesbf]

I prefer to have my hands free and be ready to go when I hit the water.

 

[Guba]

A lot of my diving is in an area in which the boat is moored, yet there is often quite a bit of current. For that reason, sidelines and long (250 foot) taglines are used from the stern. Entering without fins would be courting disaster. Should a diver accidentally lose the sideline while putting on fins will put him/her a LONG ways from the boat before they have effective propulsion to get to the tagline.
If I'm diving in these conditions, naturally I put on fins first, and I do this on most boat dives regardless of whether they are drift or moored. In lakes, quarries, etc...where entrances may be on slick ladders or rocks, I will wait to put on fins in the water.

 

[lucybuykx]

Having seen the hash some folk make of moving around in fins NovaSS might have a point. Some times you have to walk down the boat and then stand on a platform before giant striding. On those occasions I am all for leaving fins until last minute but still before you jump in.

Shore diving is completely different. They dont go on until I am waist deep and able to use them.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

It really just depends. If you have proper diving skills and education your only limited by policy and common sense. If the captain let me, I could go head first over the rail with no air in my BCD and fins in hand. I would be the one waiting for the duck walking bouyant BCD diver that hit the water at the same time as me.

My experience is that most charters are putting fins on at the swim step, so no duck walk. If you've never tried it, a giant stride with no fins is really easy and putting fins on in the water is pretty easy for most. Remember, there are no dive police, dive within your personal comfort zone.

 

[Turtleguy9]

Aloha, yes this is a just depends kind of answer. If its a flat calm day, with no current, sure put the fins on in the water. I have seen too many folks fall down as they shuffled toward the stern of the boat.
For Beach dives? Sure, it beats tripping over an unexpected rock on your way out. Just be ready to slap those fins on when its time
Turtleguy9

 

[Humble older aquaman]

Would echo the observations that it depends. Different boats, captains, environments, abilities say do it this way or that.

I've not only not had fins on when I went in the water, I've not had the fins! Some of my most productive days have been finless. Clearly not right for many dives (probably most) but sometimes, walking on the bottom is better than swimming just above it.

Hoa!

 

[lazyturtle]

Shore dives are a different matter for me. On the very rare occasions im forced to do such an unrewarding task i walk in carrying my fins, wait until im comfortably floating and then fit them.

String: You my friend, need a trip to someplace that has great shore diving (Bonaire is a good one). I used to HATE shore diving, but now I can't get enough! If you have a good site(s) the convience of having a dive site available 24 hours a day is fantastic! I used to live on the North Shore (Hawaii) and had a great shore dive on my way home from work that I went on most days (yes on my way home from work at a dive shop!)
Just imagine: go where you want, dive as long as you want, start and finish when you want, you're always 'one time', it's essentially dive freedom!

As far as this post goes I feel you should always get in the water 100% ready to dive. What happens if you drop your fins? Current? Emergency? How about if while putting on your fins you drop your mask? On boat dives I carry my fins to the entry point and put them on there, unless it's a drift dive (where everyone in the group is 100% ready before anyone goes). Shore diving I get in to about waist deep then put them on, unless it's rough.

 

[lazyturtle]

If the captain let me, I could go head first over the rail with no air in my BCD and fins in hand. I would be the one waiting for the duck walking bouyant BCD diver that hit the water at the same time as me.....

Ahh good times......I miss our trips out to the Mahi!

 

[String]

Just imagine: go where you want, dive as long as you want, start and finish when you want, you're always 'one time', it's essentially dive freedom!

You just described a boat. We launch it, decide on the site and time, go to the site, kit up, roll off it, straight down to the wreck. When finished dsmb up and when you hit the surface boat is waiting. Climb back on, get coffee. Repeat as needed.

Shore dives just involve lots more effort for a far less interesting dive. Certainly here there are no decent wrecks within 1 mile of a shore diving entry spot.

 

[altitudemike]

If i'm shore diving the only thing I put on before I get in the water is my wetsuit & boots. I walk in chest deep with my BC/fins ect & put it on there. It's way easier.