Andrew Pace
Scuba divers often opt to enter the water backwards, a technique known as the 'backward roll'. This method is usually employed on small, unstable boats, or when the entry platform is limited. The backward roll is considered the safest and easiest way to enter the water, as it minimises the risk of injury and allows divers to maintain control of their gear. By entering the water backwards, divers ensure that their heavy tank hits the water first, which can reduce the impact and potential damage to their mask, regulator and other equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Avoiding injury or damage to the diver and their equipment |
| Preventing the boat from rocking and causing other divers to fall | |
| Preventing equipment from falling | |
| Control | Keeping a hand on the gear to prevent it from slipping off or getting tangled |
| Keeping the mask on and preventing it from getting filled with water | |
| Keeping control of loose hoses and attachments | |
| Stabilising the boat | |
| Preventing the tank from hitting the side of the boat | |
| Practicality | Easier entry into the water for the human body |
| More suitable for small boats |
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What You'll Learn
- To protect their diving gear, especially their mask and fins
- To enter the water more smoothly, minimising the rocking motion for others on board
- To avoid landing on their face, head or front first, which could be painful with the extra weight of gear
- To keep their gauges and regulator in place, preventing them from getting tangled
- To maintain better control over their equipment and keep a hold of their facemask
To protect their diving gear, especially their mask and fins
Scuba divers typically perform a backward roll when entering the water from a boat to protect their diving gear, especially their mask and fins. This technique is often used on small boats, such as RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) or service boats, where there is limited space to move around. By sitting on the edge of the boat with their gear already on and their fins hanging over the edge, divers are able to lean back and enter the water smoothly, reducing the impact on both themselves and their equipment.
The backward roll technique helps to protect the mask from becoming dislodged or filled with water, which could obscure the diver's vision and cause discomfort or panic. It also prevents the mask strap from becoming loose, reducing the risk of the diver bumping their head on the tank cylinder's valve. Additionally, this technique helps to keep the fins secure and prevents them from hitting the water first, which could damage them and potentially injure the diver.
To perform a backward roll, divers first ensure that their gear is secure and ready for the dive. They then sit on the edge of the boat, facing inwards, with their ankles crossed to keep their legs together during entry. The right hand is placed on the regulator to stabilize it, while the left hand holds loose hoses or attachments. After checking that the water behind is clear of any hazards or other divers, the diver tucks their chin towards their chest and falls backward into the water.
This technique not only protects the diving gear but also minimizes the rocking motion of the boat, ensuring a safer and smoother entry for everyone on board. It is a preferred method of entering the water, especially when multiple divers are entering from a small boat simultaneously. The backward roll allows divers to maintain control over their equipment and enter the water gracefully and efficiently.
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To enter the water more smoothly, minimising the rocking motion for others on board
When divers enter the water backwards, they minimise the rocking motion for others on board. This is especially important for smaller boats with a low centre of gravity, as a few divers standing on the gunwale (the top edge of the hull) will unbalance the boat. By entering the water backwards, divers reduce the impact of their entry, thereby minimising the rocking motion for everyone else on board.
The backward roll entry technique is also known as the "back roll entry" or "backward roll". Divers use this method to protect the integrity of their diving gear and because it is an easier entry into the water for the human body. This technique is usually used on small boats, such as RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) or service boats (tenders), or from any watercraft whose gunwale is both close to the water or not particularly stable.
The backward roll is also a safer method of entering the water for divers. If a diver were to enter the water headfirst or feet first, there is a higher risk of impact that could potentially knock loose gauges, regulators, or other essential gear. The backward roll allows divers to keep a hand on their gear for control and prevent it from slipping off or getting tangled.
The backward roll is also a more comfortable method of entering the water for divers. When a diver has a large heavy tank on their back, entering the water head or front first can be painful. With a back-roll entry, the tank itself breaks the water surface, allowing the diver to enter the water more smoothly.
In addition to the backward roll, there are other entry techniques that divers can use to enter the water safely. One such technique is the "giant stride", which is typically used on larger boats and yachts that are specially outfitted for scuba diving and have stable dive platforms. With this technique, divers keep a hand on their regulator and mask as they prepare to step off the boat, checking the water for any obstacles and ensuring their step is large enough to avoid hitting the side of the boat with their tank. Another technique is the "seated entry", which involves sitting on the gunwale and then turning around to face the boat as you lift yourself over the edge.
