Just out of curiosity, what set of standards would you set up for ones physical fitness? I am no triathalon and have put on a few pound the past couple of months but was able to satisfy my instructors requirements to continue on with my certification. I know I could be in "better shape" and am working on that but what would you say a person should be able to do as a pre-requisite to diving?
Knowing you limits is one of the most important things people need to understand, beside not holding your breath
If your gut tells you something doesn't feel right generally it isn't, at least with me it is. I know not to take a double black diamond with moguls on a snowboard not cause it is too difficult, it's just not fun, at least for me, but if its flat out I can handle my own.
So what should a standard physical diving exam consist of? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I just want the opinion of experienced divers who know what the risks are first hand and the different challenges that can come into play while underwater.
I personally feel that while being trained the instructor should try and re-create some of these experiences, such as pulling your mask off as you swim or pull the regulator out of your mouth to see how you would react to a problem of this nature. Put some rope in the water so you get a little tangled up, hell try some whodini tricks while your at it. I hope that he tried to make it as uncomfortable as possible and put me in situations that can occur in a controlled enviornment like a pool so that I can keep my bearings and deal with it in a calm manner and not try and shoot for the surface while in the ocean. It all works well in theory, but when it happens that is the true test, and without experience and training you can't learn to deal with these situations.
