"Observations show an average 260 touches per one hour dive for a party of four."

[uncfnp]

Ah, thanks for the primary literature. I can track the details down.

"Taking the mean values from both the shore and boat dives, kicking and touching the reef substrate with fins was by far the most common form of contact(81.4%), followed by touching and holding with hands(10.1%). Most contacts (79.8%) caused minor damage(touch or scrape), almost half (49.0%) resulted in there-suspension of sediment, and a small proportion(4.1%) caused major damage, i.e. caused breakage. Fin kicks accounted for the greatest proportion of each type of contact: 95.2% (n¼138) of major damage,78.5% (n¼2228) of minor damage, and 90.8%(n¼1581) of re-suspended sediment. Divers holding onto the substrate with their hands and resting against the substrate with their knees were the next most problematic actions, followed by loose, dangling equipment (gauges and alternative air sources ‘octo-puses’) which brushed against and knocked into the reef."

Reading the definition I am not sure I can entirely discount the findings, especially given the “average diver.” I tend to think of contact as either consciously done, grabbing coral/sponge, or unintentional, as in kicking over coral/sponge. Something that causes obvious insult to the reef. And yes, dangling gear is a problem.

But yes, if you look at all the incidental touches I am sure it all does add up. Carefully placing a finger to adjust momentum/trajectory, fin tips that brush soft coral. A hand that slides past some fire coral. But not sure that this approach gives the best reflection of our impact on the reef.

 

[ChuckP]

Fin kicks are the number one problem I see - I’d guess 50% of folks have no idea of the sand they lift off the bottom.

I love swim thrus down here and will typically take the back spot just in a helping keep track of folks kind of way, nothing like following a cloud of sand

 

[The Chairman]

In 1969 I bought my first pair of Jet fins from a shop on the corner of Bumby and Colonial in Orlando Fl. One of the main selling points was that I could kick the crap out of the reef without harming the fin. No, really, that was actually said and I believed him.

It's my estimation that neutral buoyancy and staying off the reef is at its strongest right now. Yes, we need to do better and I believe that the renewed interest in no-kneel teaching will be a strong part of that improvement.

 

[MrBigfins]

Fin kicks are the number one problem I see - I’d guess 50% of folks have no idea of the sand they lift off the bottom.

I love swim thrus down here and will typically take the back spot just in a helping keep track of folks kind of way, nothing like following a cloud of sand

Frog kick is an amazing tool
I started working hard on my frog kick after I followed someone through a swimthrough for the first time. Even when contact isn't made, the flutter kicks reverberates much further than most people realize.

 

[GameChanger]

Frog kick is an amazing tool
I started working hard on my frog kick after I followed someone through a swimthrough for the first time. Even when contact isn't made, the flutter kicks reverberates much further than most people realize.

This is why I hate most swimthrough's. I seem to always get behind a Michael Phelp's wannabee who kicks up a storm of sand and runs into the minimal surviving coral in them. On my last trip, I told the DM's that I would just trail the group on the reef above the swimthroughs. I had several other divers concur and join me.

 

[MrBigfins]

This is why I hate most swimthrough's. I seem to always get behind a Michael Phelp's wannabee who kicks up a storm of sand and runs into the minimal surviving coral in them. On my last trip, I told the DM's that I would just trail the group on the reef above the swimthroughs. I had several other divers concur and join me.

Depends on the group and my mood, sometimes I do the swimthrough and sometimes I ride above and follow the bubbles.

 

[Diver below 83]

Frog kick is an amazing tool
I started working hard on my frog kick after I followed someone through a swimthrough for the first time. Even when contact isn't made, the flutter kicks reverberates much further than most people realize.

this. Thankfully my instructor was a marine diver and he basically lives on using only the frog kick. Needless to say throughout my entire OW training I was trying to mimic his style and kick. On one of my first boat dives we had a swim through in st marteen. Everyone in front of me was kicking sand and crap everywhere. That’s where I realized just how much better the frog kick really is and why so many experienced divers love it.

Since then I’ve taken a notice to how many vacation divers nail the reefs and sand with their fins and kick styles. It’s kind of shocking how little people actually pay attention to what their doing. Especially when they add a go pro.

 

[MrBigfins]

this. Thankfully my instructor was a marine diver and he basically lives on using only the frog kick. Needless to say throughout my entire OW training I was trying to mimic his style and kick. On one of my first boat dives we had a swim through in st marteen. Everyone in front of me was kicking sand and crap everywhere. That’s where I realized just how much better the frog kick really is and why so many experienced divers love it.

Since then I’ve taken a notice to how many vacation divers nail the reefs and sand with their fins and kick styles. It’s kind of shocking how little people actually pay attention to what their doing. Especially when they add a go pro.

My instructor exclusively uses the frog kick unless chasing someone, I didn't understand the advantage until that sandstorm moment in the swimthrough. It was after this incident that I focused on improving my technique. Not to mention I found it less strenuous. Local quarry diving here you see the reprocussions of poor trim or kicks easily, silt outs.

 

[Kharon]

Mexico has a rule that you have to stay a certain distance from any whale shark. What would be wrong with a rule that divers have to stay 3M off the reef unless they have total buoyancy control, and even then must be searching for macro life or photographing macro life and hover for no more than 1-3 minutes. Obviously I'm dreaming.

 

[doctormike]

Perhaps "touching" in this context is including any bodily/gear contacts (e.g. fins, wetsuit, hoses, regs).

Does this count?