An objective way to eyeball someone's skill level

[BarryNL]

This will be a new skill that I will really enjoy practicing. I watch other divers to see what they do, I had not seen anyone employ that particular move but maybe I missed it somewhere.

Heh, I'm afraid the majority of OW instructors can't do this one

There's two parts that you have to master - the first is the 'power stroke' that moves you backward, the second is returning your fins to the starting position for the next stroke without pushing yourself forward again.

The first part can actually be best practised without fins - it's your legs as much as your fins which provide the backward thrust. Get in the pool with a snorkel and mask and practise the power stroke until you can easily move backwards. Then it's time to put the fins on...

For the second part you just need to slowly sneak your fins back through the water so it doesn't notice

 

[Teamcasa]

It's not an easy kick to master, but has to be the most useful utility kick there is. Split fins don't make it easier.

Many actual split fin users would disagree.

 

[24940]

Many actual split fin users would disagree.

I guess that would make them disagreeable.

Perhaps you could explain how split fins make the back kick easier? I have an actual set of splits and have actually tried the kick in them, but was never happy with the results. I'm not sure what your criteria for defining what an 'actual' split fin user is, but I did dive them for a year.

I've heard a few people claim it can be done, but you are the first to imply it's actually easier.

Thanks!

 

[ClayJar]

Split fins don't make it easier.

Many actual split fin users would disagree.

I've heard many reputable split fin users who have said that split fins do not make back kicking any *harder* (different, to be sure, but not harder), but I cannot recall many split fin aficionados claiming that split fins make back kicking *easier* (which would be the required position if one were to disagree with 24940, if I may be pedantic). :biggrin:

Of course, like DCS cases, excellent back kicking divers seem to be rare enough that generalizations tend to fade into noise. (Back kicking seems to be more popular in "technical" diving, where split fins are underrepresented compared to the overall diving population, so analysis is even more confounded.)

It doesn't really matter whether it's easier or harder in any particular fins (somebody say "force fins" so I can make bingo on this thread). Back kicking is just plain useful fun, so who really cares?

 

[djanni]

I look at their fins. The old saying, you can tell the man by his shoes, you can tell the diver by their fins.

N

Hey, that shoe thing is not true at all. I've meet at least two divers who use paddle fins and they are real nice guys and pretty good divers too.

 

[Teamcasa]

...I've heard a few people claim it can be done, but you are the first to say it's actually easier.

Thanks!

Sorry to mislead..

I did not mean to infer it was any easier or more difficult. Back kicks are a simple procedure with virtually any fin. Provided the diver has some semblance of coordination.

 

[24940]

Nice back kick!

I don't know why, but I'm going to put the splits back on and give the back kick another try in them. I'll video the results this weekend and post along with the same kick in paddles. Well, I'll post the results as long as they support my position. I don't mind being wrong, but I draw the line at pointing out my own errors.

 

[Teamcasa]

Now that has the makin’s of a brand new thread!

Before bashing someone else’s gear choice, the poster must produce video evidence to support their position.

Lets see, splits that’s obvious but what about…. Wait! I’m getting off topic. I’ll figure out how to phrase the thread title.

 

[under water]

To create a useful "dive skill index" simply divide the cubic ft of their spare air by the number of retractors on their BCD.

Further divide by the length of their knife.
adjust for # of snorkels

(((ft*ft*ft)/#ret)/Length of Knife)/2.15*#snorkels

You can see from this equation that anyone who dives without a snorkel has an infinite score (divided by zero), so they must be the safest divers.

Seriously there is no way that you can tell that they will be safe for you as a buddy until you dive with them and see how they are and if they fit in with your style of diving. You might be able to tell that they are unsafe by talking to them and seeing if they care about YOU, not just themselves.

 

[Fuzzmutton]

I don't know why, but I'm going to put the splits back on and give the back kick another try in them. I'll video the results this weekend and post along with the same kick in paddles. Well, I'll post the results as long as they support my position. I don't mind being wrong, but I draw the line at pointing out my own errors.

I look forward to the new thread with relish

Sorry, I've hijacked this discussion long enough, back to dividing by snorkels.