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Where are you likely to have to assist or rescue someone? Is it in a pool or is it in the sea? You will need to swim in the sea if you want to work as a DM or instructor.
I'm reminded of a dive in Key Largo where a diver was swept to another boat by current and his dive boat backed up to the other dive boat to pick him up. Both boats turned off their engines and the diver jumped in. Without his fins! The current moved the boats and the diver far apart and the DM of his boat had to go after the diver and perform a rescue tow. This too can be part of your responsibilities.
Good point. I just always have to bring this up though-- I assume the rescuing DM was was wearing his fins to swim there and tow the diver back. If so, that was not swimming--aka the 400 meter test. Rule, like, #2 of Rescue course is have your mask, fins & snorkel handy at all times. My take on it is the 400 meter/yard test has nothing to do with rescuing. The 800 meter M/F/S test yes, EXCEPT you're not allowed to use arms! --which you would do if performing a rescue. I apologize for beating that dead horse again.
maristu: Best approach to the swim test (for me) is to first get your technique right--arm strokes, kicking, breathing (not too much or too little), head movements. Then swim lots to build up swim muscles--other excersises don't help all that much. I went from a "1" to a "3", but it took time.
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