Time credit for turns in the pool

divezonescuba · Mar 24, 2009

I recent took the 800 yard DM snorkel swim test in a 25 yard pool.

During the test, I had to stop, turn, and start up again 31 times. I noticed that it took a while to do this with fins.

At the end, I was surprised by my lengthy time.

When I discussed this with some other people, they mentioned that when they did the test and had to turn that they received a time credit for each turn.

Is this common practice?

If so, are there any suggestions on how to bring this up with my instructor?

Thanks.

SparticleBrane · Mar 24, 2009

Never heard of it. What is considered a "lengthy time"?

divezonescuba · Mar 24, 2009

18:24

Diver0001 · Mar 24, 2009

You could ask him but if it were me I would say no. Time credit for turns isn't in the standards.

R..

300bar · Mar 24, 2009

Nope,no credits for the turn times,you could try to make uderwater(forward rolls)turns.

mikeyjoe · Mar 24, 2009

Not heard of this either. I had the same and I think virtually everybody else does too....

If you think that was tough, wait until the 400m swim w/o mask/snorkel/fins. :eyebrow:

So you got a 2.
You'll get a 5 for the tread - almost everybody does.
You need 12 to pass, so 5 out of the 400m swim and the 100m tired diver tow combined.

Let's say you got a 2 in the 400m, you just need a 3 in the tired diver tow, which is doable - I found it the easiest of the 3 swims.

Hit the pool and get some practise in - you'll do it.......

knotical · Mar 24, 2009

I'm unaware of any PADI position on this. When I did mine, my instructor insisted we not push off from the wall on turns, since "there are no walls in the ocean". It made our times longer, but I passed, and there is nowhere on my card that says whether I passed with flying colors, or just barely passed. (I had points to spare.)

In jest, I lobbied for an altitude adjustment, as the military does on some of their physical fitness tests. My retired military instructor disallowed it.

I permit DM candidates to push off, since reversing direction slows them down, and I figure it balances out. I would not give any time credit, and have never heard of anyone doing so. If a student is unhappy with doing his swim or snorkel in a pool, he is welcome to take me to a larger body of water. I did my tired diver tow in a lake and had to contend with a mild wind-driven current.

My thinking is that if someone is on the cusp of not passing the watermanship tests, they should improve their skills. They aren't all that challenging.

TMHeimer · Mar 24, 2009

I was wondering about the turns myself. Easy if you train as a swimmer. You'd think that you would get a credit for them as it is highly unlikely you will have to hit something and turn in open water while attempting a rescue.

mikeyjoe · Mar 24, 2009

knotical:
My thinking is that if someone is on the cusp of not passing the watermanship tests, they should improve their skills. They aren't all that challenging.

I agree. I am a semi regular runner - 10km 2-3 times/week, so i am reasonably fit.

I found out running fitness does not = great swimming times>>> technique sensitive.

I did manage 15 points, though, without any swimming practise.

Nemrod · Mar 24, 2009

Do a flip turn or an open turn. Don't stop. N

Time credit for turns in the pool

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