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By the end of this topic, you should be able to answer these questions: 1 Why do you need to know how to perform a variety of propulsion techniques as a technical diver? 2 What propulsion techniques are frequently used by technical divers? Moving Around Technical divers use a variety of propulsion techniques so that they can match the appropriate technique to the needs of the dive. For example, on long dives you need to use a sustainable technique, such as the frog kick. You may also use other techniques for specific purposes, such as back kicks to avoid a sensitive area, and helicopter turns to turn around and communicate with the team without disturbing the bottom. Reasons you may choose a specific technique include: Reducing effort and drag while carrying bulky equipment. Reducing the possibility of damaging to the environment. Reducing the risk of silt-out. Need for a short burst of speed. Need for maximum propulsion with minimum effort. Moving in a very high flow environment. image placeholder for 730x365 Photo credit Martin Strmiska/Huish Outdoor Adaptive Techniques Adaptive techniques can be used to meet performance requirements such as those that refer to specific finning techniques. Student divers with limited (or no) leg use may still meet the intent of these performance requirements by using adaptive propulsion techniques. Propulsion Techniques Frog Kick This is the most popular propulsion technique for tec divers because it provides maximum propulsion for minimal effort. The draft from the kicks pushes directly behind the diver, which avoids damaging the environment or disturbing visibility. The frog kick is similar to the movement of the legs when breaststroking. It uses the whole leg including the ankles. To perform a frog kick: Start with the legs straight and inline with the body. Bend the feet upwards, without dropping the knees, flex the ankle so that the blades of the fin remain horizontal. This is a gentle movement, keeping the fins angled for least resistance to the water. Open the knees – this will change the angle of the fin blades so that the flat part is pointing behind you. Push the fin blades backwards – straightening your legs, ankles flexed at first, then as the legs come together, the toes point. This is the movement that provides the propulsion, so make sure it’s a nice big, fairly slow movement. Stretching your legs at the end with some tension in the inner thighs maximizes the effect. Allow yourself to glide forwards after the main push while bending your knees up, ready to start again. Flutter Kick This kick is usually the first technique recreational divers are taught. It is easy to learn and can be very powerful, but requires more effort than the frog kick and may cause cramps. Even when the diver is well above the bottom, the draft from the kick can disturb the visibility. The flutter kick is a scissor action using the whole leg: Start with the legs straight and inline with the body. Move from the thigh, scissoring one leg up and the other down. The blades of the fins remain in the same orientation throughout – one reason this is easier for beginners to master. The knees and ankles flex slightly. There may be a slight pause between strokes to glide. Modified Frog and Modified Flutter Kicks Modified frog and flutter kicks are smaller versions of the same technique, usually used either to adjust positions or move slowly, especially in sensitive environments. The modified frog kick uses just the lower leg or, when very small precision movements are required, just the ankles. The modified flutter kick uses just the lower leg above the line of the body. Occasionally, a version just moving from the ankles is used in overhead environments. Image place holder for images that are 365x365 Photo credit Peter Gaertner/Halcyon Dive Systems Back Kick This kick is used for small adjustments in position and to back away from sensitive areas, or to maintain position when pushed forwards by water movement, such as when facing team members or objects. The back kick is a reversal of frog kick, but with a different emphasis and a change in fin blade positions. Start with the legs straight and inline with the body. It is essential to remain horizontal. Flex the feet and bend the knees outwards with impetus. The top surface of the fin blade “pulls” the water so that the diver moves backwards. Bring the knees together, feet up, then stretch the legs. These movements are gentle with the fin blade angled to minimize resistance. Especially at first, back kick is likely to produce only a small movement. Helicopter Turns This technique uses small movements to turn the diver while maintaining a horizontal position. Moving primarily from the ankles, helicopter turns may use just one fin at a time or both fins working in opposition. Practice turning using one fin doing the modified frog kick to turn yourself around. Repeat until you can do it on both sides. Next practice using one fin doing a similar movement to the back kick to turn yourself around. Repeat until you can do it on both sides. When you can do both techniques on both sides, try combining them. All propulsion techniques require neutral buoyancy. If you're not neutrally buoyant you will either lose position in the water or waste the effort of finning to maintain your position. Other Propulsion Techniques If you will need to use other propulsion techniques, your instructor will show them to you. These may include: Hand-propulsion for divers who can't use fins or need to use both. Pull and glide techniques, which are used in extremely high flow areas where the environment is not sensitive.