You ask some great questions and for the benefit of the ScubaBoard forum member, I will explain in just a little more detail.
The IADRS Watermanship Test was the result of a research project funded by the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists and Dive Rescue International on diver stress.
The research was presented to the NFPA committee and became part of the 1006 standard. With assistance from the University of Akron, the test was designed to evaluate fitness with the minimum passing score being "13 MET," the same minimum fitness level established by the NFPA for structural firefighters. Certainly, the NFPA, DRI and the IADRS support persons exceeding the 'minimum.'
Because the IADRS Watermanship Test applies to ALL water rescuer personnel, including swift water and surf rescue personnel, the phrase "proper PPE" was inserted since the NFPA committee did not want non-divers to wear SCUBA gear during the test. The Personal Protective Equipment worn should be appropriate to the job function of the person being tested. If the subject is a diver, then exposure protection, SCUBA unit, etc is appropriate. If they are beach lifeguard, a swim suit and possibly a rash guard woud be appropriate. For the swift water rescuers, a swift water dry suit and PFD would be the standard. For the dive tender, a PFD, possibly a jumpsuit and sun screen <teasing> may be standard PPE. With this knowledge in mind, I believe you can follow the NFPA committee's logic.
The "free dive for an object" is an "all or nothing" scenario and is either a "pass" or "fail." Everyone of the NFPA committee was in agreement that if a team member could not free dive and retrieve an object from the bottom of a 9' deep pool, then they should consider how safe it is for them to operate in an aquatic environment.
I hope this helps!
Blades Robinson
Executive Director
THE IADRS WATERMANSHIP TEST IS AVAILABLE AT:
http://www.iadrs.org/media/IADRS_Watermanship_Test.pdf
