Page 74

20490TC

To check for air, use the following steps: 1. Check to be sure that your buddy’s and your cylinder valve are almost fully open and only back 1/4 turn. 2. Check that your buddy’s and your primary regulators and back-up regulators are delivering air on demand. Remember to exhale before inhaling. 3. Check that your buddy’s and your SPG reflect that the cylinder is full while breathing from the second stage. 4. Check that all cylinders are secure in their tank straps. To check for gear and go, use the following steps: 1. Check that you both have your mask, snorkel, and fins ready to don. 2. Check that your hoses are free, not tangled, and properly secured. 3. Check to be sure that you both have any necessary accessory equipment such as lights or cameras. 4. Proceed to your entry point. No matter how experienced and skilled a diver you become, you always want to have your buddy inspect your equipment and be sure that you inspect your buddy’s equipment in addition to self-checks. It is much easier to correct a problem before you get in the water. Boat and Platform Entries There are general rules that apply to most boat and platform entries: • Your BC should be partially inflated to provide buoyancy. • You should hold your mask firmly in place to avoid flooding it or having it come off. • You should breathe from your regulator during the entry. • You should make sure that the entry area below you is clear and sufficiently deep for the type of entry you are using. The only objective for an entry is to get into the water with minimal effort and effect on both you and your equipment. Any entry that accomplishes this objective is a good entry. Giant Stride Entry You can use the giant stride entry from a boat or dock where the distance to the water is no more than about 2 meters (6 feet) (figure 3-30). This entry keeps you near the surface. It is appropriate when the water is deeper than 2 meters (6 feet), there are no objects under water that you might strike while entering, and you want to stay on the surface. The steps to a giant stride entry are: 1. Have your fins on and your mask and regulator in place. 2. Place your fin blades and the balls of your feet off the edge of the platform. 3. Look at the water below you to ensure that there are no divers below you. 4. Hold your mask and regulator with one hand and any loose items with your other hand and arm. 5. Step out from the platform with one bold stride. As you step out, your trailing leg will follow behind you. 6. Bring your legs together once you are under water to propel you back to the surface. 7. Quickly check that all your gear is still in place once you resurface. NAUI Scuba Diver 62 Diving Skills FIGURE 3-30. YOU USUALLY DO A GIANT STRIDE ENTRY FROM A LARGE BOAT.


20490TC
To see the actual publication please follow the link above