Scuba Diving test

[spector39]

I'm in somewhat decent shape and I found it to be pretty tiring, but like everyone else in my class I got through it. Definitely take your time (I think I went too fast in the beginning which hurt me in the end.) The other hard thing for me in the OW class was treading water for 10 minutes. I dog paddled most of the time but later learned that the dead man float is the way to go on that.

 

[Louie]

The test requires either
200 metres/yards swimming
or
300 metres/yards snorkel/fins swim.

I've found that a lot of people prefer the snorkel swim.

There is no time limit - you're only required to finish it in a reasonable amount of time.

There is also a tread/float in deep water for 10 minutes.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've found that whether you do the 200 freestyle or 300 mask fins & snorkel, and whether you have a choice (you're supposed to, I think) is up to the instructor you have. If you get a choice, do the 300. If you must do the 200, lots of practise MAY be in order. Contrary to what most say, I feel that the efficiency of your stroke/form/breathing is considerably more important than what shape you're in, though being in good overall shape certainly helps. I call being able to do this being in "swimming" shape. It has almost nothing to do with SCUBA, IMHO.

 

[Gunrock0811]

My instructor raced with me in open water. I will never forget it! It seemed more than 300 meters and halfway through it i was swimming with jelly fishes! I finished the swim and was showered with vinegar..LOL.

 

[svnipp]

The purpose of the swim and tread are to demonstrate comfort and proficiency in the water more than anything else. If you can't complete the swim and tread, you really should consider improving your swimming skills before taking on s tuba, which is of course the point. Of course, I was a swimmer in high school and 500 yards was a typical warmup with 3 to 5 miles being a pretty normal workout.

 

[JTH2711]

Imagine you are trying to swim back to boat after a dive. No time limit and any stroke counts. You just have to back to the boat

 

[TMHeimer]

Imagine you are trying to swim back to boat after a dive. No time limit and any stroke counts. You just have to back to the boat

Not relevant. You have fins on. Most anyone in shape can do that with little trouble.

 

[TMHeimer]

The purpose of the swim and tread are to demonstrate comfort and proficiency in the water more than anything else. If you can't complete the swim and tread, you really should consider improving your swimming skills before taking on s tuba, which is of course the point. Of course, I was a swimmer in high school and 500 yards was a typical warmup with 3 to 5 miles being a pretty normal workout.

Agree completely. Last sentence points out the skill of swimming. If your not an experienced swimmer, or (as in my case) it has been 40 years since you were on the H.S. swim team and haven't actually swam a stroke since, better check yourself out and see what your form is like.

 

[Mike Boswell]

Swimming is easy if you know how, but very hard if you don't. I strongly recommend you get some coaching for an hour or two. Then all you need is practice to strenthen the muscles.

You really owe it to yourself, your family and friends, and to the divers you will be diving with, to learn how to swim well.

 

[fjpatrum]

I did a back stroke for the entire swim requirement. I didn't have any swim goggles so I didn't bother with freestyle swimming and just went for easy and slow. The treading water was much more difficult for me since I sink if I stop moving.

As others have said, it's not too difficult but best bet is to get to a pool and try it out before the class starts.