Why perform scuba divers dive backwards? Because otherwise they’d loss into the boat! Haha. This is the famous punchline of this joke and also meme that salty divers laugh around in a bar, or at their key-boards on the internet. But wbelow does the joke come from and how truthful is it for scuba divers? Let’s jump in (backwards of course) and uncover out why execute scuba divers dive backwards, and the reasons for doing so!

Why Do Scuba Divers Dive Backwards?

Firstly, scuba divers dive backwards because it is typically the safest way to enter the water, minimising the influence of the water on the glass of your mask to prevent it from smashing.

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This meme is popular on Facebook and also Reddit

Advanteras Of Backward Roll

Gravity!

All of the scuba devices have the right to be cumbersome and also awkward. It is particularly back-heavy through the scuba tank or cylinder primarily sitting on your ago. This implies you have a herbal tendency and gravitation pull to autumn backwards. It is then typically much easier to autumn through gravity and dive backwards off the watercraft and also into the water.

Less Impact from the Water

Another factor why scuba divers dive backward is that the tank/cylinder will break the water first and also enable you to enter the water smoothly. If you fell on your front, then your mask made of glass will hit the water initially and also have the chance of breaking and wrecking into your challenge. If you fell on your front, then the force of the water will likewise probably push the regulator out of your mouth.

Boat Size

Scuba divers will certainly likewise dive backwards right into the water because of the size of the watercraft that they are jumping off from. A tiny blow up rib (Rigid Inflatable Boats), Zodiac, or speedwatercraft, may not have enough room for a diver to stand up, put on their tools, and also then jump feet-first right into the water. This is as soon as rolling backwards off the watercraft will be the safest and easiest approach. In these scenarios you will generally currently have actually the tools on when stepping onto the small watercraft (generally off a bigger boat or pier), then you will certainly sit dvery own on the edge of the boat, put on your fins, mask, and regulator, and also when you have actually the OK sign, you will certainly pointer backwards to hit the water.

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It’s Easy!

Rolling backwards from an currently seated place via your devices on additionally minimizes the amount of motion on the boat. Walking around a crowded boat with a hefty tank and also long, awkward fins deserve to be dangerous if you slip or trip accidentally. If you are currently seated through your tools and it is safe to roll backwards right into the water, then this is much simpler than walking roughly and jumping in feet first! Remember, scuba divers are lazy and also we much favor to conserve our energy for diving!Read More: Rolling backwards off a RIB in my review of The Junk liveaboard in Thailand

How to Conduct the Perfect Backwards Roll while Scuba Diving

Get right into the boat with your tools on (except fins)Sit dvery own on the edge of the watercraft and put your fins onPlaced your mask and regulator into your mouthWhen the watercraft captain or watercraft operator gives you the OK sign, then usage one hand to hold onto your mask and regulator versus your faceYou can usage your other hand to hold your mask strap secudepend against the ago of your headTip backwards and roll back into the water!As shortly as you pop up from the water, kick ago away from the watercraft.

Scuba Divers Falling Out of the Boat

So there you have actually it, if you’ve been wondering why perform scuba divers dive backwards when entering the water, it is as a result of safety and also gravity reasons! At the finish of the day though, those jokesters have it correct. If us scuba divers did roll fowards, we would just finish up in the boat flat on our face!!