Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
Recently, while training with the Canadian Amphibious Search Team I was participating in some swiftwater rescue training exercises in a local river. Normally, I use different fins for SWR than I do for diving, but as this was just an exercise and my dive gear was more accessible in my vehicle than the rest of my gear, I grabbed my trusty SP Jetfins, tied my safety line into my quick release, and attempted a "strong swimmer crossing". Suddenly I felt the spring straps stretch and slip off, so I aborted the crossing and grabbed them. Apparently the force of the current on the Jetfins was greater than the yield strength of the spring staps, as the springs stretched until I swam downstream and got a hold of the fins themselves. Not only was my crossing attempt unsuccessful but I now have 2 unuseable springs that are over 4 feet long. I admit this was a pretty stupid thing to do, but just so that no one else does this: DO NOT USE SPRING FIN STRAPS IN CURRENT GREATER THAN 30 KNOTS! (the practical limit is probably considerably less). -Sean -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]