Dive Master Training, Swim Test went back in class

[SentinelAce]

I am not doing good on the swim tests and currently in a class. I completed them but got a low low score for the 15 treat and 400 yard swim. Any thoughts on how I can recover and still pass the class? I am starting to stress. I haven't swam in years but in am good shape and workout a lot. My technique with swimming is just bad. Thoughts?

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I feel your pain man. I'm currently in a DM program myself and have the swims to do. Mine are timed, though, and I'm kinda sweating it. I know they'll likely be done in a 25 yd pool, which means I'll be able to make lots of turns, but still, 10 minutes to swim almost a quarter mile.....it's really weighing on me. I don't know how the points system works for my agency or if there even is one, but I think I'll be able to score high enough in the other skills to pass either way. But still....I don't want to fail or even score low on any part of it. Wish I had some advice for how you could improve but I'm in the same place you are. So at the very least.....you're not alone.

 

[SentinelAce]

I feel your pain man. I'm currently in a DM program myself and have the swims to do. Mine are timed, though, and I'm kinda sweating it. I know they'll likely be done in a 25 yd pool, which means I'll be able to make lots of turns, but still, 10 minutes to swim almost a quarter mile.....it's really weighing on me. I don't know how the points system works for my agency or if there even is one, but I think I'll be able to score high enough in the other skills to pass either way. But still....I don't want to fail or even score low on any part of it. Wish I had some advice for how you could improve but I'm in the same place you are. So at the very least.....you're not alone.

I did the swim in over 12 minutes. First time I swam in 20 years....ugh. So I bombed it

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I did the swim in over 12 minutes. First time I swam in 20 years....ugh. So I bombed it

What agency are you training under? Due to it not currently being public information (at least not for another couple days) I'm not at liberty to say mine just yet. But it's not PADI or NAUI.

 

[SentinelAce]

What agency are you training under? Due to it not currently being public information (at least not for another couple days) I'm not at liberty to say mine just yet. But it's not PADI or NAUI.

Its PADI. They basically told me, I can redo it if I need to so I feel better

 

[Diving Dubai]

I was a 50 year old smoker when I ooh my tests - in a pool being useless at swimming

Basically play tactically. If you can’t max the stress test or tread water you should walk away.

That gives you 5 points needed over 3 skills

DM isn’t a badge of honour nor a card for bragging rights, if you’re working you may need to use those skills. So people have a choice, either man up and practise or quit DM

You can of course retake as many times as you need

 

[hilljo88]

Like most things, you can learn to swim and tread if you put time into it There are youtube videos you can look at to get pointers on technique. You probably have a local Y or community pool where you can practice. There is also likely someone there who will give you lessons at a reasonable price. Take your time, don't take short cuts, break the skills down to their separate parts. Give yourself modest goals and work up to the full distances required. You don't need to be an Olympic class swimmer, but you need reasonable competence and you need to feel confident in the water.

 

[EireDiver606]

I was a 50 year old smoker when I ooh my tests - in a pool being useless at swimming

Basically play tactically. If you can’t max the stress test or tread water you should walk away.

That gives you 5 points needed over 3 skills

DM isn’t a badge of honour nor a card for bragging rights, if you’re working you may need to use those skills. So people have a choice, either man up and practise or quit DM

You can of course retake as many times as you need

I think trying to progress is better than just quitting if you can’t do it yet. What sort of motivation is that?

 

[Diving Dubai]

I think trying to progress is better than just quitting if you can’t do it yet. What sort of motivation is that?

It’s harsh, yes

Too often I see DMC’S think it’s an attendance course. It isn’t. They are no longer “students” the are potential Pro’s. The get mentored and assisted, they also get told if they’re not performing

Just like Tech training attitude is important

My personal decision maker is would I allow the candidate to Guide my step kids both newly qualified diver’s. Which on qualification they’d be able to do

None of these tests are a secret. They are in the standards that DMC’s Get with their course pack. Everyone knows the score

I struggled with a couple but I’d made the effort to get out their and practise in advance, like many others do. You have to grit your teeth and “man up”

At the end of the day there are written standards to achieve, time and points. You either make the score and pass or you don’t and fail.

My weakest was my 400m. I left it till last only needing to get the minimum to pass, I actually got a point or two more in the end

 

[boulderjohn]

Several thoughts...

I worked on my DM requirements with another student. I was not a great surface swimmer. I am what is known as a sinker. I can lie comfortable on the bottom of a pool while holding my breath. That was one of the reasons I became a diver--I hated the effort of swimming on the surface. My friend was even worse than I was. He had terrible technique. He found an online site that taught swimming technique and practiced over and over until within a very short time, he was pretty darned good. I didn't do that. I just went to the local recreation center several days a week and swam and swam and swam until I was thoroughly exhausted each day. I ended up doing pretty well when I finally took the tests.

Not too long after I got the DM certification, I assisted a class. When the students were doing the swim requirement, I saw that everyone in the class was a superb swimmer. The instructor pointed out one in particular, one of the best of them all, and told me her story. Only 6 months before, she had taken a Discover Scuba class in Australia even though she was pretty much a non-swimmer. She had nearly drowned. She cried the whole way back to shore, but during that boat ride she vowed that she would not be defeated. As soon as she was back in the USA, she signed up for swim lessons, and here she was just a few months later, confidently doing the swim test at the start of scuba instruction. She proved to be an outstanding student, passing the class with flying colors.