Treading water?

[Jill from Phoenix]

Amazing stuff. My wife can float in a pool vertically without any arm or leg movement. Others ask how she can be standing in the deep end--they can't believe she's floating. Whereas in fresh water on my back, my feet/legs sink like stones. And SHE can't believe THAT.

A little inherent buoyancy helps, but to completely eliminate the scuffle is exemplary. Good diver.

 

[divingtpapa]

I sink like a stone, impart because I do not have a lot of body fat. When I did my 15 minute tread, I simply laid on my back, and held my breath as much as possible to keep my lungs full, and therefore float.

 

[TMHeimer]

I sink like a stone, impart because I do not have a lot of body fat. When I did my 15 minute tread, I simply laid on my back, and held my breath as much as possible to keep my lungs full, and therefore float.

I probably have more body fat than you. Still sink like a stone due to legs that still think they're 20 years old (no fat there...). But that's a good idea, breath-holding full lungs--I must try it next time I'm in a pool. Still seems like more work to me than drown proofing, and something I wouldn't want to depend on if really "out at sea" in need of 9 hours of floating in fresh water.

 

[MX727]

The "tread" is very easy. I had been sick, real sick with a respiratory infection, for the entire month before my DM classes. No exercise whatsoever and my lungs were way out of shape.

I am a major league sinker. Even my instructor was surprised. For the tread, I alternated between floating on my back and drown proofing. It was over before I knew it. Remember that you only have to have your hands out of water, not your entire arms.

 

[TMHeimer]

MX727, Exactly, if you know the right method for yourself. As I asked before, why is this then part of the "Stamina" tests when almost no stamina or strength is involved?

 

[ZeroG]

So for the PADI Divemaster tread water test is it ok to;

Float face down, lifting head out periodically to breathe.

 

[mmerriman]

So for the PADI Divemaster tread water test is it ok to;

Float face down, lifting head out periodically to breathe.

yes

 

[ZeroG]

Thanks, that is consistent with how I interpret the PADI requirement. My instructor asked me to keep my mouth out of the water, i.e. face up the whole time.

I'm not sure I want to challenge him on this. Could be he just wants us to be highly proficient, and go above and beyond. I think that's a good thing, if I can pass.

He also want 3 points or better on all the swim test. Not sure I can.

 

[Saniflush]

Thanks, that is consistent with how I interpret the PADI requirement. My instructor asked me to keep my mouth out of the water, i.e. face up the whole time.

I'm not sure I want to challenge him on this. Could be he just wants us to be highly proficient, and go above and beyond. I think that's a good thing, if I can pass.

He also want 3 points or better on all the swim test. Not sure I can.

Steady swim will get it done. I took off like a shot out of a cannon when I did it the first time cause I had been swimming a good bit to get ready for it and I was nervous. I smoked the first 100 yards. Unfortunately, I had gassed myself doing so and limped through the next 300.
Just swim a steady pace and you'll do fine. Get some practice in so you can learn what pace will suit you for the time you want.

 

[mmerriman]

Thanks, that is consistent with how I interpret the PADI requirement. My instructor asked me to keep my mouth out of the water, i.e. face up the whole time.

I'm not sure I want to challenge him on this. Could be he just wants us to be highly proficient, and go above and beyond. I think that's a good thing, if I can pass.

He also want 3 points or better on all the swim test. Not sure I can.

i think he wants to make sure you're still breathing...