Spring Straps Danger!?

[Genesis]

It is indeed a potential risk.

So is your strap breaking at 100'+.

Choose your risks. There is no such thing as a risk-free experience. You get to pick which is the more important risk to manage.

BTW, if you DO get a line in there like that it won't come free "real easily" nor will it "slip free" if the spring shifts a bit and clamps down on it.

The risk they describe is real, particularly with cable (or wire leader!), but to get a "full wrap" would be difficult.

My defense to that particular problem is a pair of EMT shears. Anything that can fit in the spring coils those things can easily cut.

 

[diverdeb001]

When it comes right down to it,.. all fins have some sort of buckle or latch that could potentially get a piece of fishing line caught around it. I've had less problems with fins coming off etc. since I started using the coil straps. It wouldn't be too hard to cover the exposed coil anyway.
Another question about coil straps. I'd like to put a bit of a tab on mine in the middle to help pull them off my heels. Any ideas?? db

 

[O-ring]

diverdeb001 once bubbled...
When it comes right down to it,.. all fins have some sort of buckle or latch that could potentially get a piece of fishing line caught around it. I've had less problems with fins coming off etc. since I started using the coil straps. It wouldn't be too hard to cover the exposed coil anyway.
Another question about coil straps. I'd like to put a bit of a tab on mine in the middle to help pull them off my heels. Any ideas?? db

What about sewing a loop of webbing around it?

 

[pipedope]

Yes, there is a small risk of entanglement with the spring.
The line cannot get all the way around the spring so it will just 'pull out'.
There is also a risk of entangling on the tank valve/1st stage, the mouthpiece of the bungied second, the clip on the SPG, etc. etc. etc..

Be aware that it can happen so that you can deal with it if it does.
Then don't worry too much about it.

 

[jplacson]

Switch to a full-foot fin! :lol:

Seriously, the only reason we use open heel is out of convenience... the 'protection' of wearing booties...and the ease of manufacturing (S-M-L vs different foot sizes)

I wonder why they don't make fin straps out of nylon webbing with a small rubber patch (much like our tank straps) and double velcro locks.

 

[Boogie711]

Switch to a full-foot fin!

Full foot fins are completely impractical in most of North America. Especially around New York or anywhere that ISN'T the Florida Keys.

And it isn't 'protection'. It's protection, without quotes. You try walking around some of the dive sites I dive in without hard soled boots on. Have fun with it.

Even in warm water climates, it isn't fun stepping on a sea urchin or piece of shell on a beach entry. Maybe if the only diving you ever do is on a boat in nice warm water, you can get away with full foot fins. I sure as heck can't.

And I make my own spring straps, and love 'em.

 

[jplacson]

:lol: ya, it was... well, a partial joke.

Full-foot fins are more efficient than open heeled fins.

Open-heeled fins offer the protection of booties (no quotes )

For some reason... dive gear manufacturers have decided to improve almost every single piece of gear... use titanium for knives & regs, kevlar for BC bladders, they even use titanium in wetsuits!!!

But they still keep mask & fin straps as the most breakable parts of your gear...using the most fragile materials available!

Velcro mask straps have been around for ages, yet mask manufacturers never use them as standard. They use rubber or silicone.. both break easily and are annoying to slip over your head since they grab your hair... if you want more grip, then its easy to add a rubber patch to the neoprene back... it adds grip without sacrificing strength

Spring straps have been around for ages as well, yet fin makers (specially ScubaPro) still stick to breakable rubber straps..Mares still uses those plastic buckles that break. (If they want to puch for their ABS...I suggest they use metal buckles)

 

[VTernovski]

it's not an option for drysuit divers.

jplacson once bubbled...
Switch to a full-foot fin! :lol:

Seriously, the only reason we use open heel is out of convenience... the 'protection' of wearing booties...and the ease of manufacturing (S-M-L vs different foot sizes)

I wonder why they don't make fin straps out of nylon webbing with a small rubber patch (much like our tank straps) and double velcro locks.

 

[5615mike]

That's why you cover them with plastic tubing. If you make it right the tubing will be bound back together and there will be no exposed spring to catch.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Springs stretch!!! So when it's on your foot the ends will be exposed. The Halcyon strapss look like they use webbing, maybe it's a little longer than the spring to compensate for this, but I can't tell from the picture.

But I don't know how you could avoid this using the plastic tubing.