Skills for OW Divers at all time low, new Gear solution for skills problem

[danvolker]

My point is that peak control Buoyancy should be taught in Basic OW or in AOW...and if it was, there would be no market for such a foolish dive product as this..... In fairness, it makes excellent sense for Surfers paddling onto a wave....Divers are supposed to get propulsion from the fins on their feet, and they are not supposed to swim with their hands!!!

 

[uncfnp]

OMG! I thought this was a joke until I did a google search. Still think it is a joke...

 

[danvolker]

OMG! I thought this was a joke until I did a google search. Still think it is a joke...

I wish !

The Darkfin Advantage | Darkfin

 

[phoenix31tt]

My point is that peak control Buoyancy should be taught in Basic OW or in AOW...and if it was, there would be no market for such a foolish dive product as this..

agreed...

and lol if i see a diver doing free style swim using these...

 

[rhwestfall]

Dove once with a disabled diver who used them (or a version of them)....

 

[uncfnp]

Swimming paddles are actually pretty common but I have never seen them marketed for diving. But I could see how they may be helpful to certain special populations, such as a disabled diver. These however look like nothing but a marketing gimmick.

 

[elmer fudd]

View attachment 157411

My point is that peak control Buoyancy should be taught in Basic OW or in AOW...and if it was, there would be no market for such a foolish dive product as this..... In fairness, it makes excellent sense for Surfers paddling onto a wave....Divers are supposed to get propulsion from the fins on their feet, and they are not supposed to swim with their hands!!!

Heh, heh, heh! I actually have a pair of those tucked away somewhere. They were cheap enough and I was curious so I decided to check them out. I'm basically an iconoclast and have a bit of a compulsion to test conventional wisdom and see if there is anything to it. In this case, hand swimming.

As it turns out, they really aren't half bad gloves, but they're not well suited to scuba diving. The biggest problem with them is that they interfere with hand signals. That webbing makes it difficult to tell how many fingers are being held up or if someone is really making an OK sign. And, in my experience, hand swimming really isn't practical even with webbing between your fingers. Even if you don't have a problem with using your hands for turns and small adjustments, webbing just isn't at all necessary, you really won't notice that you turn any faster with these on. You probably do, but the difference is pretty insignificant.

The other issue is that they are latex and they need special treatment if they're not going to shrink and harden. You've got to keep these things sealed up in a ziplock or something similar.

They're way warmer than they have any business being. The wrist seal is completely water tight and despite having no insulation they kept my hands warmer than some neoprene gloves I have worn. They also allow for very good dexterity. The gloves themselves are thin and the webbing is attached to the backs of your fingers.


If you're looking for a good glove for swimming in lakes or rivers while backpacking, they would be excellent.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

View attachment 157411

My point is that peak control Buoyancy should be taught in Basic OW or in AOW...and if it was, there would be no market for such a foolish dive product as this..... In fairness, it makes excellent sense for Surfers paddling onto a wave....Divers are supposed to get propulsion from the fins on their feet, and they are not supposed to swim with their hands!!!

I believe these were designed for handicapped divers who don't have the option of paddling with their feet ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[danvolker]

I believe these were designed for handicapped divers who don't have the option of paddling with their feet ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I saw it in an ad to be used for surfing, and for normal scuba diving....
See their copy :







Scuba:
Not since the jet fin was invented has there been a product that allowed those participating in water sports more control and maneuverability in the water.
Surge control...hands, turning...hands, reverse motion and micro adjustments...hands! We have spent a lot of time in the water with these gloves but more important we watch others in the water. Some master divers insist they don't use their hands for propulsion because of their inefficiency. Darkfin gloves are the answer to that problem. Darkfin can increase hand efficiency by increasing surface area as much as 70%. Also, when used in unison with your feet Darkfin gloves can dramatically increase your swim speed.
For forward and upward propulsion keep your hands to your side as usual; open the fingers as little or as much as you want and fin in the same natural motion as used with your feet. You’re going to be surprised.



I would forward this to Abernethy though, for his Operation Blue Pride divers....for them, and for surfers, these make sense.....

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Im thinking that some folks just don't fully understand the concept of proper UW manual propulsion techniques.... perfectly demonstrated by Mike Nelson. (FYI....check out Lloyds son....Jeff....... the "Little Lebowski" in this episode).

Now those were the days.... save the world, then back to the boat to a hot babe and a Lucky Strike!! "Da-Da-Daaaaa"


[video=youtube;WePn77zvTkI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WePn77zvTkI[/video]