What do you do about friction blisters?

[Darnold9999]

The medical grade waterproof tape I use lasts 3 - 5 dives on a liveaboard. Much prefer it in bare feet in a fool foot fin than booties in a slip on (I have both and use the booties and slip on when in a dry suit). Part of the preference may be different fins as the full foot ones are smaller and stiffer which work better for me in a wetsuit. While the slip ons are bigger and provide more push in a dry suit.

Depends where on my foot the tape is how long it lasts. Around a toe - all day, across my foot under my ankle 3 dives.

Socks definitely work but I prefer bare feet. I know the rub points so four chunks of tape is all I need.

 

[dmaziuk]

Athletic tape (trainer's tape) was designed to be used on skin. I know it will stay on in water if it wraps around to itself, because I've used it when playing water polo.

The premium option is kinesiology tape. You often see it on swimmers and water polo players. One of the KT companies even sponsored the US women's water polo team.

KT tape does not last that long in water, especially if wrapped onto itself. It sticks to skin well, to itself: not so well. And that's without friction thrown in. It should last a dive or three, but given the price tag it's probably not worth it.

 

[PBcatfish]

I've been using gel protectors for the last few years. They work great for full foot fins with or without socks.

Used to put all kinds of tape but it only last for one dive and if you're not carefully placing the tape it slips ... or maybe is just me that rush the process, this gel cylinders seem to be a sure thing

Those look very much like the cots I had originally envisioned. Where did you find them?

 

[lowwall]

KT tape does not last that long in water, especially if wrapped onto itself. It sticks to skin well, to itself: not so well. And that's without friction thrown in. It should last a dive or three, but given the price tag it's probably not worth it.

Good to know so I can save my pennies when my case of Coach tape finally runs out. I haven't used kinesiology tape myself as they hadn't invented it when I was playing water polo. But I've seen it on a lot of swimmers and water polo players over the last decade or so, so thought I would mention it.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Hi chillyinCanada,

Not sure a response is required on my part. I also suggested socks.
I further recommended that industrial use tapes, with potentially harmful chemicals in the adhesive was not a good idea.

On a slightly different topic, I don't see how being on a liveaboard equates with damaged feet.

Bare feet in a full foot fin on a continuous basis is probably not a good idea. Especially when combined with sand and or coral fragments, because now as well as contact friction blistering, you're adding abrasives into the mix.

Socks/boots comfortable half foot fins with straps seem like a much better plan.

Seems to me, ease of packing is the trade-off for a week full of foot problems, bad idea.

Rose

The blisters and rub burns are from the booties, Rose. Those that chose/choose to use the duct tape did it of their own volition and in advance of getting new blisters/rub burns, knowing from their personal experience where on their feet it would happen but I take your point.

 

[Ana]

Those look very much like the cots I had originally envisioned. Where did you find them?

I probably bought them in Amazon but there many sources. Use "gel toe protectors" for your search.
They have sleeves which are open on both ends and caps with only one end open.
The set I got had both.

 

[Rose Robinson]

The blisters and rub burns are from the booties, Rose. Those that chose/choose to use the duct tape did it of their own volition and in advance of getting new blisters/rub burns, knowing from their personal experience where on their feet it would happen but I take your point.

Hi chillyinCanada,

Thank you for that, I just personally feel, there has got to be a far better method than wrapping your feet with tape, and I don't understand why this issue aligns with liveaboard vacations.

It seems to me that a week's vacation with sore, blistered feet, is no vacation. I know that liveaboard accommodations are small and storage is at a premium, but we're talking socks, boots, fins, all small items, that could be stored anywhere, the correct low cut dive boots, with socks, could even be worn as deck shoes, so now all you're storing is extra socks and fins, and properly fitting half foot, strapped fins, take up no more storage space than do full foot fins.

So, where is the logic, behind sore, blistered, abraded feet and duct tape.

Sorry chillyinCanada, I just don't get it,

And, when I've returned from vacation, with my damaged feet, I have to start wearing close fitting street, work shoes, and continue suffering everyday until my feet heal.

Sorry, no takers here.

Rose

 

[dmaziuk]

Good to know so I can save my pennies when my case of Coach tape finally runs out. I haven't used kinesiology tape myself as they hadn't invented it when I was playing water polo. But I've seen it on a lot of swimmers and water polo players over the last decade or so, so thought I would mention it.

IM limited E it seems to help with some muscle strains and smaller joints. I felt like it helped a bit with sprained wrists and was 100% useless on the knees.

But anyway: it's elastic, you pre-stretch it when sticking it on, and then it pulls on the skin and muscle. That's what you're paying extra for, if you're not using that feature, it's a waste.

 

[Snoweman]

I used to put medical tape on the knuckles that would get blisters. Then I got a pair of Force Fins and don't have a problem anymore.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Hi chillyinCanada,

Thank you for that, I just personally feel, there has got to be a far better method than wrapping your feet with tape, and I don't understand why this issue aligns with liveaboard vacations.

It seems to me that a week's vacation with sore, blistered feet, is no vacation. I know that liveaboard accommodations are small and storage is at a premium, but we're talking socks, boots, fins, all small items, that could be stored anywhere, the correct low cut dive boots, with socks, could even be worn as deck shoes, so now all you're storing is extra socks and fins, and properly fitting half foot, strapped fins, take up no more storage space than do full foot fins.

So, where is the logic, behind sore, blistered, abraded feet and duct tape.

Sorry chillyinCanada, I just don't get it,

And, when I've returned from vacation, with my damaged feet, I have to start wearing close fitting street, work shoes, and continue suffering everyday until my feet heal.

Sorry, no takers here.

Rose

That's why it is so easy to convert liveaboard divers to lycra socks.

Frankly, I had to ask why they had duct tape on their feet in the first place. So they told me (the first time that I ever saw it). Over the years, I've seen it many times and since I always have extra lycra socks with me, I can do loaners, for those who need to be shown for themselves.

We're on a crusade together, Rose