Unless PADI has changed, here are the standards:
Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre Swim
The candidate must swim 400 metres without stopping using no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes desired. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 6 min, 30 sec
4 = 6 min, 30 sec to 8 min, 40 sec
3 = 8 min, 40 seconds to 11 min
2 = 11 to 13 min
1 = more than 13 min
0 = stopped/incomplete
Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2 minutes. A candidate with a physical challenge that makes it difficult/impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.
Criteria Points
5 = Performed satisfactorily 5
3 = Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
1 = Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
0 = Used side/bottom for support more than twice
Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre Snorkel Swim
Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim nonstop for 800 metres. The candidate may not use arms to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg use and arm-swimming is the individual's normal swimming method while diving. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 14 min
4 = 14 to 16 min
3 = 16 min, 30 sec to 18 min, 30 sec
2 = 18 min, 30 sec to 21 min
1 = more than 21 min
0 = incomplete/stopped
Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres Inert Diver Tow
Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 metres nonstop without assistance. Note that this is a swimming power evaluation (speed-against-drag) not a rescue evaluation. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 2 min, 10 sec
4 = 2 min,10 sec to 3 min, 15 sec
3 = 3 min, 15 sec to 4 min. 20 sec
2 = 4 min. 20 sec to 5 min, 30 sec
1 = more than 5 min, 30 sec
0 = stopped incomplete
OK, combined passing score is a 12 or more, out of a possible 20. 12 points / 4 exercises = 3 points per exercise.
So, take the 400M swim. 400M/50m (lap) = 8 laps. To get a "3" you have to do it in 11 min or less. That's roughly 40 sec a length, or 80 seconds a lap. For a "5," that's roughly 25 seconds a length, or 50 seconds a lap.
Quite honestly, if you can't crawl swim 8 laps in 11 min or less, you should probably consider better physical training before testing DM. I swim 32 laps each morning as my daily workout, with the first 4/4 slow/med, followed by 4/4 fast/med, 4/4 fast/med, 4/4 med/slow. I'm at 35-40 min for this routine, depending how chipper i feel, lol. At 40 min time, thats 37/75 sec length/lap, or for 35 min time, 32/65. So, for an 8 lap swim, I would be between 8 min 40 sec and 10 min, at least a 3, maybe a 4. I'm sure at 8 laps, I could score the 4 without difficulty.
Anyway, the more you swim the better you get. When I started, 8 laps was killing me. Now, it's easy. Just keep at it.
Good luck!
Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre Swim
The candidate must swim 400 metres without stopping using no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes desired. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 6 min, 30 sec
4 = 6 min, 30 sec to 8 min, 40 sec
3 = 8 min, 40 seconds to 11 min
2 = 11 to 13 min
1 = more than 13 min
0 = stopped/incomplete
Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15 minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2 minutes. A candidate with a physical challenge that makes it difficult/impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.
Criteria Points
5 = Performed satisfactorily 5
3 = Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
1 = Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
0 = Used side/bottom for support more than twice
Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre Snorkel Swim
Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must swim nonstop for 800 metres. The candidate may not use arms to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg use and arm-swimming is the individual's normal swimming method while diving. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 14 min
4 = 14 to 16 min
3 = 16 min, 30 sec to 18 min, 30 sec
2 = 18 min, 30 sec to 21 min
1 = more than 21 min
0 = incomplete/stopped
Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres Inert Diver Tow
Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 metres nonstop without assistance. Note that this is a swimming power evaluation (speed-against-drag) not a rescue evaluation. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
Time Points
5 = under 2 min, 10 sec
4 = 2 min,10 sec to 3 min, 15 sec
3 = 3 min, 15 sec to 4 min. 20 sec
2 = 4 min. 20 sec to 5 min, 30 sec
1 = more than 5 min, 30 sec
0 = stopped incomplete
OK, combined passing score is a 12 or more, out of a possible 20. 12 points / 4 exercises = 3 points per exercise.
So, take the 400M swim. 400M/50m (lap) = 8 laps. To get a "3" you have to do it in 11 min or less. That's roughly 40 sec a length, or 80 seconds a lap. For a "5," that's roughly 25 seconds a length, or 50 seconds a lap.
Quite honestly, if you can't crawl swim 8 laps in 11 min or less, you should probably consider better physical training before testing DM. I swim 32 laps each morning as my daily workout, with the first 4/4 slow/med, followed by 4/4 fast/med, 4/4 fast/med, 4/4 med/slow. I'm at 35-40 min for this routine, depending how chipper i feel, lol. At 40 min time, thats 37/75 sec length/lap, or for 35 min time, 32/65. So, for an 8 lap swim, I would be between 8 min 40 sec and 10 min, at least a 3, maybe a 4. I'm sure at 8 laps, I could score the 4 without difficulty.
Anyway, the more you swim the better you get. When I started, 8 laps was killing me. Now, it's easy. Just keep at it.
Good luck!
