Divemaster swim test

[John Gulliver]

Glad to hear you all found the tests so easy. I didn't, and neither did most of the other DM candidates in my group, who, by the way, were half my age. I thought the timed swim was tough and the last two minutes of the tread water test were bloody hard work. My advice is start training.

[LHatton]

I've got my swim test on Sunday, and i'm beginning to wish I had put a bit of training in before-hand. Oh well.

[dlegros]

Try to avaid laughing during the last two minutes of the tread water - really bu**ers you up!

Dom

[darthmoll]

Originally Posted by dlegros

The timings and scores are:

Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre/Yard Swim
<6:30 min - 5
6:30 to 8:40 - 4
8:40 to 11:00 - 3
11:00 to 13:00 - 2
>13:00 min - 1
Stopped - incomplete

Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Arms out of water for last 2 minutes
Performed satisfactorily 5
Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
Used side/bottom for support more than twice incomplete

Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre/Yard Snorkel Swim
<14:00 minutes - 5
14:00 to 16:30 - 4
16:30 to 18:30 - 3
18:30 to 21:00 - 2
>21:00 min - 1
Stopped - incomplete

Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres/Yard Inert Diver Tow
<2:10 min - 5
2:10 to 3:15 - 4
3:15 to 4:20 - 3
4:20 to 5:30 - 2
>5:30 min - 1
Stopped - incomplete

Personally, I found the tow the hardest as we were in a 10m pool, so that was ten turns with a fully kitted diver!

Dom

Doing this test in a ten meter pool is pants, a good push off and you are at the other side. Its not yards/meters, its the same distance converted into meters and yards, cant be bothered looking up the manual just now but i will if it causes anyone heart ache.

[dlegros]

The push off trick only works if you are allowed to push off!

I forgot to delete the "yards" from the above when I C&Pd from the manual - my bad!

Dom

[jaylee33]

managed a 4 for the swim doing breaststroke, however during the 15 min tread water, hands up etc........watch out someone doesn't try and pull your trunks off towards the 15 min finish line! My then instructor did, and if I stopped treading then I'd do it again>>>!!!! Bit naughty and extremely embarrasing!!:o

[LHatton]

OK, having just done the swim test here's my two cents worth:

I passed, but it wasn't east, infact i was pretty bloody knackered after doing it, then again i did no prep at all. I'd have thought a bit of training and it shouldn't cause you to much troule.

Lee

[Tony F]

completed the equipment exchange last night, I'd say mask first is a good tip.

[Kirstie]

Found this thread and have been reading it with interest.

I've very nearly finished my DM course (it's only taken me 7 months , but I've been doing lots of rescue diver-ing on courses as practice during that time in my defence).

I've been putting off the swim test and now have to bite the bullet as it's one of the few things left to do. I did the treadwater on holiday and got a 5, the tow at Bovisand (pulled Turbs in his twin 7s) and got a 3, so only need a 2 for both the snorkel and swim.

I also have to do the kit swap, which I'm doing on Sunday morning in the pool (outdoor but heated). I've got a plan in my head (mask first, bcd instead of wing, extra weight on my belt so I don't float off etc...). I'm not worried about this, my only fear is that I'll start giggling at the ludicrousness of it all, and have to surface.

I'm going to do the swim test in the sea in my swimmies as I can't stand indoor pools, and the outdoor one is way too small. My problem is that I can only do breast stroke and am a slow swimmer. I can cover the distance (I think) but it's the time that's bothering me. And I've never really done any snorkelling.

I feel better for having bleated on about it. I'll just get on with it, shall I?

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Found this thread and have been reading it with interest.

I've very nearly finished my DM course (it's only taken me 7 months , but I've been doing lots of rescue diver-ing on courses as practice during that time in my defence).

I've been putting off the swim test and now have to bite the bullet as it's one of the few things left to do. I did the treadwater on holiday and got a 5, the tow at Bovisand (pulled Turbs in his twin 7s) and got a 3, so only need a 2 for both the snorkel and swim.

I also have to do the kit swap, which I'm doing on Sunday morning in the pool (outdoor but heated). I've got a plan in my head (mask first, bcd instead of wing, extra weight on my belt so I don't float off etc...). I'm not worried about this, my only fear is that I'll start giggling at the ludicrousness of it all, and have to surface.

I'm going to do the swim test in the sea in my swimmies as I can't stand indoor pools, and the outdoor one is way too small. My problem is that I can only do breast stroke and am a slow swimmer. I can cover the distance (I think) but it's the time that's bothering me. And I've never really done any snorkelling.

I feel better for having bleated on about it. I'll just get on with it, shall I?

Good luck Kirstie.....you have plenty of help at hand I know so I'd recommend working through the kit exchange a bit ..... just how exactly are you going to cope with the bit where neither of you has a mask on and you only have one regulator to breathe from, between you.

After that it's easy

Mal