Spring bands

[silverfish88]

I just bought a pair of OMS slipstream fins for my tech diving class. However, they came with rubber heel straps. I was told that I have to get metal springs for them. I have looked on line and found 4 or 5 different bands ranging from $30 to $100. Does it matter which ones I get? One person told me that I had to get the $100 springs b/c they were "DIR acceptable and the others were not." How much truth is in this? Are there certain brands that you need to get? Thanks in advance for any light you guys can shed on this topic.

 

[Walter]

I was told that I have to get metal springs for them.

Were you told why you have to get spring straps? You certainly can get spring straps, but they are not a requirement.

 

[silverfish88]

The guy I bought them from down in Florida said that I needed springs (but he did not have them) "in order to be in compliance with DIR specs." I do not know too much about the DIR code but looked into getting them b/c the are SUPPOSED to be better. True?

 

[Walter]

Lots of folks believe DIR is best. Others don't. Perhaps you should research them and decide if that's the way you want to go before jumping in blindly. If you do decide to go DIR, you'll most likely be taking classes with GUE. I would suggest discussing equipment requirements with your instructor before making purchases.

 

[MBH]

Most "tech" instruction will require you have your qriginal straps taped (the dangly ends are notorious for snagging line) or will suggest spring straps. Most folks who switch to springs love them, I know I do. The least expensive springs are made by Manta and they work just as well as the most expensive ones.

 

[silverfish88]

Thanks for all the great info. My tech class does not start until next month. It was one of the guys that I dive with that suggested that I have either slipstreams or jet fins for the class. When I bought the slipstreams, the guy I bought them from suggested the springs. However, it seems logical to talk to my instructor to see what is really necessary. Thanks for the input though. I apprecaite it.

 

[coldsmoke]

FWIW - DIR does not "require" spring straps nor many of the other things that people seem to think that it does.

I was talking to a guy the other day and the same thing. It's frustrating to me the amount of misinformation that seems to be out there regarding DIR.

I have only taken one GUE class so I am not the most qualified to chime in here, but I think I can safely say that while there are some basic equipment rules, the main idea behind DIR is the attitude and the manner in which you approach the dive.

As far as I know the only equipment rules are:
1. BP/Wing
2. One-Piece hog style harness
3. Stiff non-split fins
4. Cutting device located properly
5. Light for signaling/communicating*
6. Depth/Timing device or computer in gauge mode*

*Not really sure if the last two are rules or not, but they are pretty accepted as necessary I think.

If you do bigger dives then you might need to add more equipment. These might be:
1. Doubles
2. Drysuit
3. Powerful can style primary light and backups
4. Deco bottles
5. Scooters
6. spools, reels, lift bags, smbs
7. etc, etc.


There are ways in which DIR will address setting up or rigging all of the above that are more conducive to the team concept, that reduce drag, and improve safety, but it certainly doesn't mandate whether you have spring straps or not or whether you buy Halcyon, Apeks, or DUI.

If I have made any false or incomplete statements please feel free to correct me.

Hunter

 

[silverfish88]

These all sound like good points Hunter. I don't know enough to comment. In general, I listen a closely to what people have to say when I am a novice at something. If they say that I am supposed to get something, and they don'e even have it so I know that they are not looking to make a profit on something, I guess I would believe them. I think you are right though in that a lot of people have beliefs about DIR but unless you look it up and know it is true for sure, then you can't believe it all. Reading about DIR is on my list of things to do. I think I like the concepts but I want to know more about it. Thanks.

 

[coldsmoke]

I wasn't intending to direct my frustrations towards you. I am sorry if I came across that way.

What I was frustrated at was the guy who told you that spring straps were required. He obviously knows almost nothing about DIR and here he was "educating" you about it.

BTW - spring straps are great and I certainly recommend them. I can't think of a downside but I can think of plenty for the rubber straps.

Hunter

 

[Colliam7]

My tech class does not start until next month. It was one of the guys that I dive with that suggested that I have either slipstreams or jet fins for the class. When I bought the slipstreams, the guy I bought them from suggested the springs. However, it seems logical to talk to my instructor to see what is really necessary.

Sounds like a plan. Lots of folks use, and recommend, Jets for tech diving. Great fins, good propulsion, nice and negative. But, the rubber straps are no more or less durable than most, which means a strap will probably break at the least opportune time.

The least expensive springs are made by Manta and they work just as well as the most expensive ones.

I have Mantas on both my Quattros and my Jets. Great gear investment. I hate the Mares buckles to begin with, and having a strap break is truly annoying.