cramps and blisters

[Karletto]

i get cramps often while diving; cramps come behind the toes -> look picture; is this couse of the fins?

[mwhities]

Yes - you are using your foot to "kick" rather than your legs.

[meesier42]

it is a combination of
a) poor technique
b) poor fitness
c) poor hydration and diet
d) poorly fitting fins
e) poorly designed fins

I can't say which is causing your problems, and since I don't know your history, I can't say which is your problem, but 99% of cramping issues is some combination of them.
To correct your problems,
1) start swimming more, not neccasarily with fins, just swim, couple of times a week. this will train the muscles to kick better, improving both your technique and fitness
2) make sure you stay well hydrated, on even a cool day, I'll drink a quart of water (or more) between dives, throwing in some gatorade or similar will help restore you eletrolytes which will also help relieve cramping
3) eat more Spinach, kale, or other dark greens before the dive day, and eat Bananas the day of to increase your potasium
4) make sure you fins fit correctly, any tight points or overly loose points will cause you problems. talk to someone that is qualified (not neccasarily your LDS) near you to get a good fit
5) try other fins. some of the best anti-cramping fins are ForceFins and Apollo Bio-Fins

[fisheater]

Try Force Fins. They attach to your entire foot, not to your toes.

[longtailbda]

As said above it is probably a combination of things.
I have cramping problems due to nerve damage from a broken back. When drinking to re-hydrated using a diluted replacement drink (Gatorade or the equivalent) seems to help ease the cramps.

[scootermcfly]

I have a tendency to cramp up and I was thinking of trying some different fins-perhaps splits. The other ideas listed above could not hurt either. Thanks.

[jtkkym]

Originally Posted by longtailbda

As said above it is probably a combination of things.
I have cramping problems due to nerve damage from a broken back. When drinking to re-hydrated using a diluted replacement drink (Gatorade or the equivalent) seems to help ease the cramps.

Also, eat banana. It has lots of potassium which helps to reduce cramps.