Split fins: why not DIR?

[beeger]

The DIR crowd kind of puts a stake in the ground so to speak when it comes to gear: they want all their gear to work in all kinds of conditions and for all kinds of dives. Consistency is key. So while split fins might be fine for cruising along in mid water on a warm water recreational dive, they don't seem to fare as well under more demanding circumstance. Split fins are not effective for frog kicking, let alone any of the alternate kicks. Flutter kicking is not an option in a cave or wreck, and is a bad idea in general even near a wreck, or pretty much anywhere. Frog kicking is more efficient, but harder to get used to. Also, most split fins, and most typical scuba paddle fins, are very floppy by nature. These will simply not provide the power needed to get moving when carrying a heavy load. Also, any sort of fine control is near impossible with split fins, as well as many different paddle fins. Things like helicopter turns are really best performed with short, stiff fins. The Jets/IDIs have the advantage of also being excellent for surface swimming.