The Neptune Warrior

I know I will catch grief from this. There is a coalition of people who hate split fins. There are people who feel they are useless, they are a gimmick, they are the mark of an inefficient diver.

Truth is, there are people who hate split fins that only repeat the rhetoric they have read somewhere else. They are people who feel they need to look cool like a military or technical diver. There are people who despise split fins while at the same time couldn’t hold a decent conversation about hydrodynamics, dive physics, decompression theory, human factors in dive accidents, or site Charle’s Law and its implications on diving, yet the hill they will die on is over a fin.

I’ve seen divers who will argue about the shape, style, and design of a fin and yet their own skills suck. There I said it.

I dive solid fins. Its what I grew up on, its whats in my gear. Do I own splits, absolutely. Thirty years of diving in military operations, technical diving, recreation, travel, public safety, maintenance diver, etc. There is a place for them. Is it my go to fin? No. Does it have a purpose, yes.

A few years ago when recovering from knee surgery I was headed to Maui to dive. I knew I was still feeling off with the recent operation and was still doing rehab. I also know that in 10 days I would do 15-20 dives. I wanted to keep the knee fresh, pain free, and on the road to more diving. Out came the Apollo spit fins.

Racking up 18 dives all of them beach entries, split fins were a blessing. While they certainly have their down fall, I can do just about everything in my spilts as I can with my solids including back finning and helicopter turns.

I work with disabled divers or divers who need special attention during a dive due to injuries sustained in the military. Often times, splits are the better option for a disability. A diver recently under going knee surgery or an injury to the legs or hips, often splits are the best option.

Here are a few things I have found with Split Fins:

1. Reduced Leg Strain: Because they create less resistance, split fins minimize the strain on the diver’s legs and ankles. This is especially beneficial for divers who have joint issues or weaker leg muscles.
2. Improved Maneuverability: Split fins allow for better control and maneuverability underwater. This makes them ideal for navigating through tight spaces or around delicate underwater environments.
3. Greater Speed: (in some cases) Some divers find that split fins offer improved speed compared to traditional fins, especially over longer distances. This can be advantageous for covering larger areas during a dive. When I was doing my 15 mile underwater dive series to raise money for the American Cancer Society, I often switched over to splits to give muscle groups a break and eliminate fatigue while maintaining speed.
4. Less Effort on Long Dives: For extended diving sessions, the reduced effort needed to kick can lead to less fatigue. This can make long dives more enjoyable and less physically taxing especially during recovery.
5. Ideal for Certain Water Conditions: Split fins perform exceptionally well in calm to moderate water conditions, where their design maximizes efficiency and speed. I don’t recommend for drift dives where you often have to have a burst of power to adjust in the drift.
6. Suitable for Different Skill Levels: These fins are often recommended for beginners due to their ease of use, but they are also appreciated by experienced divers for their efficiency and reduced physical demand.

Split fins can be particularly beneficial for divers with lower extremity disabilities due to their unique design and the way they alter the dynamics of underwater movement. Here are some ways in which split fins can assist these divers:

1. Reduced Physical Effort: Split fins are designed to reduce the amount of force required to kick, which can be extremely helpful for divers with limited strength or mobility in their legs. The split in the fin works to channel water more efficiently, allowing for easier movement with less physical exertion.
2. Minimized Strain on Joints: Post injury or procedure your fin skills often times suck. You can’t use the correct techniques due to limited mobility. For divers with joint issues, especially in the knees, ankles, or hips, split fins can be less stressful to use. Traditional fins can sometimes require strong, forceful kicks that might exacerbate joint pain or discomfort, but the gentler kicking motion enabled by split fins reduces this risk.
3. Enhanced Propulsion for Gentle Kicks: Split fins are designed to optimize propulsion even with softer, more gentle kicks. This is especially beneficial for divers who cannot perform strong, forceful kicks due to their disability.
4. Improved Maneuverability: With split fins, divers can achieve better control with less effort. This improved maneuverability can be crucial for divers with disabilities, as it allows them to navigate underwater environments more easily and safely.
5. Lowered Fatigue during Long Dives: Since split fins demand less energy and strength to use effectively, divers with disabilities can enjoy longer dive times without experiencing as much fatigue as they might with traditional fins.
6. Customizable to Individual Needs: Some split fins come with adjustable stiffness or other features that can be tailored to the diver’s specific needs and abilities, offering a more personalized diving experience.
7. Suitable for Various Swimming Styles: Split fins can accommodate different swimming styles which might be more comfortable or feasible for divers with certain disabilities. For example, a flutter kick with split fins requires less upward and downward motion, which can be beneficial for someone with limited knee mobility.

It’s important for divers with lower extremity disabilities to consult with diving professionals and possibly undergo a personalized assessment to ensure they choose the right type of fins and other diving equipment that suits their specific needs and enhances their safety and comfort underwater. Additionally, specialized training or adaptations in diving techniques might also be necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

There is a place for every type of gear. Instead of repeating the claims you have only read about, try out a pair of splits as an option when dealing with anything described above.