Bad Leg Cramps

[DivemasterDennis]

Every suggestion in the prior posts is a good one, and I will add one more to the list- consider your fins. I think a quality split fin could also help. Not to big, not to stiff, properly sized. I swear by mine as a 50 year old who dives in cold water half the time. Second suggestion- swim technique. In addition to using a frog kick, when using a scissor kick be extended- only a slight knee bend, not a bicycle peddle.

 

[ScubaScottland]

"HERE you will find two good articles on muscle cramps, and strategies for minimizing them."


Really, very good articles!!!

 

[rixxir]

Hey, just wanted to add my 2 cents, I had the same problem in my first pool dive, the next day I loosened the heel straps considerably and problem solved. I'm not very experienced but it worked for me. Rick

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

Still get cramps with split fins? I thought they were suppose to alleviate them for everyone who doesn't have muscular calfs. I would think the only thing you can do is to kick you fin with the bicycle pedaling method, since one almost exerts no force against the water, although I don't think you will be getting anywhere.

But hopefully, you will get a DM that likes to take things nice and slow, so nobody has to do much finning.

 

[diver 85]

I'm sure this has been asked many times before,

I am a very "casual" diver. once or twice a year at most. Last year I did a shore dive off of California and had very bad cramps in my calf, where I could not even kick without stopping and stretching my leg by pulling my fins. At the time I wrote it off to never diving the cold water.

I have a trip in August to Puerto Rico and would like to try the diving down there. I took a few dives in a pool, just to re-familiarize myself with my gear and make sure everything was working properly. I did get the cramp in my calf again, and this time I had a cramp in the arch of my foot as well.

I have large enough booties ( snug but not tight ) and I have XL split fins which I have used for years. The heel strap I have always wondered if that should be tight, or loose?

Is there anything I can do to help with these cramps?

yea, quit smoking & eat more bananas-----or-----only do drift dives???......