Split fins?

[vladimir]

There is a very simple method for determing the best fins for technical diving applications. Simply research the fins worn by the best divers in the world such as Jarrod Jablonski, Casey McKinley, John Chatterton, etc. They would not be caught dead with split fins in their immediate vicinity.

That might give you an indication, but is there any reason to think that Jarrod, Casey, and John have tested split fins? If they have, is there any reason to think that they are freer from bias than, say, Belce and fnfalman in this thread? If they've been using paddles successfully for a lifetime of diving, what would their incentive be to adjust to splits?

I would like some objective measure: repeated testing by a robot in a pool, for example, or simulated on a computer or in a wind (water) tunnel.

 

[Sas]

There is a very simple method for determing the best fins for technical diving applications. Simply research the fins worn by the best divers in the world such as Jarrod Jablonski, Casey McKinley, John Chatterton, etc. They would not be caught dead with split fins in their immediate vicinity. Recreational divers? Different story...

I believe John Chatterton uses Force Fins?

 

[Roko]

If you look there is a split between the blades in the propeller isn't it? You don't see a single blade propellers too often do you?

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

But also let this be a commentary on the absurdity of the "my fins can beat up your fins" topic.

 

[Scott L]

I just realized this thread is in the basic forum. Sorry for my focus on tec diving...

 

[Scott L]

That might give you an indication, but is there any reason to think that Jarrod, Casey, and John have tested split fins? If they have, is there any reason to think that they are freer from bias than, say, Belce and fnfalman in this thread? If they've been using paddles successfully for a lifetime of diving, what would their incentive be to adjust to splits?

I would like some objective measure: repeated testing by a robot in a pool, for example, or simulated on a computer or in a wind (water) tunnel.

I am sure they have. Extreme Exposure is a full service tec and rec LDS which carries all Scubapro products...I have never witnessed a cave diver or ocean tec diver with a doubles configuration use split fins...

 

[Sas]

I have never witnessed a cave diver or ocean tec diver with a doubles configuration use split fins...

Really?? I have, on a number of occassions, both cave diving and in the ocean.

Here is a recent video that came out on the caves near me: http://www.outer-edge.com.au/images/stories/books_dvds/mtgambier.jpg

 

[elmer fudd]

So I started out today diving a new pair of Hollis F-1's. Turns out they were a little small and were causing my feet to cramp up badly. My buddy who usually dives Apollo Bio-fins wanted to try some paddle fins, so we switched off mid-dive.

So after a side by side test of what are both considered to be decent examples of paddle and split fins, here's what I thought.

1) Splits don't frog kick worth squat. Sure you can do it, but not very well at all. Paddles have them totally beat in this regard.

2) The split fins were faster swimming on my back on the surface. Not sure why, but if it were purely a surface swim contest I'd pick the splits hands down.

3) Underwater, I really don't know. The split fins definitely have much less resistance for each kick cycle, but then again, they also don't push you very far with each kick. If I set a fast cadence I seemed to keep up a very good pace, but I also sucked down more air than usual. Of course I would use more air going fast with paddles too, so without doing some timed and measured comparisons there's not much to say here. I think there is a tendency to exert yourself more with split fins though. I notice sometimes that my buddy is sometimes really finning fast and I have to signal him to slow down. The thing is, when he does this he really goes through his air. While I was using the Bio-fins though, I found myself doing the same thing and my air consumption showed it.

I think that because there is so little resistance with split fins it becomes more aerobic exercise than anaerobic. My buddy was remarking at the end of the dive with paddles that his thighs and calves felt like he had been on a stair stepper.

After all was said and done, neither one of us wanted to switch the type of fins we were using. I went back to the dive shop to get the F-1's in a larger size and he decided that he wanted to stick with splits and just get some spring straps.

 

[fnfalman]

Really?? I have, on a number of occassions, both cave diving and in the ocean.

Here is a recent video that came out on the caves near me: http://www.outer-edge.com.au/images/stories/books_dvds/mtgambier.jpg

That diver is gonna die!!! Doesn't he/she know that them infernal split fins wouldn't displace no POWAHH?!!

 

[fnfalman]

There is a very simple method for determing the best fins for technical diving applications. Simply research the fins worn by the best divers in the world such as Jarrod Jablonski, Casey McKinley, John Chatterton, etc. They would not be caught dead with split fins in their immediate vicinity. Recreational divers? Different story...

Didn't Jablonski and his company (H) just came out with some sort of non-DIR newfangled harness called The Infinity?

Yeah, you're right. Recreational divers = different story. We don't dive with 3-7 different gas mixes. We don't penetrate caves and wrecks. We don't do deco.

Do you use the same gears to scale Mount Everest to go and do a regular hill?

 

[fnfalman]

BTW: If you have better lift you can spend less energy towards lift and more on horizontal movement.

Then perhaps divers should start using bigger air bladders in BCs to supply more lift so that they can spend more energy toward horizontal movement?