PADI Rescue - Swim tests

[rligon]

Wetsuit can be a blessing or a curse. Up here a wetsuit means a Farmer John, which gives great bouyancy. In my case actually too much, trying to keep my fins underwater was a major pain. I finally ended up borrowing my son's ankle weights to shift my weight. But having a victim in one can sure make the tow go easier!

 

[RonFrank]

I did not do a swim test in Rescue. We did do a LOT of surface swimming. Rescue is more about topside, or shallow even if some of the material applies at depth. Many issues happen at the surface, so it makes sense that dealing with issues at the surface, and taking divers to the surface is a large part of the class.

As to fins, if you do have a swim test, I'd say swim with what you like to use. I own both Splits (Biofins) and paddles (a few types) so I'm in the non-camp camp!

 

[Damselfish]

When I took Rescue, the instructor was happy we didn't have split fins. His reason was he didn't think splits gave you the quick thrust that can be useful when doing many things, for example helping boost a victim out of the water onto a dock or boat. Having never used splits I don't know from personal experience, although that makes a certain intuitive sense to me.

But, Rescue shouldn't be about picking out fins to tweak out a little extra speed in a swim test - which as discussed PADI Rescue doesn't have, though there was lots of surface swimming. There's lots of more important things in Rescue to concern yourself with than showing up with a wardrobe of fins and picking what is best for each task. Wear whatever you usually wear - after all it's what you'll be wearing in real life should you ever need to use those rescue skills.

 

[dhuskins]

As pointed out, there is no swim "test" in Rescue Diver. There is a swim test in Open Water and a timed swim test in Divemaster.

For Rescue, I would recommend using the gear you normally use. It will help you better understand what you are capable of performing with your gear on a usual dive.

Should you go on to Divemaster, the timed test is with mask, snorkel and fins on the surface. It's not hard to accomplish with any modern fin since its score is added up with the scores of the other tests to determine if you pass the stamina tests.

 

[mathauck0814]

I agree completely with the poster who suggested there SHOULD be a swimming component of the rescue scenarios. In our rescue class we had one gentleman who could not swim 15 yards to bring the injured diver to shore due to poor lung health on account of his smoking. This individual was useless and nearly required rescuing himself. I will take beef with PADI that this individual was certified and that there is now a "Rescue Diver" floating around who is not capable of performing a rescue.

I digress... no, there is no swimming requirement (or seemingly rescue requirement) for the PADI rescue class.

 

[cooperscuba]

I use to use split fins (Sub-Atomic) for quarry diving and found them fine. I then started diving in the sea with strong currents and found that they weren't that good anymore. I've also had numerous guests who dive fine in quarries at home with splits but struggle in the currents when they come here.

One plus for splits, they don't seem to cause cramp as much as standard fins (as the their is less resistance on the fin strokes).

 

[rileymartin]

Has anyone else found that with the split-fins? Everything I read said they provided more propulsion. I'm going to Cozumel and was planning on bringing my split-fins. I've read they have strong currents there (drift diving) and now not sure if I will have a problem with the split-fins??????

 

[tboxcar]

I have been diving with 'splits' (Scuba Pro Twin Jets) for over 4 years now, and have twice used them in Cozumel, but even more so in SE Asia, Indonesia, Philippines and such. They handle the current 'just fine' and as mentioned below, you can really 'turn on the speed' with these and not get leg cramping problems.. I hope this does not turn into a 'split vs. non split' thread, I'm just saying they work fine in currents and there is no reason not to use them on your trip to Cozumel.

One plus for splits, they don't seem to cause cramp as much as standard fins (as the their is less resistance on the fin strokes).

I got to thinking about PADI not requiring a swim test in Rescue diving, yes it would be quite nice for all Rescue divers to have some sort of swimming skills, but by 'requiring a swimming test' it might discourage some divers, and then they might not benefit from the actual rescue skills that are so important in a Rescue diver course. Just a thought!

 

[mathauck0814]

You know, I think I agree with you to a certain extent... at least to the extent that all divers should have at a bare minimum OW+AOW+Rescue training (and specialties on top depending on their regular diving behavior). The diving community should be more fervent in ensuring that recreational divers know how to address these scenarios.

That said, I can imagine a situation where you might be on a boat without a buddy and say, "Hey, I'm a rescue diver and I'd like to pair with another rescue diver" and you might get "that guy" who received the training, but didn't have the fitness to drag the pretend victim out of the water. I don't see how that person can be rescue certified if they are physically incapable of performing the rescue.

I'm going to actually agree with the anti-PADI crowd in saying that Instructors should absolutely be given the latitude to fail people at the rescue diver level if for no other reason than it creates expectations of a level of performance that's just not necessarily there.

 

[Damselfish]

Rescue is about a lot more than just being able to drag a person out of the water. A tiny person probably couldn't drag a big person out of the water; that doesn't mean they shouldn't take the course, or shouldn't pass the course.

Instructors certainly can fail people in PADI Rescue. I know someone who failed.