Steel spring heel straps

[John Gulliver]

Although I've never seen these, I'm attracted by the idea of straps that never break and make it easier to put your fins on and take them off, but I'm still not convinced about buying Jetfins, either the expensive, genuine article or cheap fakes (e.g Divex), because of the extra weight when travelling. So my question is, can I fit steel spring heel straps to my Cressi Frogs? Would I have to drill holes in them or modify them in some other way or is it impossible to use them with anything but Jetfins?

[Phil Ennis]

When I was in Portland Underwater Explorers, the DIR shop had some modified to fit the standard fin mushroom fitment. They were a DIY job and needed improvement, they may well have done so by now. Sorry havent got a tel no, but try the internet or some other kind sole may be able to help. They are an excellent idea. Hope this helps.

[Lawrence Debono]

John, how are you? Somewhere and I can't remember where I had seen spring straps attached to fastex buckles. I'll try to remember, but I'm sure I had seen them. In fact I'm inclined to get a pair for my technisub blades.

Take care

Lawrence

[Scuba1]

or you try this.
2 x 11" stainless steel springs 1/2" OD .062" wire
4 x stainless steel S hooks
2 x approx 10" lengths 5/8" ID clear tubing (might use 1/2" - will try both to see which is best)
4 x approx 1.5" lengths 1/2" ID black tubing
2 x lengths cave line tied off inside spring to prevent overexpansion

Assembly should just consist of trimming the springs to length (if required), sliding the tube on, threading the cave line inside of the springs, crimping the S hooks onto each end of the springs with pliers, tying the cave line off the the S hooks to prevent overstretching the spring, and finally crimping the S hooks onto the buckle lugs of each fin with pliers. I'm a size 12 boot, and I measured my foot in the fin, and don't expect to have to trim the spring - YMMV. The next shortest size spring is only 8", which is a bit useless for most people, so I'll stick to 11" to keep things simple.



(Edited by Scuba1 at 9:32 pm on Dec. 8, 2002)

[Lawrence Debono]

Now that's a great advice! I like that too.

Lawrence

[John Gulliver]

Thanks, guys! My local diveshop tell me that spring straps for ordinary fins were on show at the latest DEMA, by the way.

[Mr T.]

Hey Gully,

Have a look at these mate, they cost £28.00 a pair (Halycon do them for £69.00 the pair!!). Stainless steel and used by a number of us here - I'm picking mine up on Wednesday along with my Turtle fins (like Jetfins but with a bigger foot-pocket). Hope this helps mate.

http://www.scubamart.co.uk/finstraps.htm

Cheers

[John Gulliver]

Thanks, Bren! Ammers tipped me off about Andy's straps some while ago. I didn't know he did them for ordinary fins, though.

[Pierre Farrugia]

Hello,
For those who already have them, are they so easy to remove underwater? I use Frog and Quattro and at end of dive I just open the quick release on the side, also if you take good care of straps they should never fail.

[John Gulliver]

Oh, come on, Pierre! Rubber straps don't last for ever, how ever good care you take of them. What is more, they always seem to break at the wrong time and in the wrong place.