Finning Technique for spearfishing

[blueface]

I was experimenting with lighter weight on my belt and as expected I became hypercapnic with a shorter bottom time. After about 30 or so dives (18 to 28 m) I altered my finning slightly. I usually duck dive and kick constantly-5 hard kicks-5 softer etc. then static phase and then bottom.

When I do this my leg muscles are pretty much tense the whole time that I kick. This burns a lot of O2 and makes a tons of Co2.

The adjustment I made (at the risk of sounding stupid) is to completely relax the muscles in between cycles. In other words, the kicks are like pulsations. I found I could get more efficiancy and produce less lactic acid and CO2 and I feel more relaxed throughout the dive.

I do this descending and ascending.

Is there something wrong with this technique?

Thanks in advance!

Skip

 

[hteas]

Skip,
Sounds good to me. I tend to relax some while finning, unless I have a long way to go (up) in a real hurry. The more you relax in everything you do during a dive, the longer it will last.

 

[blueface]

hteas, thanks for the response. My kicking is becoming more efficient. I don't get as much Co2 or lactic when diving now. I'm getting better. I can't get worse.:blackeye

 

[apeogre]

I just learned the same technique just a few das ago. Haven't put it to good use in open water, but in the pool seems to work well.

 

[vali]

i don't know if is good or bad, because i didn't use this technique....
all that i can say is that, every time i'm going down, hunting, with my bifins, but acting like monofin technique, my time at the bottom increase substantialy....
i observe that, in order to pass the positive flotability of the first 10m, the monofin kicks are farr more adequatly than the bifins mouvement...

 

[apeogre]

when you do this, are you using a big monofin kick or smaller kicks? Are you pushing hard or are you "cruising" down?

 

[blueface]

when you do this, are you using a big monofin kick or smaller kicks? Are you pushing hard or are you "cruising" down?

I am using scizzor kicks with bi-fins. I do 5 hard kicks, 5 medium, and 5 soft kicks, then I glide down the rest of the way (depending on depth) and I can lay there for a bit then I get up very easily.

I never use dolphin kicks unless I'm going to touch and go (pick up something) and I want to get down and up fast.

Skip

 

[vali]

when you do this, are you using a big monofin kick or smaller kicks? Are you pushing hard or are you "cruising" down?

if the questin is for me....
i do the mouvement half from my legs and half from my abdomen....some hard mouvement [but not strong] in the first 6-8m and more relaxed after that....