Shore Diving - Training?

[Mad_diver]

This is a great question, so I split it off from the Accident Analysis forum.
Rick Murchison

Another lesson, just because it's shallow doesn't mean that it safer. Diving off the shore requires another set of skills.

Yeah. But how do you get that training?
I've been searching all over the place for info specific to shore diving and have come up with very little. Aside from the few pages in PADI and YScuba books.

 

[Rick Murchison]

In the SSI curriculum we discuss shore diving entries and exits and general procedures in the classroom, and we caution new divers to seek additional training when trying something new. But unless the qual dives happen to be from shore, there's no hard requirement to deal with surf before certification.
However wise, it would be impractical if not impossible to include experience in all types of entries in the basic OW course.
We need to be more effective with that "seek additional training" thingy.
Rick

 

[Marvel]

Just a little more info: I do the bulk of my diving from the beach at my house with a max depth of about 18 feet. Typically, I am at depths of less than 15 feet when on the reef itself, which presents it's own set of challenges. Along with any current that may be present, there is also more surge to deal with & both of those can vary greatly from one day to another (heck, even from morning to evening). I usually suggest to newcomers that they add a couple of extra pounds of weight to compensate. I'm always working on my buoyancy skills when I dive the reef solo, just because it's so much more difficult to maintain at shallow depths.

 

[ScubaSarus]

of my 200+ dives most have been shore dives Ive only done 10-15 boat dives and its here in RI and CT an MA.

What a lot we have had to learn of currents, navigation, air management, venting the lungs, visability of each other, slipping on the rocks, rough surf exit and entry, and how to have some awsome dives that send you to the pub afterwards.

It takes time and usually assisted by your LDS.

Chris

 

[Walter]

I include beach diving in my OW and advanced courses. I always try to include beach dives in the OW portion of both classes.

 

[rab]

If someone isn't able to navigate the surf in just a bathing suit, then doing so with full scuba gear won't be any easier! I'm 6'2" (188cm) and about 230lbs (105kg) and there are definitely surf conditions that I can handle easily that someone smaller or not as strong would find daunting.

And, contrary to Marvel's advice, I wouldn't suggest adding weight to account for surge specifically because it tends to be more difficult to maintain buoyancy when shallow. Being overweighted just increases the buoyancy swings at the beginning of the dive.

-Rob

 

[carbon]

I received my OW certification in 2001, and the course included fairly extensive instruction for beach dives. Besides the classroom work for beach diving, we did three surf entries and exits, and two ascents and descents -- all of this counted as one of the OW dives.

I asked my LDS if they currently do beach dives as part of their OW certifications, and they said no -- all of the OW dives are now boat dives. He said that "everyone wants to get certified in a weekend" and aren't interested in devoting the time and effort for a beach dive.

The best way to train for shore diving is to find someone who is good at it, and convince then to mentor you for a few dives. As Mad Diver observed, there isn't very much in printed form about shore diving. Some of the best written material that I have found is right here on ScubaBoard. Here's one dealing with surf zones:

Graceful surf entries/exits..

PADI has the Boat Diver specialty. I wonder how long it will be before PADI introduces a Beach Diver specialty. :11:

Regards,
carbon

 

[shark.byte.usa]

SSI has a "Beach Diving" specialty course, it's not in the preprinted specialties in my Dive Log, but it taught at my LDS.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I include beach diving in my OW and advanced courses. I always try to include beach dives in the OW portion of both classes.

Ah, yes... as in real estate, "location, location and location..."
But a beach isn't available to many, so certification is without the beach entry. The question is where and how to best get the training to do beach (and other kinds of shore like the rocky surf common in CA) dives safely.
LDS?
Mentor?
Should there be yet another "specialty" (please say "no") ?
Just get out there & do it (the way it was and all too frequently is)?
Rick

 

[kelpmermaid]

but at least one LDS offers it free for those who want to follow through on additional instruction.

http://www.reefseekers.com/info_continuing_education.html