Ocean Scuba Dive
  • Scuba Gear
    • Scuba Gear Packages
    • Scuba Diving Suits
      • Best Scuba Wetsuits
      • Best Womens Wetsuit
      • Best Scuba Drysuits
      • Best Rash Guards
    • Best Scuba Gloves
    • Best Dive Boots
    • Best Water Socks
    • Best Diving Hoods
    • Scuba Diving Masks
      • Best Scuba Masks
      • Best Full Face Masks
      • Best Prescription Masks
    • Best Scuba Regulators
    • Best Scuba BCDs
    • Best Diving Fins
      • Best Scuba Fins
      • Best Freediving Fins
  • Dive Accessories
    • Best Dry Snorkels
    • Best Dive Computers
    • Best Pressure Gauges
    • Best Dive Compass
    • Best Dive Weights
    • Best Dive Lights
    • Best Dive Knives
    • Scuba Diving Cameras
      • Best Underwater Drone
      • Best Underwater Cameras
      • Best Action Cameras
      • Best GoPro Accessories
      • Best GoPro Filters
    • Best Diving Bags
      • Best Scuba Gear Bags
      • Best Dry Bags
    • Best Marine Binoculars
  • Scuba Skills
    • Scuba Hand Signals
    • Buoyancy Control
    • Tips on Saving Air
    • Using a Dive Compass
    • Pre-Dive Weight Check
    • UW Photography Guide
    • Dive Buddy Separation
    • Types of BCD
    • Guide to Night Diving
    • Reasons to Become a Diver
  • Learn
    • What SCUBA Stands For
    • How to Get Certified
    • How Do Regulators Work?
    • How does a BCD work?
    • How Should a Wetsuit Fit?
    • How Do Snorkels Work?
    • How Does a Wetsuit Work?
    • How to Deploy a SMB
    • What is Mask Squeeze?
    • What Is a Dive Computer?
  • Liveaboards
    • Galapagos Liveaboards
    • Liveaboard vs Scuba Resort
    • Raja Ampat Liveaboards
    • Croatia Liveaboards
    • Similan Liveaboards
    • Komodo Liveaboards
    • Maldives Liveaboards
  • Best Dive Spots
    • Winter Dive Destinations
    • Snorkeling Destinations
    • Sipadan Island
    • Manta Ray Night Dive
    • Best Wreck Dives
      • SS Thistlegorm Wreck
      • USS Liberty Shipwreck
      • SS Yongala Ship Wreck
  • Best Ocean Gifts
    • Best Scuba Diver Gifts
    • Best Shark Gifts
    • Best Turtle Gifts
    • Best Jellyfish Gifts
    • Best Octopus Gifts
    • Best Dolphin Gifts
    • Best Manatee Gifts
    • Best Beach Ornaments
    • Best Valentine Gifts
  • Project Ocean
    • Best Reef Safe Sunscreen
    • Best Ocean Documentaries
    • Help Save our Oceans
    • What Is Coral Bleaching?
    • Guide to Using Sunscreen
  • Earnings Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
Ocean Scuba Dive
Banner
  • Scuba Gear
    • Scuba Gear Packages
    • Scuba Diving Suits
      • Best Scuba Wetsuits
      • Best Womens Wetsuit
      • Best Scuba Drysuits
      • Best Rash Guards
    • Best Scuba Gloves
    • Best Dive Boots
    • Best Water Socks
    • Best Diving Hoods
    • Scuba Diving Masks
      • Best Scuba Masks
      • Best Full Face Masks
      • Best Prescription Masks
    • Best Scuba Regulators
    • Best Scuba BCDs
    • Best Diving Fins
      • Best Scuba Fins
      • Best Freediving Fins
  • Dive Accessories
    • Best Dry Snorkels
    • Best Dive Computers
    • Best Pressure Gauges
    • Best Dive Compass
    • Best Dive Weights
    • Best Dive Lights
    • Best Dive Knives
    • Scuba Diving Cameras
      • Best Underwater Drone
      • Best Underwater Cameras
      • Best Action Cameras
      • Best GoPro Accessories
      • Best GoPro Filters
    • Best Diving Bags
      • Best Scuba Gear Bags
      • Best Dry Bags
    • Best Marine Binoculars
  • Scuba Skills
    • Scuba Hand Signals
    • Buoyancy Control
    • Tips on Saving Air
    • Using a Dive Compass
    • Pre-Dive Weight Check
    • UW Photography Guide
    • Dive Buddy Separation
    • Types of BCD
    • Guide to Night Diving
    • Reasons to Become a Diver
  • Learn
    • What SCUBA Stands For
    • How to Get Certified
    • How Do Regulators Work?
    • How does a BCD work?
    • How Should a Wetsuit Fit?
    • How Do Snorkels Work?
    • How Does a Wetsuit Work?
    • How to Deploy a SMB
    • What is Mask Squeeze?
    • What Is a Dive Computer?
  • Liveaboards
    • Galapagos Liveaboards
    • Liveaboard vs Scuba Resort
    • Raja Ampat Liveaboards
    • Croatia Liveaboards
    • Similan Liveaboards
    • Komodo Liveaboards
    • Maldives Liveaboards
  • Best Dive Spots
    • Winter Dive Destinations
    • Snorkeling Destinations
    • Sipadan Island
    • Manta Ray Night Dive
    • Best Wreck Dives
      • SS Thistlegorm Wreck
      • USS Liberty Shipwreck
      • SS Yongala Ship Wreck
  • Best Ocean Gifts
    • Best Scuba Diver Gifts
    • Best Shark Gifts
    • Best Turtle Gifts
    • Best Jellyfish Gifts
    • Best Octopus Gifts
    • Best Dolphin Gifts
    • Best Manatee Gifts
    • Best Beach Ornaments
    • Best Valentine Gifts
  • Project Ocean
    • Best Reef Safe Sunscreen
    • Best Ocean Documentaries
    • Help Save our Oceans
    • What Is Coral Bleaching?
    • Guide to Using Sunscreen
Scuba Dive SafetyScuba Diving 101

