Scuba diving finning techniques (2)

Last week we already started to introduce you to scuba diving finning techniques, that improve your diving. We already mentioned the flutter kick, as well as the frog kick. Those finning techniques are both useful for general cruising and have both their own advantages and disadvantages. Today we will talk about techniques that are more useful for special situations.

REVERSE OR BACK KICK

Just like a car, divers can go backwards. All they need to do is a reverse frog kick. That finning technique is used to move away from divers, slow down or get out of a tight spot. It avoids inefficient arm and hand flapping that is not only embarrassing but also uses an unnecessary amount of energy.

Begin with your legs straight back and ankles together. Then, flex your ankles and lower legs outward. Draw the angled fin tips outward by spreading your knees and pulling the fins back toward the upper body, pulling the water toward your torso.

This finning technique obviously isn’t useful as a general finning technique, but in certain situations, for example when getting away from something while looking at it and without touching anything, or maybe while you’re holding a camera it’s the right technique to use.

HELICOPTER TURN

The helicopter turn isn’t a movement that brings you forward or backwards but let’s you rotate your body on axis without using your hands.

Slowly move your fins apart horizontally in an opposing back and forth motion. At the same time, rotate your ankles and fin blades around their own turning point.

This finning technique is great for a cave or wreck dive, when a diver needs to turn around without stirring up slit.

You’re definitely going to be a better diver when you’re able to master more than only one or two techniques. Techniques for special situations might not be needed on every dive, but learning them will help you in certain situations that may occur.

Which scuba diving finning techniques have you already learned? Which ones are your favorites? Let us know all about it in the comments!