Diving in Surge
http://www.scubawizard.com/articles/articles/8/1/Diving-in-Surge/Page1.html
John Bloom
By John Bloom
Published on 06/2/2007
A few tips on handling surge and wave action when you are diving.
Diving in Surge
Diving in Surge
Surge is created by wave action, which comes in sets of peaks and valleys causing strong flows and weal lulls. You will find it anytime that the water has to take an alternate route around stationary objects. Knowing this you can use surge to your advantage when you are exploring or want to move through an area without a lot of effort. Learning to move with the surge and holding on to stationary objects as it retreats will enable you to cover a larger area with less effort.
Surge becomes a problem when you are boat diving, diving around rocks, shallow reefs and beach diving. Usually you well encounter surge in depths of up to 20 feet but once you understand how it works you will be able to use it to your advantage and enjoyment when you are diving.
How to Handle Surge
Timing is the most important factor when diving in surge. Before making your move, whether it is to get on the boat or to travel through a cavern, wait for a lull in the swells. Relax yourself and let the water carry you through that cavern or to the boat ladder. With a littlepractice you will discover how you can use surge to your advantage to around and not be afraid of it.
For example when you're enter an opening ride in on the inflow to the edge of the opening, hang on to an area during the back flow and then during the lull and next inflow swimthrough and beyond where the surge is most forceful. With practice you will discover a whole new ride.
Don't Fight It
Remember, surge will always be stronger than you are so don't attempt to swim against the surge and wear yourself out. When the surge tries to carry you back wards try holding onto something such as a current line, anchor line, kelp or rock if available. If there's nothing available then steadily kick your fins forward enough to remain in one spot.
Exiting the Water in Conditions of Surge
If you are approaching a boat ladder or exiting by a rock outcropping, move back a few feet and monitor the wave pattern until you can recognize and fee the rhythm of the swells. Once you fell comfortable with the pattern you will be able to ride in on the inflow or the surge to the ladder or rock,hang on during the back flow, and climb out during the slack water before the next inflow.l Always be cautious on your approach. It's better to fall short of the ladder or outcropping and have to do it again than to be thrown against it.
Surge is created by wave action, which comes in sets of peaks and valleys causing strong flows and weal lulls. You will find it anytime that the water has to take an alternate route around stationary objects. Knowing this you can use surge to your advantage when you are exploring or want to move through an area without a lot of effort. Learning to move with the surge and holding on to stationary objects as it retreats will enable you to cover a larger area with less effort.
Surge becomes a problem when you are boat diving, diving around rocks, shallow reefs and beach diving. Usually you well encounter surge in depths of up to 20 feet but once you understand how it works you will be able to use it to your advantage and enjoyment when you are diving.
How to Handle Surge
Timing is the most important factor when diving in surge. Before making your move, whether it is to get on the boat or to travel through a cavern, wait for a lull in the swells. Relax yourself and let the water carry you through that cavern or to the boat ladder. With a littlepractice you will discover how you can use surge to your advantage to around and not be afraid of it.
For example when you're enter an opening ride in on the inflow to the edge of the opening, hang on to an area during the back flow and then during the lull and next inflow swimthrough and beyond where the surge is most forceful. With practice you will discover a whole new ride.
Don't Fight It
Remember, surge will always be stronger than you are so don't attempt to swim against the surge and wear yourself out. When the surge tries to carry you back wards try holding onto something such as a current line, anchor line, kelp or rock if available. If there's nothing available then steadily kick your fins forward enough to remain in one spot.
Exiting the Water in Conditions of Surge
If you are approaching a boat ladder or exiting by a rock outcropping, move back a few feet and monitor the wave pattern until you can recognize and fee the rhythm of the swells. Once you fell comfortable with the pattern you will be able to ride in on the inflow or the surge to the ladder or rock,hang on during the back flow, and climb out during the slack water before the next inflow.l Always be cautious on your approach. It's better to fall short of the ladder or outcropping and have to do it again than to be thrown against it.