Okay, I've really been thinking about this whole shore diving exit situation. I had a heck of a fall coming from Red Slave and it really hurts to land on your knees with all that weight behind you! Soooo... I thought up a solution. I have knee pads from my daughter playing volleyball and I'm thinking about putting them on pre-dive.

This would certainly serve as a great shock-absorber should you fall. And they aren't in the least bit cumbersome to wear on your dive. Might look funny, but hey, I look funny anyway! LOL

Comments or suggestions? Oh, yes I will be there in just one week, in case anyone was wondering.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Kelly, you didn't tell me about this when I asked you to go with me and be my dive buddy...I think it is a great idea, a helmut wouldn't be a bad idea either...how bout wrist pads and elbow pads too? We would be easily identifiable to boot!

Seriously, I think you may be onto something...I may go raid Dylon's closet for knee pads when he isn't looking!

Helmut?

How about a pad for your errr.... posterior? I think I'd be more prone to fall backwards with all that weight.

And think about it, foam kneepads will absorb water, acting like leg weights. You can carry less lead! Plus, get a great leg workout!

Countdown to liftoff... Kelly, are we counting 7 or 8 today? I can't wait!

Andy, isn't that the "proper" way to spell "helmet?"

This whole entry/exit thing could be solved by valet shore diving. ;^)

I'm impressed Cynde .... you're obviously working hard on perfecting your mastery of the "Queens English". As you seem to have figured out ... if in doubt, chuck a "u" in.

Airey, I like that idea

Andy...I have colour in my cheeks [blush]...good to know that all of my studies are paying off and I may even get extra credit for good behaviour

Yo Folks... It's called Beach Diving !!!! if want an easy entry/exit allow me to suggest Pink Beach (if you love a long snorkle), Playa Leche (you do have to walk to the entry site), Town Pier (slippery ramp), Bachelor's Beach (stairs), Awww heck, I guess y'all better stick to boats. <so>

Knee pads seem like a good idea, but if they aren't made for diving they might get a little 'funky' after a few times in and out of the water.

Also: I am tall, have a high center of gravity, and am a little clumsy without SCUBA gear on. I try to take smaller steps and keep as much of my weight on my solidly placed foot before transferring weight.

Finally: Don't totally write off Helmut until you give him a chance

I tried to post this yesterday but was kicked off... I was actually thinking that my knee (and wrist?) pads used for rollerblading would be better suited for this. They aren't foam, they are hard plastic, and can be easily rinsed off.

Don't want to stick to boat diving, just trying to make things a little easier for me and maybe some other small women out there who have a hard time exiting the water. I love to shore dive, but like to make things as easy as possible... nothing like a displaced knee cap to ruin your trip.

Can we end this thread already?????
Shore diving/snorkeling is not easy,get over it
or stop. Remember Bonaire is a Marine park and even shore diving with entries/exit is probably
harmful to the coral as it stands right now.
Enjoy it for what it is and leave entries/exits
alone and most of all as with any sport BE CAREFUL.
Jeff

Jeff, the purpose of Bonaire Talk is for folks to ask questions, learn, mull things over, get ideas, and share their experiences. Several folks have shared their stories of falling on entry and exits...and it is in this sharing that folks can learn and come up with possible solutions for themselves or others. Try having a little more compassion and consideration for others, and if you are tired of reading about the subject, then all you have to do is NOT read the thread.

Cynde,

My main dive partner is also vertically challenged (5ft) and lugs a housed camera with strobes almost everywhere we dive. If she has an entry/exit problem she will occasionally look to me for assistance. That is what buddy teams are for... And, you are denying Jeff the right to state his opinion. Jeff is as entitled to his opinion as are you or any other denizen.

I incorrectly addressed my comments pertaining to the vertically challenged, they were meant for Kelly.

Cynde, did you raid Dylon's closet for the rollerblade knee and wrist guards? If you can't find his, I have an extra set, with elbow guards and everything! I am equipped! I would be happy to bring them for you, just let me know.

I just can't believe no one thought of this before! And I can't believe it's almost time for us to be there! I am so excited to be guests of Jake and Lindas... we are so blessed and fortunate.

It's almost time! We are going to Bonaire! Yayyy!!

I have GOT to get a picture of this! You two MUST go down to the reefcam in all that gear. And wear your helmets too.
7 days! yippee!!!!

Cheryl, we will be wearing our purple hats in place of our "helmuts" 6 days and counting down!

Injury-proof shore exit gear kits...

Plan A: "Skater Style" Apply ABS impact-resistant plastic pads to knees, elbows, posterior, wrists, ankles, shoulders and nose, plus 14 lbs extra weight to counter effects of highly bouyant plastic.

Plan B: "German Efficiency Style" Use Helmut, who will pick you up, carry you to shore, and rub suntan oil on your back after helping you doff your tank and BCD.

Plan C: "Red/Green Style" Build portable extending boom crane and winch. Mount to front of rented Hilux dive truck with several layers of duct tape. Attach horse-collar to winch cable for diver pickup (ok to substitute used tire if horse-collar not available). Operate by wireless remote control rendered waterproof by triple-ply ziplock bag.

Lefi, I am crying I am laughing so hard...thank you!

Yo Jeff !!!! I feel your pain !!!!!!!!

Back to knee pads, and sort of seriously ... Wouldn't they add buoyancy? I suppose you could add ankle weights ...

Holly, yes I assume they would add a slight bit of bouyancy, but not enough to matter much. Maybe an extra 2 lbs. of weight? Not much. And worth it!

Leif, that Helmut thing is hilarious. Helmut the Sherpa. I love it.

I opt for the boom crane and winch! Just pick me up and place me gently on dry ground. (And that's only because hubby would probably frown at Helmut helping!

