how to get in and out of nasty surf

[Gabriel90512]

Gabriel, Do you still plan on trying Folly in the AM?

yeah me and my DB are going to be there @ about 1o to 10:15

did you want to join us ?

if it sucks there we will go to back beach

 

[Hank49]

if all comes to all, as a very last resort, take off your bc, inflate it, and let the tide bring it in, you should be able to get it pretty easy that way..note i said last resort!! only had to do it once, but it worked, imade sure to tuck the regs in safley though...

Be quick to follow your floating bcd if you take it off. Where there are large waves, there is a rip tide near taking water....and floating bcds, back out to sea.
Choose your exit spot and avoid rocks. You can get seriously banged up in 3-5 foot (Hawaiin measuring system here...measure from the back of the wave and five feet is a BIG face) It's hard enough with just a surfboard or even just fins much less all the heavy dive gear. Find a sandy beach, stay on the bottom and crawl into shore.

 

[mossym]

Be quick to follow your floating bcd if you take it off. Where there are large waves, there is a rip tide near taking water....and floating bcds, back out to sea.
Choose your exit spot and avoid rocks. You can get seriously banged up in 3-5 foot (Hawaiin measuring system here...measure from the back of the wave and five feet is a BIG face) It's hard enough with just a surfboard or even just fins much less all the heavy dive gear. Find a sandy beach, stay on the bottom and crawl into shore.

yeah should have said that...the bach i did it on is monastery in Monterey, CA, the waves break about 3 feet from shore, so it was easier for me to make sure it went out too..nothing like seeing your bcd floating off to hawaii!!! ( i would guess...thankfully )..still a lost bcd is better than a lost diver!!!!

 

[ShakaZulu]

Don't take off your BC, keep your reg in your mouth and crawl in/out on your hands/knees during heavy surf conditions.

 

[mossym]

Don't take off your BC, keep your reg in your mouth and crawl in/out on your hands/knees during heavy surf conditions.

that's obviously first choice...done it..like i said..last resort...i saw a guy on his hands and knees get picked up by a wave, and couldn't get control again, his buddy, in full gear, was in no position to help him...only for the fact that there were 2 divers in wetsuits only standing on the beach he was in BIG trouble, i'm not recommending taking off your bcd, but if all comes to all and you have to get out of the water

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I must repeat that the safest thing to do is avoid the heavy surf. If the 'surf comes up' while you are diving, that's one thing but to intentionally enter hazardous conditions just to dive is, IMNSHO, not too smart.

If you can't find a sheltered ocean site, head inland and dive a lake or pond.

Rather than risk a pounding, I am planning on driving about 2 hours Sunday afternoon to dive in a lake. No need to rinse gear afterwards .... I'll be happy.

G_M

 

[ShakaZulu]

I think there is definately a market for a lift/pully system to take divers in/out of popular shore dives............

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I think there is definately a market for a lift/pully system to take divers in/out of popular shore dives............

Just use Trimix ... the helium will allow you to float to shore

 

[Gabriel90512]

I must repeat that the safest thing to do is avoid the heavy surf. If the 'surf comes up' while you are diving, that's one thing but to intentionally enter hazardous conditions just to dive is, IMNSHO, not too smart.

If you can't find a sheltered ocean site, head inland and dive a lake or pond.

Rather than risk a pounding, I am planning on driving about 2 hours Sunday afternoon to dive in a lake. No need to rinse gear afterwards .... I'll be happy.

G_M

what are some good lakes to dive in MA .. i know i want to dive Newfound lake in NH .. but what are some nice MA lakes?
or maybe a good Quary ?

gabe

 

[waterkitty]

:lol2:

On returning from my OW cert dives the surf was pretty bad. The process went something like this:

Extend one hand above your head to help detect large rocks that have the mistaken belief that they might make a good hat.

Use your second hand to hold your regulator in place.

Use your third hand to hold your mask in place.

As the surf washes you toward shore, feel for a big rock to hang on to (you won't be able to look for one, as the surf is creating a 'low-vis' area)

Grip the large rock with both hands until your knuckles turn white.

As the surf tries to wash you back out, kick like mad and do your best to hold on to the rock.

There is a slight pause between outgoing and ingoing. Use the pause to try to gather your wits.

As the surf tries to wash you in, repeat the process.

Once you roll up on shore, do your best roll/scramble to get above the high-water mark.

Try to contain the worst of the bleeding.

Wander up and down the beach collecting the fins, knife, sausage, whistle, swimsuit... that were attached really well to your person at the beginning of the dive.