When should divers time their entries and exits in relation to waves?

Timing entries and exits in relation to waves is crucial for divers to ensure their safety and to make the process smoother. The correct practice is to time these activities with incoming waves. As a wave approaches, it tends to push water towards the shore, which can help divers to move into the water more easily. This allows them to take advantage of the surge created by the wave, which can assist in their entry.

Conversely, when waves are outgoing, the water is receding back to sea, and divers may find it more challenging to enter or exit the water due to the potential for stronger current pulling away from the shoreline. Timing exits during outgoing waves could also result in increased difficulty returning to the shore, as divers may be thrust back into deeper water.

Using calm periods between waves might seem like a good idea, but these moments can be unpredictable and fleeting, often leaving divers vulnerable to waves that may come unexpectedly. The option of waiting until after a series of small waves might not provide sufficient opportunities for safe exits, as conditions can change quickly after a small set of waves.

Therefore, timing entries and exits specifically with incoming waves is the best practice for divers to ensure a safer and more efficient experience in the water.