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To avoid landing on their face, head or front first, which could be painful with the extra weight of gear
Scuba divers often enter the water backwards, using a technique known as the "back roll entry". This technique is particularly useful when diving from a small boat, such as a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or a tender, which sits close to the water.
The back roll entry is a safer way to enter the water when wearing scuba gear. Divers wear a heavy tank on their back, which makes them top-heavy. If a diver were to enter the water headfirst or feet first, the impact of the water could be painful, especially with the extra weight of the gear. It could also cause their mask to shatter or slip off, or their tank valve to hit the back of their head. By entering the water backwards, the tank itself breaks the water surface, allowing the diver to enter the water more smoothly and safely.
The back roll entry also helps to protect the integrity of the diver's gear. It allows divers to keep a hand on their gear, preventing it from slipping off or getting tangled. It also helps to keep their gauges and
In addition, the back roll entry helps to minimise the rocking motion of the boat. If divers were to jump off the boat, this could cause the boat to rock unsteadily, potentially causing other divers to fall or equipment to be damaged. By entering the water backwards, divers can minimise this movement, which is especially important when multiple divers are entering the water from a small boat at the same time.
Overall, the back roll entry is a safer and more efficient way for divers with scuba gear to enter the water, helping to protect both the divers and their equipment.
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To keep their gauges and regulator in place, preventing them from getting tangled
When divers enter the water backwards, they can keep their gauges and regulators in place, preventing them from getting tangled. This is because, when entering the water headfirst or forward, there is a higher risk of impact that could knock gauges, regulators, or other essential gear loose. This could lead to equipment malfunctions or even loss of some equipment.
The backward roll entry technique allows divers to keep a hand on their gear for control and prevent it from slipping off or getting tangled. It also reduces weight on the diver's shoulders, as they don't have to carry the weight of their gear when jumping in the water. This makes diving easier, as scuba gear is not the most comfortable thing to wear, and it can be difficult to walk around in fins.
The backward roll is also safer for the diver's body. When diving, one has a large, heavy tank on their back, and if they hit the water head or face-first, they could hurt themselves with the extra weight of the gear. This is why the backward roll is often used when divers are on an unstable platform or the edge of a boat. It helps them maintain an upright position, making it easier to stay balanced and avoid any unnecessary topside movements.
There are alternative entry methods, such as the giant stride, which is used on larger boats and yachts with stable dive platforms. This method requires the diver to keep a hand on their regulator and mask and check the water for any obstacles before taking a large step forward into the water. The seated entry method involves sitting on the gunwale, placing your legs over the side, and holding onto the side of the boat. The diver then turns around, so they are facing the boat as they lift themselves over the edge.
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To maintain better control over their equipment and keep a hold of their facemask
When divers go off boats backwards, they are usually performing what is known as the "backward roll entry technique". This technique is commonly used when diving from smaller boats, such as RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats), dinghies, or rigid-hulled vessels, which have limited space for standing.
The backward roll is a straightforward and safe method of entering the water. It helps divers maintain better control over their equipment and keep a hold of their facemask. By sitting on the edge of the boat with their back to the water, divers can use one hand to hold their mask and regulator in place, preventing them from being dislodged upon entry. This is especially important for protecting fragile equipment such as the mask, snorkel, and regulator.
Additionally, the backward roll technique allows gravity to naturally move the diver into the water without the risk of tripping or losing balance. It also reduces the risk of the tank hitting the diver's head. This is particularly important when wearing bulky and cumbersome diving gear, as it helps to prevent injuries and damage to equipment.
Furthermore, the backward roll entry is space-efficient and helps to stabilise the boat. When multiple divers are entering the water, the backward roll minimises the rocking motion for those still on board. This technique is simple to perform, even for beginner divers, and ensures a smooth and controlled entry into the water.
Overall, the backward roll entry technique is a safe and effective method for divers to maintain better control over their equipment, protect their gear, and keep a hold of their facemask when entering the water from a boat.
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