You want Jet fins, and a new instructor.

Here is an answer from someone who ones a pair. I also have a pair of the
'regular' fins. Best way to find out is to try them. Put a split fin on one
foot and a regular fin on the other foot. Off you go. The switch them
around. You will get the picture. The best kick on a split fin is different
from that of a regular fin. Experiment. Draw your own conclusions.

benner @ personainternet.com

Try Mares Volos first before you try split fins.

Good luck Howard.

beemerphile schrieb:

easier on the ankle, yes.
easier on the knee, no!

Otherwise, opinions are split.

Matthias

In general terms, you don't want a fin that will overtax your comfort
physical ability level ... afterall, recreational scuba means that its
supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

In general terms, this means that you're probably going to prefer a
smaller & more flexible fin that does less work with each stroke.  

There are new "fads" in diving, just like in anything else where
someone's trying to sell a product.  Split fins are generally sold as
being "more efficient" than other designs, and if there is a safe
generalization to make, it is mostly because they're not too big/stiff
to overtax the leg...much like using a bicycle in a lower gear to keep
the human bio-optimum ~80 cranks/minute rate.

Some people with knee problems like Force Fins.  

Different stroke styles can also make a difference (personally, I rarely
do a flutter kick anymore...I probably frogkick 75% of the time).  

IMO, the only safe advice is to try some different fins and fin styles
in an environment where the differeces will be able to show up, such as
actually taking them out on a dive.  Do note that because different fins
can use different muscle groups, it can sometimes take a couple of dives
to really get used to a particular pair.

Hope this helps,

-hh

Here's another opinion and to address the second part of your question about
not going as far through the water.

I would say you only need to go as far as needed to fullfill your dive
objective.  If that is to just look around underwater, and current isn't an
issue almost any fin will do. Lot's of strong legged people seem to feel the
need to travel fast and far, but moving slowly and looking more allows you to
see more, develop better buoyancy,  and conserve air.
Personally I have tried split fins, but prefer the feel and control I have with
traditional fins - even with a "dinged" knee.  Also I dive with a buddy with
whom I can keep up.
Good Luck,
D.C.C.

As a diver with two repaired knees, I'll cast my vote for split fins being
much easier on the injured parts with no loss in recreational diving speed,
maneuverability, or performance.

Try everything you can get your feet in and decide from there!

You're going to get as many answers as there are people.  Most of us use
whatever fins we have because we've found them to be best for our particular
preferences.  I like my Mares Plana Avante TRE fins for all diving and
snorkeling and my Mares Power Plana Quatros for diving where power and
acceleration are a plus, spearfishing in particular.  You probably would not
like the Quatros, but might like the TREs, but you'd have to try them to be
sure.  On the other hand, if you already know that they are easier on a post
surgery knee, then I think you've already got the answer you are looking
for.

Lee

"beemerphile" <beemerphileremove@sbcglobal.net> pounded away at his
keyboard resulting in:

Is that based on theory or experience?  If the latter, you already
know the answer and there is no need to ask us.

Dan Bracuk
If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/