To a new diver, propulsion is achieved by any means necessary.  The use of legs, arms, hands, large marine animals, currents and other divers are all useful elements in completing the journey from Sponge A to Coral Head B.  In defense of the new diver, rarely is propulsion explained let alone practiced in a basic or advanced scuba class.  A new diver might be told to kick from the hip, point their toes, don’t bend the knees, don’t bicycle kick, etc.  To a new diver propulsion means wiggling your feet until you get to the other side of the pool and if that is too difficult you can buy a different pair of fins that will be easier on the legs.

For DIR education, proper propulsion techniques are an essential part.  After a diver develops a solid base of buoyancy control along with body mechanics and trim, different propulsion techniques are added to the divers’ useful resources.  A collection of propulsion techniques will benefit the diver in many ways.  It does not take a new diver very long to appreciate the ability to swim efficiently forwards as well as backwards.  The menu of DIR propulsion techniques which are taught in the beginner Open Water/Recreational 1 level include a Proper and Modified Frog Kick for efficient and tireless motion, a Modified Flutter Kick for power, Backwards Kick for stability, positioning and control as well as 360 degree Helicopter-Turn.

When many divers swim they kick with their entire body.  The kick begins in their brain as they try to move themselves to another location.  The synapses fire and motion is generated in the leg, and the whole leg is involved with the kick.  Along with the calf, quads and glutes; the back, chest, shoulders and neck are also thrown into an explosion of muscle contractions in an attempt to generate movement.  Unfortunately, the return from all of this expense is usually wasted energy and CO2 build-up.  The answer is not to purchase easier kicking fins or build stronger muscles; it is to understand the muscles needed to generate propulsion.  We learn to use only the muscles that are efficient and productive; disregarding the inefficient and wasteful movements. It is important to develop a controlled use of the smallest and most efficient muscles through muscular compartmentalization of the body.  Instead of using the entire leg to kick, we learn to use only the muscles we need to use.

Any DIR class that teaches these essential skills will include a thorough understanding of proper propulsion techniques.  These skills are the building blocks for future development and their importance cannot be understated.  Along with proper body mechanics, buoyancy control, trim and technique, the propulsion techniques you develop in your DIR training will take your diving to a new depth of skill and ability.

For more information on developing these and other DIR techniques look into the UTD Essentials or Intro To Tech classes.

www.unifiedteamdiving.com

Or contact James Mott at

jm@unifiedteamdiving.com

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