monofins and cramps

[underh2ohio]

I would love to try monofins, but have this fear of getting a cramp in the arch of the foot or the calf. With bi fins you can still kick up with one leg. What do you do if you get a cramp in monofins 100 feet from the surface? That keeps me from using them. Can someone put my mind at ease?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Adrian]

i just saw this old thread, anyone have experience with this?

Adrian

 

[pat fish]

Every once in a while you may experience cramps when using a monofin (depending on your state of training mentally and physically, nutrition, hydration, magnesium intake, etc.). In constant weight a cramp is a rather unpleasant thing but it doesn't have to frighten you off. There is an easy solution to the problem:

--> whenever a cramp is hitting you strong: SWITCH TO IMMERSION LIBRE. Means: pull yourself up on the rope by using arm pulls. 9 out of 10 cramps occur during the ascent phase anyway. The switching to IL works just fine if you use a REAL ROPE. You souldn't worry too much about cramps then. They can spoil a good dive but normally don't bring you in big trouble.
Whenever you are going deep with a mono and a) just do fundiving without any rope or b) use a TINY SMALL CORD (small buoy with a cord from a diving reel for example as orientation and safety) you can forget about using arm pulls and cramps can turn into a real issue again. :rcard

Simply keep in mind what your limits and possibilities (equipment/rope/buddy) are and you should be fine.

Pat

 

[samdive]

I used to get a lot of cramp in my arches of my feet from the mono - and then I started doing some foot stretches before I put my fin on and that helped. There is no doubt a yoga name for it but basically you sit on your heels with toes flexed against the floor and hold it for about 5 breaths. You will feel the stretch in the bottom of your feet.

Then change position so you sit on your heels with the tops of your feet flat on the floor - you will feel the stretch at the tops of your feet and up your shins. For a stronger stretch, lift each knee gently in turn and hold for a few breaths.

It works for me
Sam