Exercise and PSD Practice Drills

[will.b]

Does anyone know of a good exercise regimen to assign to a developing PSD team? We have 7 divers and 6 tenders who are in various stages of training for PSD.

I would like to make a physical agility requirement that we could mandate with an exercise program. Currently our only workout is a 500 yard free swim warm up prior to all training and dive days.

Thanks,
Will

 

[BladesRobinson]

Many Public Safety Diving Training Agencies recommend the watermanship test that has been authored by the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (IADRS.org) and endorsed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA.org) for public safety diving. The watermanship test is available at "no charge" via the IADRS website. To download a copy, please visit:
http://iadrs.org/media/IADRS_Watermanship_Test.pdf

You may also consider purchasing a book written by U.S. Navy SEAL Stew Smith. This is the PSD-IADRS Workout co-authored by John Carney (recipient of the 2011 Robert G Teather Award). To purchase a copy, please visit:
Public Safety Diver Workout

Best of luck to you and your teammates! If you find the material provided by the IADRS to be helpful or beneficial to your team, please consider supporting the organization by becoming a member. Membership information can be found online at: International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists - IADRS

 

[Mitchell]

Kinda looks like the PADI DM swim test

 

[BladesRobinson]

Kinda looks like the PADI DM swim test

Mitchell is correct in his observation but I add emphasis to "Kinda looks like..." The reason for the difference is because the IADRS Watermanship Test was designed to test candidates to a fitness level of 13 METS. This is the MINIMUM fitness level recommended by the NFPA and many law enforcement training academies. There was a lot of research to tweak the Watermanship Test to determine the 13 MET level of fitness. The research and science behind the IADRS Watermanship Test was submitted to the NFPA and it was approved and added to NFPA 1006 and NFPA 1670 standards, both of which address water rescue and public safety diving.

In addition to testing "fitness" the IADRS Watermanship Test also tests a person's comfort level in the water since all of the activities are "water based" as opposed to taking place on a treadmill.