In scuba diving, the right entry technique is one of the important things to be considered. No one is the best single way, all depend on the combination of the type of platform you are diving from, the what you’re most comfortable using, and the safest way determined by the conditions.

This technique is great when you are diving on shallow reef, where jumping in could cause the diver injury or the damage of the reef.

1. Back Roll Entry
   In Indonesia, probably this is the most preferred entry technique because most diving in here is done by small boat diving. This technique is usually used in which divers enter the water from (low) side of the boat. The divers put their equipment, mask, and regulator on, inflate the BCD, sit back to the side of the boat backward off the water, one hand is to hold the mask and regulator in place and secure it, other hand is to secure the hose or head, and roll backward to the water. To do this technique, divers should make sure the water is deep enough to roll and tank or head would not bump on anything dangerous, like boat or rock. The main thing is not to be too concerned with the roll in the water. With the mask on and regulator in the mouth there is no problem with water getting into the nose of taking a mouthful of water.
2. Giant Stride Entry
   This technique is secondly preferred in Indonesia, done when you’re entering deep water off a stable platform, which could be a jetty, boat dock, or even the side of the swimming pool. Divers put their equipment, mask, and regulator on, inflate the BCD, standing on the side of platform, one hand is to hold the mask and regulator in place and secure it, other hand is to secure the hose of the equipment, take one big step forward with your leg while looking straight ahead towards the horizon, give signal OK to the boat after you’ve entered the water and float comfortable on the surface. Make sure you look down first into the area where you’re planning to enter the water to make sure it’s clear of other divers and potential hazards.
3. Controlled Seated Entry
   This technique can be used just like back roll entry, but by lifting yourself up and outward with your hands on one side, and lowering yourself into the water while seated at the side or edge of the boat or platforms. It is best used when the water is too shallow for a giant stride or too low to the surface of the water or the platform is unsteady. This technique is great when you are diving on shallow reef, where jumping in could cause the diver injury or the damage of the reef.
4. Shore or Wading Entry
   This technique is performed from a beach or the shore, by wading out to your dive site by walking backwards while you have already putting on your all equipment in place, including fins, mask, and regulator. But if the stepping is too hard – like quite big rocks – to walk on with fins, you may put on fins when already in the water with inflated BCD. Be careful when the wave is rough, you might need to use the time between tides to walk and not falling down.

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