Posted by Other Ben on October 03, 2000 at 08:50:32:
In Reply to: Re: Beach diving entry techniques posted by RAP on October 02, 2000 at 18:35:31:
Holding onto your buddy is the way it is taught by PADI
and if memory serves is in both the Openwater and Advanced manuals.
The advantage to this technique is that not only does it give more
stability to the two people trying to walk backwards in fins, while at
the same time looking over their shoulders, but it also allows
you to help your buddy up (or him to help you!) if you fall down.
I didn't go into much detail in my description like a few others,
but beach diving of course, is very dependent on conditions. In
southern california, especially, the surf zone is often very wide
and therefore, you cannot walk through it and then turn on your back
or snorkel out, as one popular technique goes. This technique works
best for short surf zones near the beach. For many beachbreaks, though
sometimes the only way to get out is to get underwater ASAP and go under
the surf. Swimming on my back or even at the surface in 8 feet of water
with 4 foot breaking swell isn't my idea of a graceful entry.