Stamina Assessment and Development
There are four exercises that evaluate stamina and waterskills, each rated by points. There is no passing score for any single exercise, but a combined score of 12 or more is required prior to certification. In addition, candidates must complete all exercises prior to certification. Candidates who fall short of a combined score of 12 may be given time to practice and develop their abilities while continuing in other areas of the course.
Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre Swim
The candidate must swim 400 metres without stopping using no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes desired. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
400 metres
Time Points
under 6 min, 30 sec 5
6 min, 30 sec to 8 min, 40 sec 4
8 min, 40 seconds to 11 min 3
11 to 13 min 2
more than 13 min 1
stopped incomplete
Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2 minutes. A candidate with a physical challenge that makes it difficult/impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.
Criteria Points
Performed satisfactorily 5
Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
Used side/bottom for support more than twice incomplete
Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre Snorkel Swim
Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim nonstop for 800 metres. The candidate may not use arms to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg use and arm-swimming is the individual's normal swimming method while diving. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
800 metres
Time Points
under 14 min 5
14 to 16 min 4
16 min, 30 sec to 18 min, 30 sec 3
18 min, 30 sec to 21 min 2
more than 21 min 1
incomplete stopped
Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres Inert Diver Tow
Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 metres nonstop without assistance. Note that this is a swimming power evaluation (speed-against-drag) not a rescue evaluation. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
100 metres
Time Points
under 2 min, 10 sec 5
2 min,10 sec to 3 min, 15 sec 4
3 min, 15 sec to 4 min. 20 sec 3
4 min. 20 sec to 5 min, 30 sec 2
more than 5 min, 30 sec 1
stopped incomplete
PS - I'm 56, not in great shape, got 3 points for swim, 5 for tread, 3 for tow, and 3 for 100m - I think practice would improve times, especially with finning technique
There are four exercises that evaluate stamina and waterskills, each rated by points. There is no passing score for any single exercise, but a combined score of 12 or more is required prior to certification. In addition, candidates must complete all exercises prior to certification. Candidates who fall short of a combined score of 12 may be given time to practice and develop their abilities while continuing in other areas of the course.
Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre Swim
The candidate must swim 400 metres without stopping using no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes desired. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
400 metres
Time Points
under 6 min, 30 sec 5
6 min, 30 sec to 8 min, 40 sec 4
8 min, 40 seconds to 11 min 3
11 to 13 min 2
more than 13 min 1
stopped incomplete
Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2 minutes. A candidate with a physical challenge that makes it difficult/impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.
Criteria Points
Performed satisfactorily 5
Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
Used side/bottom for support more than twice incomplete
Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre Snorkel Swim
Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim nonstop for 800 metres. The candidate may not use arms to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg use and arm-swimming is the individual's normal swimming method while diving. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
800 metres
Time Points
under 14 min 5
14 to 16 min 4
16 min, 30 sec to 18 min, 30 sec 3
18 min, 30 sec to 21 min 2
more than 21 min 1
incomplete stopped
Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres Inert Diver Tow
Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 metres nonstop without assistance. Note that this is a swimming power evaluation (speed-against-drag) not a rescue evaluation. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
100 metres
Time Points
under 2 min, 10 sec 5
2 min,10 sec to 3 min, 15 sec 4
3 min, 15 sec to 4 min. 20 sec 3
4 min. 20 sec to 5 min, 30 sec 2
more than 5 min, 30 sec 1
stopped incomplete
PS - I'm 56, not in great shape, got 3 points for swim, 5 for tread, 3 for tow, and 3 for 100m - I think practice would improve times, especially with finning technique
