LEARNINGCURVE
The art of going backwards
Backwards finning is one of the harder propulsion techniques to master , but is a very useful skill for any diver to have in their repertoire . Cave diving instructor and BSAC Centre owner Lanny Vogel explains
How many times have you finned over to look at an interesting piece of wreck or marine life and found yourself trying to stop and back up by hand sculling ? Mastering the back kick will allow you to stop at will and gently back away , giving you more control over your diving , minimising environmental damage and reducing the amount of silt you stir up .
The back kick , or ‘ reverse frog kick ’ is an optional part of some BSAC technical courses , and it is an essential part of all overhead environment courses , such as the new BSAC Advanced Wreck programme . It is especially useful for photographers ( backing up to focus ); instructors ( moving in to check a student and backing away ) and for any diving situation in which maintaining position relative to the team is important .
This step-by-step guide will help divers to master the back kick .
Before You Start
Stable Platform . A stable position in the water will make any skill a great deal easier to achieve , and this is especially true for the back kick . Backing up is very difficult if you are fighting an unstable head-up or head-down position by finning or moving . Before starting the drill , you should be flat in the water ; be motionless ; have established neutral buoyancy and be slowly breathing in the middle of your lungs , without excessively breathing in or out to control your position in the water column .
Equipment . The back kick can be performed in any equipment configuration – single cylinder , twinset , sidemount or CCR . Fins are important – split fins or Force Fins make the back kick much harder , whilst the most efficient fins for the technique are stiffer full bladed fins such as Jet Fins . Because the side of the calf provides some of the propulsive force , it is also possible to back kick without fins . Feedback . The ubiquity of GoPros and similar action cameras is a real help when learning new diving techniques . It will be a lot easier to nail the back kick if you can see how you look on video . At the very least , having a buddy critique your attempts will allow you to adjust your position . Laying a line in the water will give a reference point and improve your accuracy .
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