The Feet First surface dive commences with the swimmer in a vertical position with the head out of the water, either floating or treading water. The swimmer uses the arms and legs to lift their body as high as possible. At the highest point out of the water, the swimmer then reverses the palms of the hands so they face up and sculls upwards either in one large sweeping action or a series of smaller upward sculls. The result of gravity pulling the body downwards combined with the sculling action results in the body going under feet first. This method is used where the water is unclear or the environment floor unknown. It is better in this instance to risk damaging the feet instead of the head!
With either surface dive, once the swimmer is underwater, they can then go into a horizontal position to swim or search. Surface dives can also be adapted by bending less at the waist so it is a gentle dip under the water or commencing in a more horizontal position so that it becomes more of a “bob down” such as when swimming through waves or when gaining a great depth is less important.