northen diver
Contributor
Tangential arguments. Diving skills are not in question here, and neither is specifically the swimming ability of the individual. Although I do agree with the aspect of specificity of training when it comes to the need to swim any distance.
I have no intention of diving with severly deconditioned buddies, as I don't want to increase the likelihood that I'm going to have to deal with the rescue and (in the USA) the very likely lawsuit from the family in denial that I somehow contributed to the individual's death due to improper eating, lack of exercise, and not being aware enough of their own limitations to know when to stay out of the water.
My personal situation?
I'm in my 50's, still about 20 lbs overweight, but have lost 25 lbs in the last year. How did I get that big? When I retired from the Army I swore the next I was running that someone would be chasing me. Found out that wasn't working out too well.
I now lift weights 4 days per week, run 35-50 miles per month, swim approximately 3-5 miles per month, and snorkel about 5-7 miles per month. I augment it with a comprehensive stretching program, for general reasons as well as ensuring I can reach my valves when necessary.
I track my progress for in-water training against the PADI DM test (swim, snorkel, etc.) and maintain a 16-18 pt scoring ability, and for out of water, I use both the Army PFT and Marine PFT events (scoring 283 and 177 pts, respectively as of this month).
I ask nothing of others that I don't demand of myself. I don't expect my buddy to be a marathoner (one is), but if you (editorial "you", not northern diver specifically) don't even TRY to stay fit, why should I be the one who will have to drag you out while performing in-water resuscitation?
Not throwing stones, but I believe that you are an instructor and you didnt keep yourself fit and were overweight, yet you were able to teach. Does that make you a unsafe instructor with your students? I dont think so.
My point is dont push ones perceived "fitness test" on me to get a C card. Ones fitness should be a personal choice. I dont want a training agency telling me that I have to run x miles in x amount of time, or be able to do x number of laps in a pool in x amount of time. I have no problem with a swim test since we are in the water on scuba, but why time it. Even todays lifegaurds swim test is going away from the timed 300-500 yard swim tests. I personally enjoy excercising. I run 30-40 miles per week, bike 40 + miles per day and enjoy mini triathons and half marathons. So I am not saying this because I am one of those that dont like to exercise. If I dont want to dive with someone for whatever reason, such as they smoke, are overweight, are out of shape, or they cuss or whatever, that is my choice that I can make on my own without an agency telling me other wise.