I personally like Plan C...as long as the duct tape holds! LOL! Now think about this ladies...the knee pads could add a little extra buoyancy to the "lower half" to offset all the buoyancy for the "upper half" LOL! If I see Kelly having a problem getting her bum down due to the extra buoyancy , I will just get my dive knife out and cut the knee pads off and set her loose...helmut and all

OK, one more...

Plan "Q": "Listen up, 007, this buoyancy compensating vest is equiped with all the usual features - like exploding gas-charged darts that fire from the shoulders when you pull the lower dump valve, ink cloud activated by twisting the front clasp like so, and sonar-scrambling electronic countermeasures sewn into the lining. Now, this one is our latest model, which includes a new feature for easy shore exit at any diving location. Simply discretely remove this folded vinyl package from the vest pocket, attach the nozzle to your inflater hose, and depress the power inflator button. In about 30 seconds you can climb onto your surface exit platform, cleverly camoflauged to look just like an inflatable yellow inner tube, so that anyone who observes you from a distance will think you are just a sunbathing tourist. Simply paddle briskly towards shore until you reach the beach, then deflate, fold and store. And James, do try not to puncture it."

Leif...great visualization...i'm there, I can see it now...very slick and cool exit...I think I need to send my BCD to the "spy center" to have it outfitted before the trip...They may send you compensation for the idea, so be thinking of a price...

Over and out, and the "plant is on the table"

Agent 007

Did all of you sleep through ALL those Marine Park orientations? Knee pads are illegal!!

Fill up your bathtubs for a safe easy dive and turn on the underwater Video.

You bunch of PANSIES!!!!

Finally, a voice of reason !!!

don't most of the 3 ml wetsuits already have kneepads built in ? I like the thicker soled booties and 3 ml wetsuit for protection..other than that , you are lugging more stuff under with you...and then have to compensate with extra weight.." whatever floats your boat " as they say...dive safe and often

by the way what do other people dive with in their BCs and attached to their bodies ? bet we'll get an assortment of gear here

Walt...now I have been called a lot of things...but "pansy?" boy...that one really hurts...but not as much as it could have...you see as I type I have all of my protective gear on including my helmut...I would take a pic and post it but I'm not color coordinated and it would be just toooo embarrassing

I guess I better listen a little more carefully during my next orientation for the "leave your pads at home you pansies" speech [chuckle]...but what I will really be listening for is if I can still use Plan "Q"...

P.S. I hope you and your better half are planning to come to the BBQ, I would love to finally meet you in person

(Message edited by cyndelee on June 27, 2003)

Would that be the July 8th BBQ?

Walt..yes, that would be July 8th I would like to finally meet the man that help me understand why some folks dive deep (aka, your mountain climber analogy)

I'll do my best to make it.

OK Walt, hope to meet you then

"Why some folks dive deep .... mountain climber analogy", Cynde?
Nah! It's got nothing to do with mountains. It's just a natural progression from "their" aversion to knee pads. You see, once any self respecting Tekkie descends below 150ft he rips off every shred of clothing that he began the dive wearing & "hangs out" with his like minded buddies at depth without a stitch on. Yep, Tekkies are simply underwater nudists, seeking a little privacy.
OK Walt, that's another beer I owe you.... Mary says that you might make it over here to share a few in the next year or two?

Fancypants...thought of you today while I was at the bookstore searching for a book to read during my trip...it was in the "Romance" section and the title was "Fancypants"...go figure

Ho Andy......
I climbed big mountains all over the world.....
I dive now because as I get older I find sinking easier then climbing.

Jeff....hush puppy....

and as far as plastic knee pads, elbo pads, etc. in general, their specfic gravity is heavier then water, (ABS 1.05, PVC (most likely material) 1.30, CPVC 1.54, PCTFE 2.14.)

So if you integrate plastic protection in your gear, remember that it is negative bouyant.....to test....throw into bathtub.

Your friendly boatbuilder of unsinkable boats....we really spend alot of time tossing stuff in the water.

Hello all,I seemed to upset a few BTers with my
OPINION please accept my apologies.
The only reason i posted in the first place is that there were some posts that suggested
altering the entries/exits to EASE are hobby
that is snorkling/diving. That in it self is
against the law I think,and is great example
of us humans shaping the world to fit our NEEDS.
It was only recently I realized that some of the post were sarcastic and for that reason I will sign off. Sorry for caring,see you, Jeff

No apologies needed I'm sure Jeff, but for Lord's sake man...... lighten up! About the only thing on this board that most of us have in common is that by & large, we DO CARE, but a fair proportion of the postings are made with tongues firmly in cheek. Well, mine are anyway.

Incidentally, I've often wondered why the Pink Bus doesn't show a little initiative & stock a 10 man sized sledge to assist the more vertically challenged amongst us to get in & out of the water.

Oh, & I'm feeling too lazy to post under the appropriate heading but ..... in my stab jacket pocket I always carry a magnifying glass. Wouldn't be without one. (& of course, a little something for the weekend )

A round of questions about all of the foregoing...


1. If Kelly is a Pansy, is Walt a Daisy or a Lily? (Myself? I'm just a leaf... [sorry, couldn't help it])

2. What is the oddest thing you have seen while scuba diving in your own home (bathtubs and open-water jacuzzis included)?

3. What is Fancypants' "little something"? Is that what the magnifier is for?

4. When are we going to see our first picture in this thread? (((Clint, are you listening?)))

Leif, you crack me up! I like the idea of what is the weirdest thing you have seen while diving anywhere...I will have to think about that one...I think that Fancypants would have something to say about the underwater sub he managed to moon sometime back...

Wait a minute Leif! I'm SURE it was Cynde who was the pansy! lol

Kelly, you're right...you are the "Sunflower" LOL!