Split fins

Question
Hi,

I抦 fairly new to scuba diving and I have been thinking of buying my own fins.
The main reason is because I have an artificial hip and sometimes I struggle to get one of the fins on. Because I have less movement in that leg I sometimes find it awkward to get my heel close enough that I can pull the strap over my heel with spring straps or tighten the strap with conventional straps. My thinking was that if I can find a pair of fins that I find easier to put on than rentals fins then it would make things easier. However after a bit of searching on the Internet I stumbled upon an article saying that split fins were better than conventional paddle fins for people with knee or hip problems, because they reduce the amount of resistance felt on your joints. However another article said novice divers should really learn to manoeuvre with conventional paddle fins, saying they had seen too many new divers wearing split fins 搘aving their arms about to maintain position? Many reviews also say split fins reduce cramps, require less effort to use and therefore you use less air.

Do you have any thoughts or advice ?


Answer
Hi Clive,

Thanks for a very informative letter.  You've done your homework well and I think you're definitely on the right track.  I'll add my two-cents worth!!

I think the best way to solve flexibility problem with your artificial hip would be to use spring straps on your fins.  You can find the straps with holes or loops in the heel pull tab.  I have these straps in the shop so they should be easy to find in your area.  

You will also need a hook device which would go through the hole in the strap and allow you to pull the strap into place without having to actually reach the strap with your hands.  I don't know of any hook devices specifically made for this purpose but with a little creative tinkering, you or a mechanically minded friend could come up with such a device.  It only needs to be about a foot long with a non-pointed hook on one end and a grip on the other end.  Perhaps a T-handle on the grip end would give you a better handle to work with.  Something like that could easily be fabricated out of aluminum or out of a wooden dowel and a metal threaded hook screwed into the end.  Using aluminum or stainless steel will reduce problems with corrosion.

The spring straps come in different sizes.  The size is determined by measuring the distance from one strap attachment point on the fin, around the back of your heel when it's in the fin, to the other strap attachment point.  The spring strap is not designed to stretch very far so it's not a case of "one size fits all".  

Most fins use a button attachment on the fin to hold the strap.  Scuba Pro is a notable exception so if you get a Scuba Pro fin, you'll have to look for a special spring strap (more money!!).

I think your best bet to relieve stress on your hip joint is to use split fins.  They require much less effort to kick, thus relieving the stress on your hip and reducing the possibility of cramps.  They are much more efficient than paddle fins since they will produce thrust equally on both the upstroke and downstroke.  Paddle fins produce most of their thrust only on the downstroke.  The design of the split fin allows water to pass through the split and greatly reduces the resistance.

Manoeuvering with split fins is only a matter of practicing so don't pay any attention to those who would have you "waving your arms about to maintain position".  With proper weighting and technique, you can easily change or maintain position in the water without the use of your arms.  My students master the split fins without problems and I'm sure you can, too.

Typically, the split fins will cost more than the paddle fins but, in your case, I think the cost is well justified by the advantages they will provide in your swimming activities.

Clive, I wish you every success in your diving ventures!!

Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center
mikescuba.com