Scuba fins, swimfins, dive fins or flippers are fin-like items made to wear only on feet, legs or hands. These are built of rubber, plastic, carbon fiber or just a combination of the three. It is to assist motion through the water in outdoor sports activities such as swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling or spearfishing. Also in bodyboarding, bodysurfing, float-tube fishing, kneeboarding, riverboarding, underwater hockey, underwater rugby and various kinds of underwater diving activities.

Scuba Fins Overview

A swimfin consists of a propulsion blade and an attempt to tie the blade to the user’s foot. Underwater hockey and rugby players wear full-foot or open-heel fins to conquer the resistance properties generated by their diving gear. Scuba divers require large and wide fins. Relatively small styles allow swimmers, bodysurfers and lifeguards to remain on their feet while moving through big waves.

History

Early innovators, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Giovanni Alfonso Borelli, dealt with its idea of swim fins, drawing inspiration from ducks’ feet. Benjamin Franklin managed to make a couple of initial swim fins intended for hands. It was when he was a young boy living in Boston, Massachusetts close the Charles River; they were two small pieces of wood, about the appearance of the an artist’s palette, that permitted him to move more quickly than he normally did in the water.

Innovations

Louis de Corlieu [fr], Lieutenant Commander in the French Navy, invented modern swimfins. Corlieu gave a clear example about his first design to a group of navy officers in 1914. Including Yves le Prieur, who created an early generation of scuba set years later in 1926. Corlieu chose to leave the French Navy in 1924 to dedicate himself entirely to his invention. In April 1933, he submitted a patent number 767013, that included two spoon-shaped fins for the hands in combination with two fins for the feet, and dubbed this tool as “swimming and rescue propulsion device.”

Importance of using Scuba Fins

Swimfins allow the user to keep moving through water quite effectively. As human feet are just too small and molded incorrectly to get some much thrust. Simple, stiff-bladed fins have been helpful for bodysurfing and are suitable for short bursts of speed and manoeuvrability. Freedivers’ use of very lengthy fins and monofins for aquatic propulsion does not necessitate high-frequency leg movement. This increases efficiency while decreasing oxygen intake.

The primary function of scuba fins is to assist divers in progressing more quickly and effectively underwater with the shortest amount of time potential. Divers no longer have to use their hands to keep moving underwater because fins provide such a larger area to push and move against the water.

Pros and cons of Scuba Fins

Effectiveness. Split fins convey a certain surface water into and out of their opening instead of over their edges. This procedure produces a spring-like activity, resulting in a much more advanced and useful kick. Drag and effort are also lowered, resulting in increased efficiency.

Scuba fins can be unusable if not taking proper care by the user. Bacteria might mold inside your fins and will result to bad odor and/or damage your scuba fins.

Precaution

When selecting fins, bare in mind how an ineffective fin has an effect on your air usage and power usage. Typical and simple designed fins are less expensive, whereas efficient and highly customized fins are much more expensive. This is especially important for new divers when compared to experienced users, who may be more comfortable and have much more consistent air usage.

Storage and Maintenance

Maintaining your dive fins is simple. After your dives, start giving your fins a cool freshwater wash to prevent sodium accumulation or particles from freshwater locations. Regularly check the straps and foot compartments after each dive. It is to guarantee that there were no weeping or indications of rupture. Avoid putting your fins in uncomfortable posture that may cause the foot pockets to warp or the blade to bend.

New fins come with foot-pocket inserts. Retain these and store them inside the foot pockets to keep the form of the pockets. Keep your fins away from the sun to avoid cracking and stains.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Scuba fins are useful. Good maintenance proves that divers can use their scuba fins for a long period of time. Always remember the things written above. If buying your own Scuba fins make sure that it’s made from high quality materials.

Sources

• https://divezone.net/how-to-choose-diving-fins-2.htm#:~:text=The%20SCUBA%20fins’%20main%20purpose,hands%20anymore%20to%20move%20underwater
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimfin#:~:text=Swimfins%2C%20swim%20fins%2C%20diving%20fins,%2C%20float%2Dtube%20fishing%2C%20kneeboarding
• https://www.scubadiving.com/dive-fins