02/02/2022
- THE GIANT STRIDE ENTRY
If the water is deep enough, you do not need to sit down to enter the water. Think of many divers entering from a boats. If each one had to sit down, put on the equipment and then enter the water it would take far too long for a whole group of divers to enter. What generally happens is that you prepare for a the dive then walk to the platform (usually at water level) where, usually with the help of the crew, you put on your fins and immediately enter the water.
To enter the water without sitting down all you have to do is to take a “giant stride”. Position your mask on your face, put your main second stage in your mouth and move towards the edge. Now put your foot in front of you until it is over the edge of the pool. It is best if at least half of your foot is over the edge. Partially inflate your BC, make sure it stays inflated, and check that the area immediately in front of you is free (divers just entered, swimmers etc).
Now look straight ahead (at the horizon) and with one hand hold your mask and second stage in position. You should use your other hand to hold your pressure gauge, the corrugated hose (if your BC has one) and your auxiliary second stage in place. Move your body forward without moving your foot from the edge of the pool. Bring your other foot forward as if you wanted to take a very large (“giant”) step forward, using the other foot on the edge of the pool as a pivot.
Do not jump in, but step. The shifting of your weight will cause you to fall into the water. Do not move your foot from the edge of the pool but use it as a fulcrum to push yourself away from the edge, in a similar way to which you used your arms when you did the seated side entry.
As soon as you are in the water, turn around and face whoever is on the side and signal that everything is OK using the signal agreed on with the teaching staff previously. If you need to, inflate your BC some more. Move away from the edge immediately so that other divers can enter the water. Now check that you are wearing the correct amount of weight. The instructor will probably be at your side while you do this.