Swimming
- Thread starter jrl5549
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Herk_Man
Contributor
Can she pass the [insert certification agency of choice] swim test? That seems to be the standard set by professionals.
PatW
Contributor
The swim test is not very hard. It has two parts. You have to be able to float in deep water for 10 minutes.
The other thing is you have to be able to swim 200 meters.
So, just find a decent size pool and practice some. If she can swim at all, she should be able to do it. Learning a basic stroke would really help. Another thing to master is feeling comfortable in the water. If you do not feel comfortable in the water, you have no business scuba diving.
The other thing is you have to be able to swim 200 meters.
So, just find a decent size pool and practice some. If she can swim at all, she should be able to do it. Learning a basic stroke would really help. Another thing to master is feeling comfortable in the water. If you do not feel comfortable in the water, you have no business scuba diving.
I does not have to look pretty.
I have no decent swimming technique-- that is, no well defined stroke. But I can stay afloat as long as required and get from one place to another with my own, inefficient technique. Having confidence and survivability as a swimmer seems to be of most concern in the basic cert. If it's PADI Open Water, you don't really have to free swim at all. Just be able to go a specified distance with mask, fins and snorkel. And also tread water/float for 10 minutes.
I have no decent swimming technique-- that is, no well defined stroke. But I can stay afloat as long as required and get from one place to another with my own, inefficient technique. Having confidence and survivability as a swimmer seems to be of most concern in the basic cert. If it's PADI Open Water, you don't really have to free swim at all. Just be able to go a specified distance with mask, fins and snorkel. And also tread water/float for 10 minutes.
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She is not afraid of the water or scared of getting her face wet. I have met a lot of people like that. She just says she is not a swimmer.
I am glad to hear some divers say they are not the greatest swimmers (digger54). My instructor knew I was a good swimmer and we never talked about what swimming was required. I have always been a swimmer so it is hard for me to have a different view.
I am glad to hear some divers say they are not the greatest swimmers (digger54). My instructor knew I was a good swimmer and we never talked about what swimming was required. I have always been a swimmer so it is hard for me to have a different view.
- Messages
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You don't need to be a great swimmer to be a good diver, but you do need to have a high panic threshold in the water. Most people who are good swimmers also have a high panic threshold in the water, most people who are not good swimmers have a low panic threshold when in the water. That is the real issue. Experienced instructors know that swim tests are just a way to get a read on the potential student's in-water panic threshold.
jrl5549:
Which is it? If she's not a great swimmer, she can swim. If she is not a swimmer, she can't swim. If she can't swim, swimming lessons should come before diving lessons.
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