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39th OUR WORLD-UNDERWATER SHOW
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
12/8/2008
39th OUR WORLD-UNDERWATER SHOW February 20-22, 2009 Our World-Underwater Consumer Dive & Travel Show is in its' 39thYear! It is the longest running sho...

HAL WATTS ARTICLE ABOUT DIVING FATALITIES
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
11/21/2008
Three Divers Die at Forty Fathom Grotto…almost! By Hal Watts All too often we read or hear about divers drowning. With many fatalities, we have to guess the causes, or theoretically reconstruct the events lead...

FOLLOW UP: DIVING FATALITY
Capt. Darrick Lorenzen
11/21/2008
Special Dive Team Assembled To Locate 25-Year-Old ManDaniel Patterson and Eric Hary, members of a professional underwater international cave recovery team, put on their scuba gear to search of Spiegel.POSTED: 1:49 pm...

MSD FORUMS - BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS
TOPIC: exercise
rookfish
Posted: 5/5/2007 7:43:17 PM

Joined on
5/5/2007

As a rookie diver, I frequently get cramps in the feet and the calves. Any suggestions on avoiding these before I dive?

Thanks

Rookfish
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cpdsgtal
Posted: 5/5/2007 8:19:56 PM

Joined on
10/30/2006

 I too am a rookie and always wondered the same thing...Good question...
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MgicTwnger
Posted: 5/6/2007 7:37:54 AM

Joined on
6/1/2006

 Try another type of fins, they can make a big difference. Split fins, which folks seem to either love or hate, are easier on the legs.

I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Carmella Soprano
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sobfrogg
Posted: 5/6/2007 5:14:53 PM

Joined on
8/4/2006

YUP,

Try another set of fins. With that thought fins that do not fit correctly will cause cramping.

Your LDS might let try some fins in the pool

 

Cheers
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Captain Dale
Posted: 5/6/2007 6:59:33 PM

Joined on
3/31/2006

 The most common fin kick in scuba diving is the flutter kick.  When using the flutter kick, the power stroke is the down stroke.  We use our feet and legs primarily for walking.  When we walk we push against the ground with the bottoms of our feet; our walking "power stroke" is muscular equivalent of the up stroke in the flutter kick.  You are using muscles that are not regularly exercised.  The best solution is more frequent swimming and diving to build up those muscles.  Another alternative is to change to a different kick.  Since the frog or modified frog kick uses mostly the same muscles as walking, it will usually not cause cramping to the same extent as the flutter kick does.  When done properlyi, it also does not cause silting.
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scubatim
Posted: 5/7/2007 9:34:10 AM

Joined on
7/22/2006

Well said Capt Dan, I to early in the dive season get calf and foot cramps. But after a few dives and workouts in the pool with my fins they go away.

Best way to get rid of the cramps is to Dive safe and Dive often.

Have you gone down lately?
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MgicTwnger
Posted: 5/7/2007 9:38:26 AM

Joined on
6/1/2006

Once again, Dale says it all and says it best.

Ppersonally, I try to get in a good, long walk every day for the sake of both the legs and the belly.

I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Carmella Soprano

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scubatim
Posted: 5/7/2007 5:15:51 PM

Joined on
7/22/2006
Sorry about that Dale I know your name is not Dan

Have you gone down lately?
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hammerhead
Posted: 5/19/2007 6:45:10 PM

Joined on
3/13/2006

 Try to not curl your toes, also relax the ankles. Keep the knees straight (not locked) use the larger thigh muscles.

It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.
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