Scuba Diving club,
Southern California
Beach
diving entry and exits
By Jeff Shipley
We all need to be reminded of the occasional hazards
of beach diving. The surf is our enemy
when it is running high. Upon
approaching the beach, the first thing to do is to assess the conditions. If the waves are too high, enjoy the day and
stay out of the water or if you are so inclined—Go Surfing 
. Too many divers have spoiled there day by
trying to be too “macho”!!
If you do decide that the
surf is not too bad for you, then you must study the patterns of the
waves. Waves have a definite sequence
that is a high portion, then a low portion.
This is almost always a repeating pattern. Time your entry so that you will be entering just as it starts to
go into the low pattern. A study of the
area will probably indicate that a current is running into and out of the
beach. For every wave that brings water
in, there is one that takes it out. Try
to determine where the current is going out, this should be your entry. Find the incoming current and this will be
where you should be coming in.
Preparation for beach diving
gear should be a big factor. You must
have heavier weights! This is so you
can dive under the waves and stay on the bottom to clear the surf line. Failure to do this will cause you to fight
the surf and often you will lose. Even
if you are able to swim on top of the surf, this will tire you out to the point
that you have no energy for the dive!
Also you must have a very good compass.
This is so you can navigate out past the surf line on the bottom to get
past the surf line. You often can use
the ripples in the sand if it is a sandy bottom, but they do not always lead
you back in where you want to be.
And last you must have a
good BC to allow you to be on top for your return. It is essential to be on the top of the waves when you
return! Remember, you should be
entering where the current is coming back to the beach. Also, you must select the best timing to be
at the low ebb of the surf, so it will not pound you into the sand on the
beach.
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Posted September 16, 2003