Swimming requirement

[Mike Boswell]

I can swim, but I am not a strong swimmer, if that makes any sense. My experience at a gym is I can swim only one length 50 yards than I am gassed. Though I do consider myself in average shape. The 200 yard requirement bothers me some. Usually I swim 50 yards, stop for a minute and then can do another 50, and do this half a dozen times. I do hang on the edge at the end of a 50yd. I believe I am breathing properly exhaling under water and inhaling about every other stroke. Using fins I am sure that I could do the 300 yd requirement don't think I need the mask and snorkel. Would you expect that I will have a problem. I may be able to do 50 yd paddle on my back for a little break and then continue to freestyle but I have not really tried this.

Based on what you have experienced, how much of a problem will I have?

Some people seem to feel that "swimming" without fins is somehow different than "scuba diving" with fins. I don't agree. Fins are just an aid, and they don't begin to offset the added drag created by scuba gear. Thus, if a person is a poor swimmer, they are an even worse scuba diver.

A good swimmer is someone that has mastered simple techniques and has developed physical fitness, stamina, lung capacity, and cardiovascular capacity. A poor swimmer is a poor swimmer in every respect.

So many divers today are poor swimmers, and I am disappointed that PADI and other agencies have dropped the bar so low that just about anyone can pass the "swimming" test. Why do I feel this way?

1. Swimming is easy - it just takes a little coaching and practice. There really is no excuse for not being a good swimmer.

2. If you do much diving, you will eventually have to swim a way to get to a dive site, swim against a current, or swim to keep up with a dive buddy or group. If you can't, you will be a danger to yourself and a burden to others.

3. If you want to be a good buddy, you will need good swimming skills. If you "can't swim", you are of no use to me, and I will likely have to risk my life to help you. I would never buddy up with someone who "can't swim".

So PLEASE, do yourself, our sport, and your future dive buddies a big favor and learn to swim.

 

[TMHeimer]

Mike, I agree with you on some points. But I feel that mechanically, it is nothing at all like swimming with fins (whether geared up or not). I agree that all divers should swim reasonably well, but to be a fine swimmer for distance and time takes more than a little practise.

 

[Fatterboy]

I don't float, the only way I can swim is to beat the water into submission. When I certified about 2 years ago, there was a swim with mask/snorkel/fins and a 10 minute treading water. My dive instructor had to stay with me one-on-one during the treading water while the assistant took care of everyone else. If I can scuba, anyone can.

 

[dkktsunami]

I assume that you are swimming freestyle. Find a swimmer that can coach you in the proper technique of breast stroke. This will be much less tiring and easier to develop a rhythm. I can swim indefinitely using breast stroke but even though I have done a lot of swimming freestyle is still high energy output for me..........shorter distance, good speed, but tiring.

 

[SailorC27]

I assume that you are swimming freestyle. Find a swimmer that can coach you in the proper technique of breast stroke. This will be much less tiring and easier to develop a rhythm. I can swim indefinitely using breast stroke but even though I have done a lot of swimming freestyle is still high energy output for me..........shorter distance, good speed, but tiring.

Several other people have mentioned breast stroke over freestyle. I just always thought that freestyle is easier because that is what they taught me when I was a tadpole and in gym class (a few years ago). The woman that will probably be my frequent dive buddy is a very good swimmer. I will have her help me with freestyle and tryout the breast stroke as I have never done it before. (Insert joke here).

 

[knotical]

Also consider the side stroke. Strangely, no mentioned that option yet.

I think swimming is quite important for anyone who will be around water. What if you fall off a moving boat?

 

[dkktsunami]

Also consider the side stroke. Strangely, no mentioned that option yet.

I think swimming is quite important for anyone who will be around water. What if you fall off a moving boat?

Side stroke is just the breast stroke at a really bad angle. It looks so damn silly that drowning might be preferable.

 

[oldogre]

We dive from a RIB, so a 7mm wetsuit stays on all the time. If I fell off it would be impossible to sink. I did not learn to swim until 75, & can only do backstroke & sidestroke but am comfortable in the sea.To reach a divesite off the beach I just fin on my back.

 

[TMHeimer]

Also consider the side stroke. Strangely, no mentioned that option yet.

I think swimming is quite important for anyone who will be around water. What if you fall off a moving boat?

Agreed. But you're not going to be swimming 200-400 yards.

 

[knotical]

Agreed. But you're not going to be swimming 200-400 yards.

Not usually, but you might if no one notices you fall.