Where were you first introduced to the Back Kick?

[BluewaterSail]

I found a recent post asking the same question about the Frog Kick interesting. The OP of that post assumed that divers would have been introduced to many of the "Advanced Kicks" at the same time, but I wonder.

So when did you start trying to do a Back Kick, that valuable tool for being where you want to be?

 

[TSandM]

The idea of good trim and non-silting propulsion was introduced to me by my mentor, but the back kick came out of Fundies.

 

[g1138]

I was first introduced to the back kick after taking an interest in getting an SMB and finger spool. After viewing many videos of SMB launches and configs on youtube, I eventually came across various videos of back kicks, helicopter turns etc etc.
That's when I really started trying to improve my existing kicks and learn new kicks.

Compared to the other thread, I was introed to Frog kicks first. After seeing videos of all the specialty kicks, I began to actually practice.

 

[DevonDiver]

I wasn't formally taught a back kick until taking the ANDI Technical Wreck course. However, it was something I initially began working as a self-taught development way back during my early years as a tech diver.

I now teach back kick from PADI Wreck Diver course onwards.

Helicopter turns and Modified Flutter from AOW and Frog Kick on OW.

 

[BluewaterSail]

I wasn't formally taught a back kick until taking the ANDI Technical Wreck course. However, it was something I initially began working as a self-taught development way back during my early years as a tech diver.

I now teach back kick from PADI Wreck Diver course onwards.

Helicopter turns and Modified Flutter from AOW and Frog Kick on OW.

Andy,
Is the back kick now part of PADI's suggested curriculum for Wreck Diver, or was that your idea to add it?

Linda

 

[DevonDiver]

Andy,
Is the back kick now part of PADI's suggested curriculum for Wreck Diver, or was that your idea to add it?

Linda

Hi Linda,

It's what I do on my courses - it isn't part of the PADI curriculum. Wreck Dive 1 covers it, and many other things:

Maintain neutral buoyancy and body position so that the bottom is avoided.

If a diver has to turn 360 degrees to exit the wreck - and do so whilst maintaining horizontal trim and buoyancy control... then they need the helicopter turn.

If a diver has to reverse inside a wreck, where turning would risk entanglement - and do so whilst maintaining horizontal trim and buoyancy control... then they need the back kick.

Wreck course:

Dive 1 is skills - fin kicks, hover, trim, buoyancy.
Dive 2 is mapping/navigation/risk assessment, along with gas management.
Dive 3 is guideline skills and procedures, including 'blind' drills.
Dive 4 is penetration and guideline practice.

Outside of the tech syllabus, the only other course I teach back-kick on is photography... or on specialist/tailored diving clinics.

 

[Hawkwood]

I just figured it out through "trial and error".

I now show students during PPB along with the frog kick.

 

[BabyDuck]

i heard about it here on sb, saw a couple of videos, and actually got instruction from trace malinowski. i had some bits of it a month later for cavern class, and really really got it a couple of months later after practice by myself. so my first introduction was here, in print.

 

[BluewaterSail]

Thanks all for your replies!

Myself, I first learned about the Back Kick in GUE Primer, but my finned feet just couldn't do it. It took me a few months of failed in-water attempts, including pool time, and watching of video on the web, before I finally got it.

It's such a wonderful tool when you want to look at someing up close in the coral without worrying about bashing into it!

 

[rongoodman]

I heard about it here and first saw it in Fundies, but actually learned it in Ed Hayes' Buoyancy classes.