This coming summer I'm considering trying shore diving off NJ. I do have a history of some lower back problems (minor bulging disk), and am wondering if shore entries/exits are more strenuous than boat diving.
Shore Diving - lower back issues
- Thread starter Mike C
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I dont know if Jersey shore diving will be less strenuous. The worst part of boat diving in Jersey is the climb up the ladder. Perhaps you could remove your BC and tank in the water and have someone lift it onto the boat for you. Would sure make the ladder climb easy on your back.
Divers Two in Avon does weekly shore dives at the inlet that might not be too hard on you.
Saturation
Medical Moderator
If you have back issues, its best to dive only in calm water, as surf or waves adds more stress on either boat or shore diving.
Shore diving is more work as you bear the weight of your gear from the dress area, and walk a distance into the water. Then, you do it again on the return.
In boat diving, you bear weight until you can get from your chair then into the water. On return to the boat, you can optionally remove your gear and have the divemaster manhandle it back into the boat.
Shore diving is more work as you bear the weight of your gear from the dress area, and walk a distance into the water. Then, you do it again on the return.
In boat diving, you bear weight until you can get from your chair then into the water. On return to the boat, you can optionally remove your gear and have the divemaster manhandle it back into the boat.
My gf has some back problems too, so she dons and removes gear in the water, and I transport her tanks for her. Works for shore or boat if you have a willing partner/buddy.
I have lower back problems. It seems like if I sneeze wrong, I herniate a disk.
However, it's really lifting and twisting or a combination of the two that does it to me. If I'm supporting with my legs and have the right posture, I do fine. Heck, look at my avatar. I've got doubles (steel 95's) and 2 stages (a 40 and an 80) and a scooter, trudging down the beach, and my back was fine. But I kit up on a table. My gear never hits the ground, so there is no lifting. I go from truck bed to table or bench, whether on boat, beach or at home.
The key, at least for me, on beach diving is no lifting.
However, it's really lifting and twisting or a combination of the two that does it to me. If I'm supporting with my legs and have the right posture, I do fine. Heck, look at my avatar. I've got doubles (steel 95's) and 2 stages (a 40 and an 80) and a scooter, trudging down the beach, and my back was fine. But I kit up on a table. My gear never hits the ground, so there is no lifting. I go from truck bed to table or bench, whether on boat, beach or at home.
The key, at least for me, on beach diving is no lifting.
I know I had some dives early on that were just downright painful. It wasn't moving the gear on land, it was definitely the diving. I'm sure I was hyperextending my low back, and I'm still not sure why. But I think it had to do with where the tank was sitting, and where my weights were. Once I moved to a backplate and had less weight around my waist, and moved the tanks further up on my back, the pain went away.
Right up until I started using my scooter, and then it came back in spades. Turns out I need to keep my feet really inflated to avoid back pain while scootering.
Right up until I started using my scooter, and then it came back in spades. Turns out I need to keep my feet really inflated to avoid back pain while scootering.
A giant stride or roll off entry from the boat causes no trouble. It's ladders with the weight or walking any distance that causes her back pain. Shore entries are so much easier for her if I carry the tank in and out, and we have had no problem getting boat crews to let her remove the tank in water and pass it up.
I agree no lifting is the key. I sometimes find boat dives tougher on my back. You gear up and while you're waiting for the diver in front of you to jump off the boat may be pitching and yawing and the odd motion can be a little tough on the back. Sometimes you have to lift gear a little more on a boat than gearing up for a shore dive on a table at the right height.
It, as with most things, depends on the boat and on the shore dive (entry).
Before I learned better, I used to surface swim on my stomach and this was hard on the back since I wasn't really underwater and the heavy weightbelt was tough on my back. Surface swims on my back are fine however.
It, as with most things, depends on the boat and on the shore dive (entry).
Before I learned better, I used to surface swim on my stomach and this was hard on the back since I wasn't really underwater and the heavy weightbelt was tough on my back. Surface swims on my back are fine however.
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