There have been a few threads lately about how fit a diver has to be to do Rescue. I'm semi in shape. I bit the bullet two months ago and signed up for Rescue, which took place the weekend just past. Saturday was 4 hours in the classroom. Yesterday was a full day 8-5 at the quarry. No pool work at all. Everything at the quarry.
My instructors pride themselves on a tough class, and boy, was it physically tough. I knew that going in. My workouts consisted of a mile of laps in the pool twice a week. I recently dropped that to do the recumbent bike, but that bothered my knees and sciatica so back to the pool I went. I also had several weeks of no workouts at all due to resting one knee that was bothering me.
My endurance was OK. I was definitely beat. It would have been easier if my endurance was better.
I was semi-concerned how my knees would hold up. They actually didn't hurt during the class, even when doing the backpack carry - I did it with a guy taller and heavier than I am. The chair carry was interesting. The backpack carry was actually much easier for me, which was a big surprise.
It's my sciatica that was really screaming during the day. Some Motrin and stretches during the day helped. I'd prepared my knees and sciatica for the day with Motrin and Icy Hot with Lidocaine (that stuff is magic).
All the laps really helped when I had to jump into 50ft deep water with just mask and fins (in a new, very buoyant 3mm) to do a swimming rescue. I'm not a strong swimmer, but give me a pair of fins and I turn into a speed demon! I had no clue how buoyant even a new 3mm would be! I only broke it out because I'd have roasted in my 5mm. We didn't go deeper than 20ft or so. Water temp was 78F at that depth.
Swimming someone in about 150ft to shore after bringing them up from 20ft down, while ditching their gear and yours was definitely tiring!
We did the class in very unseasonable, more than 90F degree heat and blazing sun. We were very, very well hydrated.
I spent today hobbling around the office. Left knee is definitely not happy. I never work out the day before or the day after diving as I've found it works best for me. I'll be in the pool tomorrow and Thursday and probably Wednesday. I'll be diving both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend.
This was a good time for me to take Rescue. I was originally going to take it next season, but changed my mind. I ended up taking it with 3 friends/dive buddies, which made a very intense day actually very fun!
Very challenging class, but a big confidence builder, too!
I'll be hitting the pool more than twice a week this off season, as well as a lot more weight training.
My instructors pride themselves on a tough class, and boy, was it physically tough. I knew that going in. My workouts consisted of a mile of laps in the pool twice a week. I recently dropped that to do the recumbent bike, but that bothered my knees and sciatica so back to the pool I went. I also had several weeks of no workouts at all due to resting one knee that was bothering me.
My endurance was OK. I was definitely beat. It would have been easier if my endurance was better.
I was semi-concerned how my knees would hold up. They actually didn't hurt during the class, even when doing the backpack carry - I did it with a guy taller and heavier than I am. The chair carry was interesting. The backpack carry was actually much easier for me, which was a big surprise.
It's my sciatica that was really screaming during the day. Some Motrin and stretches during the day helped. I'd prepared my knees and sciatica for the day with Motrin and Icy Hot with Lidocaine (that stuff is magic).
All the laps really helped when I had to jump into 50ft deep water with just mask and fins (in a new, very buoyant 3mm) to do a swimming rescue. I'm not a strong swimmer, but give me a pair of fins and I turn into a speed demon! I had no clue how buoyant even a new 3mm would be! I only broke it out because I'd have roasted in my 5mm. We didn't go deeper than 20ft or so. Water temp was 78F at that depth.
Swimming someone in about 150ft to shore after bringing them up from 20ft down, while ditching their gear and yours was definitely tiring!
We did the class in very unseasonable, more than 90F degree heat and blazing sun. We were very, very well hydrated.
I spent today hobbling around the office. Left knee is definitely not happy. I never work out the day before or the day after diving as I've found it works best for me. I'll be in the pool tomorrow and Thursday and probably Wednesday. I'll be diving both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend.
This was a good time for me to take Rescue. I was originally going to take it next season, but changed my mind. I ended up taking it with 3 friends/dive buddies, which made a very intense day actually very fun!
Very challenging class, but a big confidence builder, too!I'll be hitting the pool more than twice a week this off season, as well as a lot more weight training.
