Reversing divers should shout BEEP BEEP.

[Finless]

Having noticed the DIR post about finning backwards I began to ponder if this was an essential skill that I should learn or whether it is just posing for the sake of looking cool or ..... ?

Anyway, rather than highjack the other thread in DIR territory I thought "time for a poll".

Personally, I reckon it is a cool skill to have but not essential as I have never been in a position where a quick waft of the pectoral fins didn't resolve the problem.

Now the only sea critters that I know of that can swim backwards are eels and I, naturally, feel obliged to point out that I reverse like a wholesome Christian normal fish and not like one of the Devil's creations!

So, you choices will be - necessary, essential or posing?

[Kirstie]

Some people say it's useful for backing away once you've taken a photo.

Personally, I just place my hand firmly on the fishie's forehead/fragile piece of coral and use that to push myself backwards.

[sailorbuoy]

Essential AND posing..... unless like me you reverse like a flailing frog!

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Some people say it's useful for backing away once you've taken a photo.

Personally, I just place my hand firmly on the fishie's forehead/fragile piece of coral and use that to push myself backwards.

I have read of this type of diving of which you type? Does it really exist or is just a fiction to tease us UK only divers?

[chrisch]

Just stick the 'Zepp in reverse and gun it.

Chris

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Finless

I have read of this type of diving of which you type? Does it really exist or is just a fiction to tease us UK only divers?

It's true. There's a trail of shattered coral all around the Celebes Sea where I've been taking snaps

[Mark Griffith]

Why would you want to fin backwards? having just kicked up the sh*t on the way through it will be a bit murky
cheers
Mark

[thehappychappy]

I'm going to abstain from voting.

I don't think its essential but I do think its a nice to have.

Any skill that helps you in the water is a good to have.

I would consider it essential if I was in the habit of going into tight spaces that meant turning around would be nigh on impossible or would involve silting out the location.

To this end I think its essential if you do dive in those situations, if you don't then its a nice to have.

[MartyC]

IF you can't keep your fins still (like me) then its an essential skill, your buddy will get t'd off having to push you away all the time, I can't do it for toffee at the mo but I'm practicing.

Anyway, it all depends on the type of diving you want to do as well, some people will never need it and will be quite happy not bothering, each to his own.

I will try shouting beep beep through my reg when I'm practicing on friday just to see how it goes

[Finless]

I'm not denying it is a cool skill and at my age with my joints one I'm unlikely to master.

Perhaps I'll develop a method that works with split fins? There again, perhaps I'll do it like the fish do .......... I can a niche market for gloves with webbed fingers.