Leaving the boat backwards

[diver 85]

Doing headfirst dives with full scuba gear is definitely more advanced and if someone has trouble with a giant stride, then doing a head first diving entry is probably not a good idea. I sometimes do the headfirst entry but you have to tuck you neck to protect your mask and it also drives you deep very quickly. I need to clear my ears before entry and find myself instantly at a depth of 12 feet or so doing this kind of dive.

Well, I figured everyone knew to tuck...also, giving a shoulder(& tank top) is advised too--more like a forward quick roll, ducking your head alot--like I said, I didn't know what to call it, it is much easier to do after watching someone 'do it'........but, like riding a bike, you'll probbaly fall & hurt yourself a few times before you get it right.......Thanks for the reminders, I guess I had a good teacher--or stupid one....lol.........

 

[diversteve]

I've done the front roll off a dive platform when I've needed to get off a boat in current with my video housing. An instructor on a diveboat showed me how to do it and I noticed he did most of his entries that way all week. I hold my reg/mask with my left hand and roll to my right cradling my housing against my chest with my right arm. People tell me that I roll too far because I end up on my back in about 10' of water but I like to let the tank take the "slap" when I break the surface. Also helps to pre-clear on the boat since I typically do it with very little air in my BC so I'm at 15' or so almost immediately. Really easy on the legs though.

 

[String]

If for some reason you cant giant stride i prefer to do the standing forward roll entry.

Basically stand up in similar position to giant stride but roll forward and tuck. If done properly your back/tank should tank the impact (dont jump and try to do a complete 180 in the air!). The advantage of this is you can see where you're jumping.
A variation of this is knees bent squad position before rolling which is gentler again but harder to maintain if its rough prior to entering.

Backward roll is better where you can sit on the side (tubes etc) then fall backwards, its a bit of a pita on a bouncing boat whilst squatting.

 

[eriediver2002]

Backroll outta my 28' Century sucked. Gunwale was about 5' above the water. That was a long tumble down, usually hit knees face first or facing the boat

 

[kidspot]

Loved the pics Jekyll

I have a friend that prefers a back entry because he wears freediving fins and he broke a pair of the blades doing a standard giant stride. He simply steps back and then falls backward off the boat letting the tank hit first. I tried it, but didn't like it as my mask flooded (even while holding it firmly in place).

Aloha, Tim

 

[jeckyll]

Glad you liked the pics Tim

Just for fun: My most memorable giant stride was the one where I set up, looked at the horizon, held onto my SPG, basically did every "right" only to realize, mid air, that I did in fact NOT have a reg in my mouth. I managed to get my reg, still mid air, insert and apparently it all looked pretty slick.
I felt like a dork though

 

[vel525]

To the OP, I can't imagine doing a giant stride should put any additional strain on your legs than walking. I always understood it as basically stepping off the platform, not hopping or jumping. Before trying some of the crazy shoulder first, flipping, backwards flip, etc D) entries, how about something simple like stretching a little bit before the dive?

 

[Laustimus]

Sounds like what you need to do is stretch your muscles int he morning before you go diving. Pulling your muscle over such a small thing is kinda sad.

 

[jeckyll]

Sounds like what you need to do is stretch your muscles int he morning before you go diving. Pulling your muscle over such a small thing is kinda sad.

Well I would recommend stretching, good hydration and having a banana a couple of hours before the dive. Plus realizing that it's not a long jump competition

 

[Gombessa]

Why use pictures in the age of Youtube? Pay attention to the technique demonstrated in this video, and notice how the diver (who is carrying quite a lot of gear) goes almost limp as he enters in order to prevent any possible strain on his calf muscles.