Workout for rescue diver?

[emttim]

So I just thought of a question...I'm planning to take the PADI Rescue Diver course after I do the AOW next semester, and I hear that it's fairly physically demanding, so what have you guys done (or would recommend) as far as working out in preparation of it goes?

 

[Prostar]

Swim, dive, cardio

 

[Web Monkey]

So I just thought of a question...I'm planning to take the PADI Rescue Diver course after I do the AOW next semester, and I hear that it's fairly physically demanding, so what have you guys done (or would recommend) as far as working out in preparation of it goes?

I'm not sure how old you are, or what kind of shape you're in, but the actual requirements aren't anything that would kill a 45 year old desk jockey, since that's pretty much their target demographic.

You might find an instructor that wants more, but the actual class is more about recognizing and dealing with stress and helping/rescuing other divers than swimming miles though the ocean or jumping out of helicopters.

In an actual rescue, the first rule is to not make more victims, so there's nothing involved that would require superhuman strength or endurance.

Terry

 

[rongoodman]

Pacing yourself will be important--it's easy to get too wound up and overdo it.

 

[Louma]

I think the biggest thing is swimming. You don't have to be an Olympic swimmer, but you do have to be able to swim sometimes pulling (sometimes draging) someone on the surface. It can be physically challenging but as stated above, 45 year old desk jockies should have no problem. Since you appear to have a little time before your class use it to get into better shape. It never hurts.

 

[RikRaeder]

No jumping from helicopters?! I'm rather disappointed

 

[twinkles]

This thread reminded me of a buddy of mine. They guy is an ex-off-shore-oil-well-worker and ex-army ranger. Before I took rescue he told me that his PADI rescue class was the hardest thing he ever did. (I am thinking to my self holy smolly this guy got through ranger school and thinks rescue class was harder--oh me oh my.) He and I are now both 50ish desk jockeys. Well I am a bit of a wimp (never would have even considered boot camp much less ranger school) and I didn't find rescue class overly demanding.

 

[emttim]

Ah....welllll, then I guess I won't worry about it, since I'm 23, in alright shape and lift patients at work.

I'll just do cardio once school is out (so I have time) to stay healthy then and leave it at that.

 

[iceaxe]

Unless you're in really bad shape, I really wouldn't sweat it. You'll carry a "victim" around a a little bit and drag/push them around in the water for maybe 100 yards. Nothing too tough

 

[KsDiver]

I took Rescue Diver twice (literally washed out the first attempt). The first time was when I started PSD diving and the instructor was a former Navy diver. I didn't last long. I was out of my element, my wet suit didn't fit right, not enough experience, my comfort zone was much too small, not in good enough shape and the instructor was VERY demanding and intense. I became what we were learning about; a stressed diver.

I went down this list and took care of each of these problems that added to my stress. Two years later, I took this course again and cruised thru it.

Intensity and exertion level varies greatly from instructor to instructor. However, diver "comfort" is as important as fitness. Get real comfortable in the water with your skills and gear.