Why do Scuba Divers Dive Backwards

by Kirsty Wood August 23, 2020
written by Kirsty Wood August 23, 2020
Why do Scuba Divers Dive Backwards

When getting certified for scuba diving there are often a lot of questions about the sport. These include, how deep can divers dive without scuba gear, what’s the best scuba gear to buy, and possibly one of the most common questions, why do scuba divers go in backward off of the boat.

If you have ever asked the common question highlighted in the title above, you may have heard the phrase/joke that experienced divers are quick to respond with of “divers roll backward so they don’t roll into the boat”

As funny as it is, it doesn’t really explain why all divers dive in backward, does it? If you are still feeling in the dark about the reasons why then stick with us as we look at this subject in a lot more detail.

Table of Contents

  • Why do Divers Dive Backwards?
    • 1. Helps Keep the Boat Stable
    • 2. Better for Your Body
    • 4. Gives You More Control Over Your Diving Gear
  • How to Dive Backwards from a Boat

Why do Divers Dive Backwards?

Understanding the Basics

Why do Divers Dive Backwards?: There are a few reasons why divers dive backwards, it helps keep the boat stable, gives you more control over your dive gear and also is better for your body. In this article, we will cover how divers dive backwards and also the reasons why they do so.

Why is this the Popular Way to Enter the Water? There are a number of good reasons why divers use this method?

1. Helps Keep the Boat Stable

If you are diving from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or a similar small boat, backward rolling is the best option. The reason being that smaller boars like these have gunwales are less sturdy, which means you are unable to simply stand up and dive into the water.

Another aspect to consider is the effect getting off the boat is going to have on the boat. For a less dramatic and unsteady rock, use the backward roll.

2. Better for Your Body

Regardless of how far you are falling, falling onto your back is easier on your body. Especially when you have a heavy pack and tank too.

4. Gives You More Control Over Your Diving Gear

You can protect your gear and equipment when you are rolling in backward. It also means you avoid getting water in your mask, an all-too-common occurrence if you go headfirst into the water.

As diving is a hugely personal experience, it is important that you find the right method of entering the water that works best for you. In our humble opinion, like so many other divers, we recommend using the backward roll, and if you are not going to do the backward roll that you try the seated entry or the giant stride.

How to Dive Backwards from a Boat

Helps Keep the Boat Stable If you are diving from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or a similar small boat, backward rolling is the best option. The reason being that smaller boars like these have gunwales that are either lower are less sturdiness, which means you are unable to simply stand up and step into the water. Another aspect to consider is the effect getting off the boat is going to have on the boat. For a less dramatic and unsteady rock, use the backward roll.
Interestingly, the backward roll only works if the boat you are launching from is only three to four inches or less from the water’s surface. Any more than that and the physics just don’t work. After getting your gear on, you need to sit at the gunwale facing away from the water. You then need to make sure the area you are rolling backward into is completely clear.

You then use your right hand on the regulator to secure it while the fingertips hold your dive goggles or mask in place. That leaves your left hand free to secure any hoses that are dangling and loose or secure your facemask, any strapping you have over your head towards the back. Failing that, if you don’t need it for anything else you could just put it at your side.

Now tuck your head and chin into your chest and allow yourself to fall back into the water. Once you are under the water, let yourself acclimatize and then signal to the team on the boat that you are okay, using hand signals.

Going in backwards is probably the most common way for divers to enter the water, however, this isn’t the only way to dive off of a boat. Depending on the type of boat and water environment, diving access can vary.

1 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Kirsty Wood

Scuba diving is more than a passion to me, it's a part of who I am. Now, I travel and dive as much as I can, exploring the world, trying new dive gear, discovering dive destinations and reviewing them here for you. All while educating people of the threats our marine life and oceans face every day and what we can do to help defend it.

You may also like

Snorkeling Vs Scuba Diving (What’s the Difference?)

Reasons to Become a Scuba Diver

How to get Fit for Scuba Diving

1 comment

Moutaz Alnabsilsy September 23, 2020 - 12:20 am

Very Important Points You have shared that most beginners Know Before falling in water for the first time and this could make a big difference for first time diving experience, anyway thank you for sharing useful knowledge, Kristy !! Keep writing!

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

About Me

About Me

Ocean Scuba Dive

People protect what they love. So let's show everyone how to love the world's oceans and everything in it.
Discover. Dive. Defend.




liveaboard_02_300x250_v02

160x600-DesignA-galapagos

Do you share my LOVE for all things #Ocean?

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get the latest ocean and dive news, reviews and more delivered straight to your inbox.

 

Thank you!

You have successfully joined my subscriber list. You can opt out at any time.


.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

@2020- Ocean Scuba Dive. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top