Entry & Surface Skills:
Start and End Every Dive with Confidence
Getting in and out of the water is part of every dive. These core entry and surface skills keep you safe, stable, and comfortable whether you are diving from shore, a dock, or a boat.
Giant Stride Entry
- Most common deep water entry from boats, docks, and level platforms.
- Secure mask and regulator with one hand and control loose gear with the other.
- Look at the horizon, take a confident wide step, and enter upright with feet slightly apart.
- After surfacing, confirm you are truly OK, signal, and clear the entry area.
Seated Controlled Entry
- Stable, low-splash method for pools, docks, and calm conditions
- Gear and buddy checks before sitting at the edge
- Controlled pivot into the water while breathing from your reg
- Signal “OK” and clear space for the next diver after entry
Shore Diving Entry
- Always check surf, tide, and bottom composition before entering
- Choose the right technique: walk, side shuffle, crawl, or backwards
- Plan your exit before you start the dive
- Move slowly to avoid slips, stirred-up silt, or surf knockdowns
Using a Snorkel
- Best for calm water and long surface swims
- Not recommended in chop, swell, or boat environments
- Regulator is always the safer breathing option at the surface
- If you bring one, keep it compact and practice clearing it
Using Your BCD at the Surface
- Inflate before descent and after surfacing to stay buoyant
- Practice oral inflation in case of inflator failure
- Keep your regulator in until you are fully out of the water
- Avoid overinflation which can make you unstable or drift
Tired Diver Tow
- Establish positive buoyancy first
- Keep both divers on their own regulators
- Use tank valve tow for control, underarm tow for closer support, or push tow for efficiency in calm water
- Signal for help early if progress is slow
Exiting the Water
- Keep your mask on and regulator in until you are fully out
- Exit ladders one diver at a time and with three points of contact
- Plan shore exits around wave timing and footing
- For RIBs and small boats, hand up gear first before climbing in