Top Four Deep Water Entries:
1. Forward Roll
The Forward Roll is just another fun way to get off of the boat and into the water if you're bored with the giant stride. If you want to look studly, this is the entry for you. All it takes is a little tuck and jump action. Just like the giant stride, gather your hoses and gauges and hold them into your body with your left hand, hold your mask and regulator in place with your right hand, then bend over and tuck your body into a tight ball and push yourself away from the boat with your legs while staying in a ball. You will land more on your back if this is done properly and look like a seasoned diver.
2. Backward Roll
The Backward Roll can be useful when diving in more remote locations where the local dive guides use "dugout" style small boats or boats with no swim step. When the easiest way off the boat is to just roll over the side, the backward roll is your go-to entry. It's easy: check the water to make sure it is clear (of other divers), gather all dangling things (hoses, gauges, etc.) in your left hand tight to your body, hold your mask and regulator in place with your right hand, then tuck your body into a ball and roll yourself backwards.
3. The Hawaiian Flop Entry
Ok, this one is not as well-known as the first two entries but it is fun. All you do is gather your gear in the same way as the other entries, jump out more horizontally away from the boat as possible and, at the same time, rotate your body 180 degrees so that when you hit the water you're landing on your back. This entry is perfect if you need to get into the water but stay shallow doing it. If you want to look like a hard-core diver try out this entry; it's so "innovative" we couldn't even find a video of it on YouTube.
4. The Finless Entry
So, this isn't a technical "entry" per-say, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need to get into the water quickly, a "fin-less" entry may be necessary. If you are entering from a rocky cliff type area where it's almost impossible to put your fins on first, or, if the conditions are really rough and putting on your fins on the boat will just cause you to lose your balance, then try jumping into that water with your fins in your hand. This can be done with any of the above mentioned entries but the key point to remember here is make sure your BC is FULLY INFLATED FIRST! Gather all of your hoses as before and in that same left hand, over the hoses, tightly hold onto your set of fins, secure your mask and regulator with the right hand and then enter the water. Make sure your buoyancy is positive after entering the water and then proceed to put your fins on using the "figure-four" method.
With all of these new ideas on how to enter the water we hope that your next dive is even more of an exciting adventure. If you are newer to diving, you may want to practice some of these entries in a pool setting first. Now get out there and get diving!
