Monofins. Are they any good?

[ZzzKing]

Do you really think this is a necessary OW skill? I can dolphin kick (from swimming) but see absolutely no reason that any scuba diver needs this in their skill set.

What if you're trying to hide in the middle of a pod of dolphins?

 

[Wilson]

I'll bet James Bond can Dolphin kick.

 

[Wilson]

Also could work for applying spackle compound to large areas

 

[Walter]

Do you really think this is a necessary OW skill? I can dolphin kick (from swimming) but see absolutely no reason that any scuba diver needs this in their skill set.

Yes. It's the best kick if you've lost a fin.

 

[soudan]

with those fins you will not be able to maneuver as much as you can with a pair of regular fins, actually i think it will be really hard to maneuver right or left at all with out using your arms. (like walking with your legs tied)
so unless you are a serious free diver, you don't need them.

Soudan.

 

[MSilvia]

Do you really think this is a necessary OW skill? I can dolphin kick (from swimming) but see absolutely no reason that any scuba diver needs this in their skill set.

It's a great kick for breaking the neck seal on a drysuit too. I got myself nice and soggy screwing around with that kick on my way back from a shore dive one day not long ago.

 

[Wilson]

The freedivers I've seen use them also appeared to be in very good physical condition. I would guess it would take an awful lot of strength to consistently work that blade under water.

 

[freediver]

My advice if you're going to use a monofin for anything? Start in the pool, stay shallow and stay near the edge so you'll have something to grab onto! <Cough, hack, gasp>
They are fun for freediving but awkwardly fun.

 

[Gary D.]

Do you really think this is a necessary OW skill? I can dolphin kick (from swimming) but see absolutely no reason that any scuba diver needs this in their skill set.

Not only for a lost fin, which I’m sure there are a few that will say that’s impossible for them to do.

But it’s a good kick for an injured lower limb or just to take a bit of a rest. There are lots of uses for it and the scuba police aren’t going to arrest you for trying it anytime you feel like it.

As far as the Mono Fin goes I have to agree that it is best suited for dry wallers.

Gary D.

 

[rawls]

Do you really think this is a necessary OW skill? I can dolphin kick (from swimming) but see absolutely no reason that any scuba diver needs this in their skill set.

A student is definitely not going to be taught a dolphin kick in OW certs because they will suck enough as it is doing normal fin kicks...They are bicycling all over the place. Now class...next thing we are going to do today is the dolphin kick

But...I agree with Walter that it is a skill that a diver needs to learn, just as is a frog kick. There are situations where you need to know all three. I use a modified dolphin kick when I am in small narrow places on a wreck so as not to stir up silt. I know a newly certified student isn't going to drop right into one of these areas...hope not at least...but it is a good skill to have...Any skill is a good skill and the more the better....