cuba flippers are very important in scuba diving. Without these, you will have a hard time gliding through the water. Because of the additional effort you need to exert underwater, you will end up using up your air supply at a faster rate. This would significantly shorten your time underwater. With the extra propulsion produced by your fins as you move your feet up and down, you would be able to move through the water with less effort.
Right now, the most common scuba flippers in the market are paddle fins.
These fins work by pushing water up and down with every kick just like a paddlewheel steamship. The problem with this concept is that the water sometimes accumulates on top of the fin, causing a drag. You need to put some more effort in your kick in order to overcome that drag.
In the market, you will find some scuba flippers that have been modified in order to remove drag. You may notice that some of the paddle fins being sold today have angles that will allow you to create a stronger kick at a certain position. This also stops the water from accumulating on top of the flippers by allowing it to slide down the angled sides, lessening the drag force.
There are also scuba flippers with slits and cut outs. Split fins are commonly used. The fins of these scuba flippers are vertically split into two. Because of their structure, these fins can cut through the water like a propeller that creates a lift and forward propulsion. Instead of accumulating on top of the fin, the water goes through the opening between the blades, reducing the drag. These fins will allow you to travel at a faster pace, lessening the number of kicks you need to make to cover a distance.
There are also some fins with horizontal splits and cutouts that push the water back instead of pushing them up and down. Another type of fins is called force fins. Shaped like a whale's tail, many divers claim that this has a very huge kicking efficiency.
Of course, caring for your fins can help you maintain their efficiency. Any change in the shape of your fin can decrease its ability to make it easier for you to push through the water. When you pack up your scuba gear, make sure that they are lying flat on the crate or at the side of the crate. You should also make sure that they are lying on a flat surface when you store them. Avoid putting them in a vertical position. This will make them bent, compromising their efficiency underwater.
