Fitness level honestly required for Rescue

[ScubaBeez]

I've been diving for about 2 years now and I am finally moving forward in my certs. I have Nitrox, Drysuit and Advanced scheduled for the next two weeks.
I am fairly confident in my assessment of my diving abilities and feel like these courses shouldn't pose any problems.
However...
My LDS is offering a Rescue course in late July and I would REALLY love to sign up for it. Problem is, this class focuses on saving peoples lives. I'm nervous that I would have difficulty or simply be the slow poke that lags behind.
I'm not in the best of shape, but by no means am I the Manatee type.
I'm 5'9" and about 30lbs more than I'd like. I've been trying to work out daily to try to get a little more strength and stamina.
I was just wondering if those of you who had taken the class would give me some clues as to what the skills are and how intense it really is. I know it is a ton of physically challenging work and I think I could do it... I just don't want to be surprised when I get there!
Thanks

 

[rongoodman]

It's hard to say, since there seems to be a lot of variation among instructors and classes. On the other hand, if something happens, you'll have to handle it with the body and fitness level you have, not what you wish you had. I doubt you will be placed under enough stress to be in danger, so I'd keep working on improving my fitness, just because it's a good thing, and sign up for the course.

 

[Guba]

Congratulations on your decision to move forward with your diving education. Also, you are to be commended for seriously evaluating your fitness level and readiness to take the Rescue course. It's a good idea.
Truthfully, only you can fully tell if you are physically ready for the course, but there are some fairly simple gauges you might employ to help you judge your abilities. While no running and direct heavy lifts are really part of the course, these activities serve as yardsticks to evaluate fitness. For example, can you run a mile continuously? Can you dead lift (from the ground to "dragging level"...not press over your head) about half your body weight? Can you stay fairly active the entire day without feeling dragged out? Do you have any chronic problems such as a "trick knee" or other joint problems?
Rescue is challenging, but it's within the reach of anyone who is moderately fit and active. I'm certain other SB'ers will chime in with other ways to check your level of fitness and otherwise help you answer your question.

 

[TSandM]

Take the class. If you want to do something in the meantime to improve your fitness, that's fine; but one of the things Rescue will teach you is what your limits ARE. For example, despite coaching in technique, I am unable to lift any of my usual dive buddies (averaging 180 to 200 lbs) to my shoulder. However, I know I can drag them enough out of the water to perform CPR. And they know what MY limits are, and are okay with them.

Rescue is an excellent class, which will teach you a lot of things that don't require particular strength. The only place strength really comes in is trying to get somebody out of the water, and if you have a paralyzed or unconscious diver and are trying to get them out of the water without any assistance, you have more problems than your strength.

 

[AirInHere]

There are also tricks to getting people out of the water if they outweigh you by a large margin. I weigh about 130 lbs soaking wet and I can easily get almost anyone out of the water if I can get them in about waist deep water and then float them onto my back. Then I can be braced up and able to support their weight easily. I doubt I could haul them around for a hundred yards, but the shore is a few steps away, and thats all I really need.

Keep excercising and go for the Rescue class. The life you save might be your own.

 

[oly5050user]

A rescue course should not be thought of as only having to "rescue other divers"..a la "Baywatch"..
Its more of learning how to prevent a situation occuring that may require a rescue.If one does occur then hopefully being able to handle it to the best of your abilities.I like to tell people they will learn better observational and visualization skills.
A large part of the course that you will take away with you after completion is the self rescue skills that you will use to prevent yourself from having to be rescued.
Just taught one this past weekend and one thing 2 of the students took with them is better technique for descents/search's and buoyancy control. One dropped as much as 6 lbs off weight system, and this is someone who has been diving since the 80's.

 

[dive_lover88]

i believe stamina is very important here. In a inwater emergency,u would need to tow the diver and provide rescue breathing at the same time. After reaching the shore or boat, you would still need to bring the victim up to the shore or the deck..and i can assure you that it aint a joke...it really winded my buddy and i while we were doing that. It would be good to build up ur upper body strength(in proportion) and stamina before the course...trust me you'll need it.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Good cardio-vascular fitness and a good spinal column will go a long way in rescue training.

 

[fisherdvm]

You are taking the class for yourself. You are not going to be a macho lifeguard, or rescue diver. Forget Baywatch. Just take the class for your sake. It never hurts to be in good physical shape to be a diver anyway. So get exercising so someone else doesn't have to perform real rescue on you.

My guess is talk to your instructor first. Explain to him/her of your concern. You'll find that most will accomodate to your degree of fitness, and not stress you out to the point of having angina or a heart attack.

But it doesn't hurt to see if you can run for at least a mile, and swim at least 200 yard non-stop before you sign up for ANY scuba class. The current requirement for a divemaster/instructor for the main organization is 400 yard time swim, 100 yard tow, and 800 yard snorkel/fin. If you can meet 1/2 or 1/3 of that, you should be fine for rescue class.

We had a good discussion here before about in water rescue breathing. I believe that most folks, including EMTS believe that in water rescue breathing is of minimal value except in a true recent drowning of a younger victim. It doesn't hurt to tow your buddy ashore and vice versa for practice anyhow to keep in shape while shore diving.

 

[seaducer]

Go ahead and take the class. Get in shape for yourself, because fitness makes almost everything easier, but don't whiff the opportunity now.

Lifting or moving people is 50% mental, 40% technique, and 10% strength.

If your instructor is good they will teach you how to work within your limits and get the job done.