Water entry, step by step

In short

A good dive starts well before you go underwater. Preparing your equipment without rushing, checking it with your buddy, listening to the briefing and then entering the water with the right technique prevent most of the small problems at the start of a dive. This guide follows the order of events, from assembling your cylinder to climbing back on board. The exact procedures depend on the site, the boat and the dive supervisor's instructions.

Why it matters

The start of a dive concentrates many difficulties for a beginner: heat in the wetsuit, a rolling boat, stress, unfamiliar equipment, ears to equalize. A slip (cylinder closed, weights badly attached, mask badly fitted) is often discovered at the worst moment, in the water. Methodical preparation lets you start the dive calm and confident, and enjoy what you came to see.

Preparing your equipment

Get ready early, in the shade if possible, and always in the same order:

1. Cylinder: check that it is filled and, for Nitrox, analysed. Attach the BCD strap at the right height (valve level with the back of your neck) and tighten it firmly.
2. Regulator: check the O-ring, fit the first stage on the valve, with the primary second-stage hose on the right in most configurations. Open the cylinder slowly and fully.
3. Pressure: read the pressure gauge and remember the value. Breathe from the primary regulator and from the octopus while watching the gauge: the needle must not move.
4. Inflator: inflate the BCD, check that it holds air, then test the dump valves.
5. Weighting: it depends on your wetsuit, the cylinder and the water (fresh or salt). Ask your instructor for advice and note the weighting that suits you in your logbook. Check that the belt buckle opens easily with one hand.
6. The rest: mask (with anti-fog), snorkel if used, fins, dive computer and watch, surface marker buoy, gloves and hood depending on the temperature.

On a boat, strap or lay down your cylinder as soon as it is assembled: a falling cylinder can injure someone and damage the valve.

Listening to the briefing

The briefing by the dive supervisor or the guide presents the site, the conditions (current, visibility, temperature), the maximum depth and time, the route, the dive teams, the signals and the procedure if you lose your team. It also specifies the order and technique of water entry. Do not gear up during the briefing: listen to all of it and ask your questions.

The buddy check

Just before entering the water, each diver checks the other's equipment. Each organisation has its own memory aid; here is a simple version:

Item	What you check
BCD	It inflates and dumps, straps are fastened
Air	Cylinder fully open, enough pressure, both second stages breathe
Weights	In place, the buckle opens with one hand
Mask	In place or within reach, fins on at the right moment
Computer	Switched on, set to the right mix, watch ready

English-speaking divers often use the acronym BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK) or variants: what matters is not forgetting anything.

Entry techniques

Back roll entry

Used from inflatable boats and small boats. Sitting on the edge, with your back to the water:

1. BCD slightly inflated, regulator in your mouth, one hand on your mask and regulator, the other holding the hoses or the back of the mask.
2. Check behind you that the area is clear (no divers, no objects).
3. Tuck your chin in and roll backwards in one decisive movement.
4. Surface, give the OK signal, then clear the entry area.

Precaution: roll at the skipper's or guide's signal, often all together or side by side so as not to unbalance the boat.

Giant stride entry

Used from higher boats, platforms or quays:

1. BCD inflated, regulator in your mouth, one hand on your mask and regulator, the other on your belt or hoses.
2. Look straight ahead and check that the area is clear.
3. Take a big step forward, legs apart, without jumping upwards. Your legs close as they hit the water and slow you down.
4. OK signal, then clear the area.

Do not look down at your fins: the cylinder would tip your body forward.

From the shore or a beach

• In calm, shallow water: walk backwards or sideways with your fins on, or put them on in waist-deep water.
• With waves: cross the surf zone quickly, regulator in your mouth and BCD slightly inflated, holding on to your buddy if needed.
• Rocks and quays: scout the entry and exit points before gearing up; beware of slippery surfaces.

Via a ladder or a platform

Some boats and sites have a ladder. Climb down facing the ladder, then slide in or take a giant stride as instructed.

After entering the water

1. Give the OK signal to the boat or the guide, then move away from the entry area.
2. Gather your team at the surface, at the indicated point (buoy, mooring line, stern of the boat).
3. Do a final check: no bubbles escaping from your buddy's valve or regulator, mask in place, computer running.
4. Descend together, at the guide's signal: dump air from your BCD and breathe out to sink.
5. Control your descent: preferably feet first, equalizing your ears from the surface and every metre, before you feel any discomfort. If needed, stop or go up a metre. Breathe out through your nose into your mask.
6. Get neutrally buoyant at the bottom or at the planned depth before starting the exploration.

Getting out of the water

• After the safety stop, ascend slowly and surface looking up, with one hand above your head.
• Inflate your BCD at the surface and stay together; give the OK signal.
• At the boat's ladder: wait your turn at a distance, never under the ladder. Take off your fins once your hand is on the ladder (or as instructed), keep your mask and regulator in place until you are on board.
• Inflatable boat: you often hand your weights and then your cylinder to the skipper before climbing in with a fin kick. Follow their instructions.
• Propeller: never approach the stern of a motor boat with the engine running; the skipper comes to you.

Common mistakes

Mistake	How to avoid it
Cylinder closed or only partly open	Open it fully and check by breathing while watching the gauge
Loose cylinder strap	Wet the strap before tightening and check it during the buddy check
Weights forgotten or badly secured	Include them in the buddy check
Leaking or fogging mask	Anti-fog, hair out of the seal, try it before the dive
Descending too fast	Descend feet first, equalize early, stay close to the guide
Rushing	Get ready early and do not let yourself be hurried

Key takeaways

• Prepare your equipment early, always in the same order.
• Listen to the whole briefing before gearing up.
• Do a buddy check before every dive.
• Check that the area is clear before rolling back or stepping in.
• Equalize your ears from the surface and descend slowly.

Further reading

With the app, start recording the session on the watch before entering the water, or enable automatic start on immersion in the settings. Check the activity mode (scuba diving) and, if relevant, the gas mix before gearing up: they are fixed when recording starts. The session then appears in your logbook.