Are you helpless without fins?

[MauiScubaSteve]

The dive boat I work on has "instructs" all divers to put fins on before standing and take fins off before climbing. Our rental fins are full foot and all but one guide wear full foot so there are trips where no one could loop straps over wrists.

Luckily; we dive multiple Islands, there is usually a side that is calm, we would never take tourist divers in rough seas. Sometimes there is chop and sometimes there is current but there is a line behind the boat to hold on to. It is better to cancel on days where seas are rough; no puking, no unhappy divers because it wasn't pretty, no injuries.

 

[Walter]

When do you put them on?

Depends on the situation. I've been known to put them on during my descent. Of course, I sometimes put on my mask during my descent as well. Typically, I'll sit at the stern to put on my fins, then stand and a step or two later I'm in the water. I don't usually walk distances on the boat wearing fins. Walking with fins on causes flat places where your face used to be.

In Key Largo, Sea Dwellers III has a christmas tree ladder that I do climb while wearing my fins. The difference is they have a seat on the swim platform right beside the ladder. Climb the ladder, sit, take off fins, stand, and walk to your seat.

 

[Teamcasa]

... I don't usually walk distances on the boat wearing fins. Walking with fins on causes flat places where your face used to be.

Not a problem with these.

In Key Largo, Sea Dwellers III has a christmas tree ladder that I do climb while wearing my fins. The difference is they have a seat on the swim platform right beside the ladder. Climb the ladder, sit, take off fins, stand, and walk to your seat.

Here in SoCal, most of the boats ask you to remove your fins before climbing up the ladder. There is always a crew member to help and you are only to do so after you are hanging onto or sitting on the swim step. (A few people remove the weight pockets as well.)
It's a rare event that once you remove your fins that you do not go directly up the ladder. Should you loose your grip and are unable to get back to the step, that crew member is there to jump in and give you a hand.

That's how many of the boats out here are. Flop up on the step, remove your fins and get on board.

 

[fnfalman]

That's how many of the boats out here are. Flop up on the step, remove your fins and get on board.

And even if we were to lose our handhold/footing and fell back into the ocean finless, all we have to do is tell the divemaster/deck hand to throw the fins back to us.

I suppose the fins-around-the-wrist thing is cool for some people, but as far as I'm concerned it's a hindrance and a safety issue. You got crap flopping around your wrist, slapping about, catching on things when you try to climb up a ladder with around 70-100lbs of gear on your back.

 

[Walter]

Not a problem with these

True, but I wouldn't do that to myself.

That's how many of the boats out here are. Flop up on the step

Nope. They have a seat, you don't flop on the top step.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

If you have not tried swimming in scuba gear without fins, or with just one fin, it is a good practice exercise (in controlled conditions ). You'll learn you are not helpless, but will also learn you are not go anywhere in a hurry

I think it is important to consider the possible consequences of finding yourself on the surface without fins and unable inflate your BC for some reason.... could you dump enough weight to stay on the surface, would you need to ditch your entire rig?

As far as handing off fins..... I politely refuse, and slip them over my wrist. Same thing for shore diving, always slip them over my wrist (it is a real bummer to get knocked down by a wave or surge, lose your fins because you didn't put the strap on your wrist, get sucked back into deeper water.... then your buddies nearly pee themselves with laughter.... don't ask ).

Fins on wrist unless they are on your feet, saves the humiliation of losing them

Best wishes.

 

[tflaris]

I have developed the pratice of putting them on my arms before climbing back onto the boat whether O/W or Tech Diving.

Unless you had a really strong Dolphin kick I don't see you going anywhere without fins. Espically in doubles.


Safe Diving

Tony Flaris
NAUI #44662
SSI #26849

 

[Teamcasa]

And even if we were to lose our handhold/footing and fell back into the ocean finless, all we have to do is tell the divemaster/deck hand to throw the fins back to us....

That's too easy. Again, a fin bracelet is a solution for which there is no problem. (When diving from a decent dive operation. All beach, shore diving caveats apply.)

 

[Scott L]

And even if we were to lose our handhold/footing and fell back into the ocean finless, all we have to do is tell the divemaster/deck hand to throw the fins back to us.

I suppose the fins-around-the-wrist thing is cool for some people, but as far as I'm concerned it's a hindrance and a safety issue. You got crap flopping around your wrist, slapping about, catching on things when you try to climb up a ladder with around 70-100lbs of gear on your back.

Most of us do not have your danglies, Air2 contraptions, etc. floppying about...

 

[Teamcasa]

Most of us do not have your danglies, Air2 contraptions, etc. floppying about...

Obviously, you have not ever been on a dive with him.