Divemaster swim test

[A. Berk]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Watch what kind of fins you use for the snorkle swim.

That's a good point... I used 2 pairs; full-foot Mares Avante's for the swim, which brought me home in 2nd place just behind a fulltime life-guard (git), then I changed-down a 'gear' to more floppy pool fins to avoid cramping on the diver tow.

Berko

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

.. 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.

Mal

By feel

The being without a mask doesn't bother me at all so I'm not too worried about that bit (am I allowed to wear swimming goggles under my mask? Show me where it says I can't!). I'm going to use a bcd as I don't fancy attempting it in a single piece harness and wing, but I do need to acquaint myself with the clips, straps etc as I haven't worn a bcd since my OW course. Plus I have to do the kit off/on and weightbelt off/on underwater thingy as well.

[macstinator]

These are a doddle! I smoke 20 a day and I did them easily,all at once, in the sea, albeit in Thailand, with a hangover! Surely this is yet another damning indictment of British fitness!

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

By feel

The being without a mask doesn't bother me at all so I'm not too worried about that bit (am I allowed to wear swimming goggles under my mask? Show me where it says I can't!). I'm going to use a bcd as I don't fancy attempting it in a single piece harness and wing, but I do need to acquaint myself with the clips, straps etc as I haven't worn a bcd since my OW course. Plus I have to do the kit off/on and weightbelt off/on underwater thingy as well.

The being without the mask is not the problem for many .... not being able to clear it without the reg normally gets people thinking.....

[Keith Whittaker]

You lucky buggers, doing your swim tests in pools and such. I had to do mine in Bovi harbour in just my swimming trunks and it was bloody cold.

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

The being without the mask is not the problem for many .... not being able to clear it without the reg normally gets people thinking.....

Ah yes. I thought I'd do my bit when it was my turn with the reg, even if it takes two 'goes'. Good job it ain't timed.

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Keith Whittaker

You lucky buggers, doing your swim tests in pools and such. I had to do mine in Bovi harbour in just my swimming trunks and it was bloody cold.

I'm going to do mine at the Waterfront harbour in my skin. I figure the swim will warm me up

[purple vonny]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

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

That's fine and dandy if your instructor is kind enough to give you a few minutes to discuss it.... mine just said "right, get in, we're doing kit exchange"

1/4 hour later, out I came, swearing and cursing but jubilant that I hadn't hit the surface at any point. The whole point is that you have to deal with stress, even if you are expecting it.

If you are very sneaky, Kirstie, you could give the other person your mask so at least you get your own to finish the exercise. like you, I suffer leaky mask syndrome and couldn't clear his cressi big eyes so wasted 2 breaths out of every 3 blowing water out of the mask!!

[A. Berk]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

If you are very sneaky, Kirstie, you could give the other person your mask so at least you get your own to finish the exercise.

Then you could get them to 'clear' it for you before they hand it back...

Berko

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

That's fine and dandy if your instructor is kind enough to give you a few minutes to discuss it.... mine just said "right, get in, we're doing kit exchange"

1/4 hour later, out I came, swearing and cursing but jubilant that I hadn't hit the surface at any point. The whole point is that you have to deal with stress, even if you are expecting it.

If you are very sneaky, Kirstie, you could give the other person your mask so at least you get your own to finish the exercise. like you, I suffer leaky mask syndrome and couldn't clear his cressi big eyes so wasted 2 breaths out of every 3 blowing water out of the mask!!

When I did mine it was described as an exercise in communication and problem solving So we had to work out how we were going to do it before we got in the water. Still came apart a bit with the mask clear section though.

Mal