DIY Pull Tab for Spring Straps - Look OK???

[scott7685]

Background - my wife signed up my son and I for an OW course a few years ago...if she only knew the monsters she was creating.

Fast forward and it's already time to update our gear from the traditional / rental type stuff we used in our initial PADI courses to "funner" stuff. In addition to moving over to BP/W setups, I picked up a couple of pair of ScubaPro Jet fins for both of us. Love everything about them except removing the strap especially in exposure gloves we use in upstate NY.

I read through all the various threads I could find on this topic, looked at all of the various purchase options, and decided that ~3 cents worth of nylon line was the best option. Added these little braided nylon pull tabs.

Shouldn't be a horrible, right? I don't think the loop is big enough to risk snagging too much, but still can get a 5mm or 7mm index finger through them.

(in addition to making it easier to remove, also hopeful it makes us less likely to drop them as we remove in-water since they are neg. buoyant...my son lost one in such a manner when we were diving the Spiegel Grove last year...it was pos. buoyant but current was ripping and she was long gone)

 

[NaCl H2O]

It's not a bad idea, but I think the lop may go under the strap, unless it is rigid with super glue?
Maybe a rubber spacer (anti vibration) in the loop would give you something to grab and keep it in place?

 

[scott7685]

It's not a bad idea, but I think the lop may go under the strap, unless it is rigid with super glue?
Maybe a rubber spacer (anti vibration) in the loop would give you something to grab and keep it in place?

I like the rubber spacer idea....also not a bad idea to stiffen up where the tabs pull out with a little CA glue. The previous pics didn't show it, but I used a series of half hitches to wrap it (see new pic attached) which should prevent the loop from getting underneath/on top/inside.

 

[MB NZ]

Thread 'Fin spring strap tabs'

Sep 12, 2023

Looking at previous posts, I'm not the only person who has had fin spring strap tabs break. I tried to do without, but it doesn't work for me and was looking for a simple, reliable fix. Shock cord to the rescue. 5mm cord is a bit stiffer than thinner cord and stands proud. With a tight knot, the cord can't move over the spring, so stays where you want it.

• MB NZ
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Fins, Masks & Snorkels

• 

 

[Brett Hatch]

I think what you have will work just fine

One other idea you can try, that my buddy does. He keeps a large double-ender boltsnap clipped to his harness while diving. When it comes time to remove his fins, he reaches down, clips the double-ender to the spring strap, and uses that as a handle to pull off the fin. Once both fins are off, he uses the same double-ender to clip the two fins together, which makes them easy to carry

Cheers

 

[Still Kicking]

In 25 years of using spring straps i have never felt the need for pull tabs. I just jam my finger in the space at the side of my foot and run it to the middle of the heel. But if you need them, your solution is about as streamlined as I could imagine.

 

[scott7685]

I think what you have will work just fine

One other idea you can try, that my buddy does. He keeps a large double-ender boltsnap clipped to his harness while diving. When it comes time to remove his fins, he reaches down, clips the double-ender to the spring strap, and uses that as a handle to pull off the fin. Once both fins are off, he uses the same double-ender to clip the two fins together, which makes them easy to carry

Cheers

Love this idea too...need to find my bag o' marine bolt snaps and give it a try

 

[scott7685]

Thread 'Fin spring strap tabs'

Sep 12, 2023

Looking at previous posts, I'm not the only person who has had fin spring strap tabs break. I tried to do without, but it doesn't work for me and was looking for a simple, reliable fix. Shock cord to the rescue. 5mm cord is a bit stiffer than thinner cord and stands proud. With a tight knot, the cord can't move over the spring, so stays where you want it.

• MB NZ
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Fins, Masks & Snorkels

• 

yepper - tried that too ...just didn't love the "double" stretchiness of the elastic cord and spring strap combined...the nylon loop made it faster

 

[scott7685]

In 25 years of using spring straps i have never felt the need for pull tabs. I just jam my finger in the space at the side of my foot and run it to the middle of the heel. But if you need them, your solution is about as streamlined as I could imagine.

probably not DIR, but hey it's pretty darn streamlined, right?

 

[MB NZ]

yepper - tried that too ...just didn't love the "double" stretchiness of the elastic cord and spring strap combined...the nylon loop made it faster

Whatever works. I just use the shock cord to pull the fin straps off my heel, then get a finger behind the fin strap.