Padi dm

[RJP]

During that time I came to fully understand the point made in the post I quoted above. If a diver is in trouble and needs someone to tow him or her to safety, it is not the time for a DM who can't handle the job. I was glad I had done the extra work in preparation for the course, and I continue to make sure, even though I don't do any actual DM-type work, that I am capable of bringing a troubled diver to safety.

I've always been a strong swimmer, and got 5/5 on all the stamina tests, but I can tell you the first time I had to jump off a boat in response to the captain yelling "Holy s--t, holy s-hit! Diver up. Non-responsive! Get in the water! Get in the water!" I got to see that a mere 100ft out-and-back swim in 4' swells and current towing an honest to goodness non-responsive diver in doubles, drysuit, etc, etc, is a lot more work than you can imagine during any sort of "stamina exercise" or "rescue scenario."

:shocked2:

 

[boulderjohn]

I've always been a strong swimmer, and got 5/5 on all the stamina tests, but I can tell you the first time I had to jump off a boat in response to the captain yelling "Holy s--t, holy s-hit! Diver up. Non-responsive! Get in the water! Get in the water!" I got to see that a mere 100ft out-and-back swim in 4' swells and current towing an honest to goodness non-responsive diver in doubles, drysuit, etc, etc, is a lot more work than you can imagine during any sort of "stamina exercise" or "rescue scenario."

:shocked2:

I am sure you are right.

 

[sjmueller61990]

i know the feeling of rescuing someone, i was a life guard and did a rescue or 2 while i was there, everything is really fast paces. absolutly no room for mistakes.

 

[divingtpapa]

I am working on my Divemaster course, and I have been going to the gym at least 3 times a week for swim, just to build the stamina for these skills assessments. I have really enjoyed this class so far.

 

[TMHeimer]

My take on the staminas: 800 mfs basically tests your leg strength. 100 diver tow tests your overall strength. 15 min. float is strictly related to your natural buoyancy--if you can float in fresh water it is no work or strength at all except a little kicking for the 2 mins. hands out part. If you are negatively buoyant (like me) do it by"drown proofing" (inhale, let your face/head drift under with your lungs' air keeping your body afloat--come up for air now and again). This method is also almost no work/strength required. 400 swim: It definately helps to be in good overall shape (running, bike, etc.), but most important is to have good enough swim form (breathing, kicks per arm stroke, etc.) for whatever form you choose (crawl most likely), and to be in good SWIMMING shape, which most likely means getting in lots of laps frequently at a pool. Only ONE DMC at our (big) shop ever got a 5 on the 400 and he is a highly competitive swimmer in the province.

 

[GregT943]

The 400 meter swim is the only one I didn't get a 5 on (I got a 3, but that was with some current). Everything else is pretty easy and you should get a 5 on if you are in good shape and have been practicing.

You will also have to perform a skill circuit and an equipment exchange. To get really good at this I would practice all the time with the other DMTs. Just practice everything as much as possible and you will do fine

 

[DevonDiver]

Some LDS will hold their DMs to a higher standard then what PADI requires.

Its just little things like:
On the DM swim tests you have to get at least a 3 or it doesn't count and your doing it again until you score a 3 or higher.

Then those LDS would be in violation of PADI standards.

 

[Ste Wart]

Personally I think PADI could benefit from having the stamina waterskills in all the Pro courses (OWSI, IDC, even CD).

I did a crossover to IANTD a few years back and was required to do their stamina skills as a part of the crossover. The main challenge was that you were only allowed to rest 5 minutes between each exercise. My legs were on fire by the end of the session. But I felt good about my fitness. I'm also dreading the fact that when I finally get around to upgrading to Normoxc Instructor I have a 900m timed swim in doubles to look forward to :shocked2:

This is something that is lacking in today's dive instructors IMHO.

 

[mmerriman]

Originally Posted by FlyinV
Some LDS will hold their DMs to a higher standard then what PADI requires.

Its just little things like:
On the DM swim tests you have to get at least a 3 or it doesn't count and your doing it again until you score a 3 or higher.

"Then those LDS would be in violation of PADI standards. "

Right - if they withheld the cert it would be a violation of standards, but its perfectly fine for them to say "you don't work for us as a DM unless you can do ..."

 

[TMHeimer]

Originally Posted by FlyinV
Some LDS will hold their DMs to a higher standard then what PADI requires.

Its just little things like:
On the DM swim tests you have to get at least a 3 or it doesn't count and your doing it again until you score a 3 or higher.

"Then those LDS would be in violation of PADI standards. "

Right - if they withheld the cert it would be a violation of standards, but its perfectly fine for them to say "you don't work for us as a DM unless you can do ..."

Our LDS takes the stance "We'd like you to get at least a 3 on everything". But I think they'd hire you if you didn't, especially if there is a need. Does make you think though--If the PADI standards are deemed too low for some shops to decide to hire you then perhaps the standards should be raised? An old can of worms, I know.