If you have a choice.....

[paddler3d]

When I pulled my freediving fins out of my bag poolside the look on the cd's face was priceless. He followed that look up with "you have got to be shi**ng me!". I really enjoyed my time on the pool deck waiting for the others to finish.
Eric

I too did the freediving fins out for my swim test. Smoked the test, but the last couple of laps my legs were beginning to feel it

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I need to look at my figures from back then, but I think I did it in around 13 minutes in my jets. I just pounded out a flutter with my Jets, but then I have very big and muscular legs. I don't think I could keep that pace today.

I think it would be really good for active instructors/dm's to have to retest on stamina every 5 years. I think a lot of active instructors probably could not score enough points to pass dm now.

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Mask and snorkel, fins, weightbelt, and diving suit (3mm in our case).

You had to use a weightbelt??? How many pounds and WHY?

 

[The Chairman]

I think it would be really good for active instructors/dm's to have to retest on stamina every 5 years. I think a lot of active instructors probably could not score enough points to pass dm now.

I did this for years on a monthly basis. Kept me focused and in shape. I agree with you that I need to get it back.

 

[beester]

Funny... one of our Assistant Instructor tests is the following:

- 1500m surface swim with snorkel, fully equiped scuba gear, timed at 50 minutes. You need to be able to commence your dive within 2 min after finishing this test. So this really means you need all your scubagear and all your leadweight.

I did it with jetfins. Trick was to alter fin kicks... a couple of min flutter kick, a couple of min frog kick, rince and repeat. Don't start to fast, but get in your stride. If you cramp up because you start out too fast it's game over.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I did this for years on a monthly basis. Kept me focused and in shape. I agree with you that I need to get it back.

I was not really pointing my finger at you; I see plenty of working, teaching status pros who I doubt could score enough points to pass PADI DM standards. :kiss2:

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Funny... one of our Assistant Instructor tests is the following:

- 1500m surface swim with snorkel, fully equiped scuba gear, timed at 50 minutes. You need to be able to commence your dive within 2 min after finishing this test. So this really means you need all your scubagear and all your leadweight.

HUH!!!! Sounds silly. Short of proving you could do it (and endurance) what does this prove??? Meaning: You increased the orig test, where would this pose useful??? Is 900m not enough to show one's got endurance?

 

[Walter]

I did my timed swim (1200 yds) for YMCA AI in Jets. I do not remember my time (it was 26 years ago), but I was way under the requirement and no issues with cramps. Jets are great all round fins.

 

[beester]

HUH!!!! Sounds silly. Short of proving you could do it (and endurance) what does this prove??? Meaning: You increased the orig test, where would this pose useful??? Is 900m not enough to show one's got endurance?

First of all the PADI standard is not the end all ... This test is part of the AI curriculum for a CMAS agency. 2nd this test is done with full scuba gear in open water. Since most of our local dives are shore dives in a tidal estuary it's linked to that environment. Meaning endurance and being able to support yourself a bit in an emergency (getting swept away etc).

What I'm trying to say is such endurance tests are easy peasy if you alter kicks and don't start of too fast.

 

[g1138]

You had to use a weightbelt??? How many pounds and WHY?

Most divers going to UCSC got their gear from the LDS package deal when they did basic ow: Mares Avanti Fins or ScubaPro split fins or ScubaPro Twin max, all of which are a little floaty.

In general we have to wear weight to
A: help keep your feet below the water
B: conform to your skin diving outfit which is always weighted (we dive cold waters here)
C: 3mm wetsuits still make you floaty believe it or not

You need minimum of 2 lbs (our lowest size block @ the pool)
I wore 4 lbs