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Using equipment only for certain circumstances means that diver familiarity and intuition with the equipment is always sub-optimal. The same applies to chopping and changing equipment on a whim. It's okay for the dilettante diver, but it's a hazardous omission for those intending to use the equipment on arduous or unforgiving dives.
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Yesterday I did one circuit at my training spot without using the fins for turns.
Hands only (and no touching), and always positioned in a way to give maximum negative effect (raising dust) when done wrong.
Impossible with light cable or anything but a minuscule handlight on a goodman - this time with constant 500 lumen illumination of everything I look at.
Nope! The words 'helmet mounted light' are reason and explanation in themselves.So let me see if I understand what you are saying to justify the helmet mounted light.
Yes, I was so thoroughly educated to 'not touch anything', I still have to consciously avoid an instinct to pull my hands away at the last moment.In the example you are not using your fins and you are not pulling yourself along with your hands.
Quite right.Instead you are using your hands in the water column for propulsion and changing the direction?
Because it can be very effective and useful, especially in combination with normal fin movement or when the fins will potentially touch something unseen when moved.Really? Now why would you ever want to do that?
There you are taking it to far, I did not imply that, more the opposite.Your reasoning is that the goodman handle and cable hinder this approach?
Thought so too, ...once... a year or two ago probably.Well I would say that's good for the goodman handle then.
Should? Where did 'should' ever hold up to reality in diving?Nobody should ever need to propel himself in the water, or turn, using this technique.
Ineffective yes, but on the contrary can be used to avoid silting.It's totally ineffective and all it does is stir up the silt.
That's so trueAnd it looks douchy too.
Everyone does when staring scuba.Some beginners tend to do it, I know I did when I started scuba diving, but it has no place at all in technical diving.
I have an example here:
On the other hand I use the exact way of moving the arms very often in regular open water dives.
Most of the time in combination with fin movements for 'one stroke 90 degree turns' and to extend glide phases and steer their direction.
Because it can be very effective and useful, especially in combination with normal fin movement or when the fins will potentially touch something unseen when moved.