Fins?

[afriel105]

I'm a former Navy diver now in the Army. My question is what type of fins are being used in large by military divers these days? I ask because I am currently getting back into diving after a long hiatus and want some ideas of what to shop for. Any responses are appreciated. Thanks.

[Frog]

If you are a former Navy Diver, why do you have a SWCC pin in your post?

[afriel105]

Originally posted by Frog
If you are a former Navy Diver, why do you have a SWCC pin in your post?

That's not a SWCC pin. It's a Small Craft badge. The SWCC pin looks very different and requires a lot more training of which I don't have all the details because I am not SWCC. They gave them their own badge a few years ago. I'd ask someone who is SWCC what all the PQS's are for that. Sailor's in NCW and IBU's or IBD's can get the small craft badge along with others as well. It just takes some time to get all the watch stations signed off, tested etc. When I say Diver I do not mean SEAL. The only interaction I have with SEAL's was when they would have security exercises and try to sneak aboard the ships in Subic Bay or Yokosuka, the two places I was stationed. I personally earned mine on a 27ft PB. I am personally qualified in open circuit only to 130 just in case we needed to inspect a hull or dock below the water line.

[EODDVR]

Whatever the current MARES fin is. I love my old Power Plana...I have a newer pair of MARES and forget the name...basically same set up with a fancy strap and a little more flex.

[afriel105]

Originally posted by EODDVR
Whatever the current MARES fin is. I love my old Power Plana...I have a newer pair of MARES and forget the name...basically same set up with a fancy strap and a little more flex.

Thanks for the suggestion! Are your current ones the Volo Power? I was checking those out.

[Sdiver]

Originally posted by EODDVR
Whatever the current MARES fin is. I love my old Power Plana...I have a newer pair of MARES and forget the name...basically same set up with a fancy strap and a little more flex.

You're probably thinking of the Quattros.....

[Sdiver]

Here is MARES' latest fins. The Volos.

Not bad, but just a little too "Mushy" for what you're looking for.

Where as the Quattros go for around $115.00 retail, and the Volos go for $150.00, how much do you really want to spend.

[Sdiver]

If you'd like a really good fin, that gives you a lot of "power", look at the Cressi Sub Frog Fins.

What's cool about these fins is, the foot pocket is under the blade, which makes "walking" in them just a little bit eaisier.

When I was working at a shop in Destin FL many moons ago, I was able to sell a few packages to a SF team that was there for awhile. The Team Sgt came in with a couple of team members and we looked at the fins we had in the store.

What they liked about the Frogs were, the foot pocket was below the blade. They came back in after they did a water jump and told me, that when they were on the AC they had their fins on, and had made a hole about 2 inches from the tip of the blades and tied some 550 code through it, then tied it around their legs. This made walking in them eaiser.

After they deployed out the back of the AC, and as they were hanging in their harness, floating down, they would just take out one of thier knives and cut the cord from around their legs and their fins would be on ready to use.

They liked them so much I got them about 30 pairs.

They're the fins I use for my technical diving. Nice and rugged.
Now if I could just get rid of that word FROG on them, they'd be perfect.

[Sdiver]

Or just get a pair of tried and true "Rocket Fins".

[Sdiver]

Now....can I intrest you in a BCD?:D

[s1chmoe]

i had the same pair of duck feet for 15 yrs. they finally gave way this last year, great fins, simply, but i liked them.

[Trip_Wire]

Fins are always a complex issue. Most divers have their own preferences. A lot depends on what your dive team has or is issued. There are many other considerations as well. Dry suit or wet suit diving, boot type and foot size.

I like the all rubber Appollo split fins with a steel cable to replace the rubber straps. (Now Appollo has a fin that comes with the steel straps.) I think some teams in the 1st SFGA are using them too. I use them mostly when diving in 3 MM wet suits w/3mm boots.

When I'm diving dry, I usually use Turtle fins (also with the steel straps) because of there large foot pocket (I'm a size 14) and the bigger boots of the dry suit. They look pretty much like the old rocket fins. (I could never find a rocket fin to fit my big feet.) the turtles will take a large size combat boot, etc.

I understand that SCUBAPRO is selling a Rocket type fin in XXL now and it has a pocket as big if not bigger then the Turtle fins. (In the past I cold never find anything bigger then XL) They also have a fin called the twin jet fin also a version of the rocket fin with a split fin. A lot of people like them too.

I really think the appollo fins are the best in MHO. :)