How to Plan a Self-Guided Shore Dive

So, you and your dive buddy are ready to hit the beach. You have a dive buddy right?... Of course you do, because not having one would make this enjoyable diving experience, foolish, dangerous and potentially lethal. You being a trained and certified open water diver already knew that though, so let's continue to hatch this plan for an undersea escape.

Do your homework!

Learn as much as you can about the dive site you're going to visit. Books, magazines, and the Internet can be excellent resources, but nothing is better than straight from the mouths of those in the know. Take a trip to the local dive shop and ask around (you've gotta fill those tanks anyway). The shop employees and even the regular customers can hook you up with valuable info like the best time of day to catch favorable currents and visibility, or even the best places to park. You've got the location nailed down but there is a ways to go before BCD meets the Briny.

Tell someone about your plan.

Let somebody (not your dive buddy) know the details of your dive. Where, with who, when you plan on returning and what to do if you don't show up. If your friends are anything like mine, it wouldn't hurt to write this stuff down. Don't be afraid to mention things like "if I don't make it back, keep your grubby mits off my record collection" or "don't let Mom look in that box stashed in the sock drawer".

Turn on the tube.

Check the weather reports on t.v. or on the web. Check the obvious of course, because we all know hurricane+diving=bad or lightning+ water=worm farm. Check the sea-conditions as well because a really distant storm can kick up gnarly swells more suitable for surfing than scuba.

Kick the tires.

Round up all your gear and give it a thorough inspection. Turn on the air to make sure no hoses or O-rings aren't hissing. No buckles or zippers busted? Check. Batteries in lights/dive computer? Check. Towels? Reef safe sunscreen? Drinking water? Hella-sweet ninja turtle lunch box stuffed with pb&j's? Check, check, check and check. O.k. let's roll.

We're not wet yet...

Size up the seas.

Eyeball the conditions. If the swells are too large or currents too strong, or for any reason you just aren't feeling it; don't go. You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. There is no shame in calling off a dive.

Plot a course.

You and your buddy should decide on an entry point. a route to follow and a place to exit the water.

Set some limits.

Set a depth limit, a time limit, and an air supply limit.

Gesticulate.

Review your hand signals.

What if?

Stuff happens! Play the "what if" game to try to anticipate potential scenarios and agree upon a course of action to take in the event of the unexpected. A great example is, "what if we get split up?" or "what if we need to summon help?"

Stick to the plan.

Sticking to a well laid plan can mean the difference between pleasant surprises and unpleasant alarm. Stay focused, maintain communication with your buddy and enjoy the many natural wonders of the aquatic world.