Another question is if dive pros are required to do a lifesaving course should lifeguards be required to take a rescue diver course? I know that's impractical as they would first need an OW course and equipment. But still, it can be a matter of money vs. the chances of a diver actually needing lifeguard skills for the one in a million chance he might have to rescue someone in a non-dive situation with no lifeguards around.
Huh? Rarely are lifeguards around divers nor are most lifeguards certified divers themselves, so I would say no. The exception would be ocean lifeguards along the coasts where alot of shore diving occurs. I do believe that lifeguards, especially professional lifeguards, in these situations are trained to rescue a diver once they are on the surface. That is not the same thing as taking a rescue diver course.
Who said anything about rescuing someone in a non-dive situation when a lifeguard is not around? My argument is that lifesaving skills are very, very helpful to allow you, as a dive professional, to perform a rescue in just about all diving situations.
The argument I am trying to make is that becoming a dive professional means you are now working in a professional capacity that involves taking students in and around water. It is hard to anticipate exactly what type of assistance may be required in an emergency. To best prepare, dive professionals must possess exceptional diver rescue skills. They must also be current in CPR and First Aid. Those are all great. However, there are elements that seem to be missing. Why not require dive professionals to be trained in lifeguard skills? Why not require dive professionals to be trained in oxygen first aid? Those seem to be very useful skills, almost essential skills, to have available to you. However, the agency I'm certified through does not require them. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
Back to your original post. I would be very disappointed if PADI dropped the 400 yard swim requirement. I feel strongly that dive professionals should, as a prerequisite, be reasonably strong swimmers and possess above average stamina and fitness. How best to test those than to require a timed swim of moderate length?