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My question would be: In the O/W certification, there is a 10 minute float, how did he get past that one?
D/M is only another 5 with the hands out of the water the last two.
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Well. I took my OW cert in 2005. I had a very hard time with that also. I remember touching the side several times. Either the instructor didn’t see me or he was turning a blind eye.
I am sure I will make it through. However, being neg. boyant makes it very tough and tiring. The last two minutes is going to be the most difficult for me.
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Ah, the gift of a challenge life hands us from time to time. As an active duty Marine I concur with Greg’s recommendation. I would also add that since being negative is partially attributed to muscle density, I would look to trim that and and increase cardiovascular stamina to the highest level possible prior to the test. Most instructors will work with you on the timing of this. I don’t know how old this person is but for what it’s worth I did it at 43 and I’ve been blown up, a lot. You can do this.
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ScubaGrunt,
Thanks for the encouragement. I am currently 43. I have been working out and lost 25lbs since the first of the year. This is great but also part of the issue for boyancy as I try to get into better shape. I will continue with the cardio right up until test day. I think I will do OK but I always strive to be great!!
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Very few people are in reality negatively buoyant although some are close enough to it to be a problem.
When I was a young college student who was slim and athletic with less than 7% body fat I was one of those few who became neutral 3’ bellow the surface. Even at that state treading water isn’t particularly difficult if you stay calm and realize that it take very little effort to keep your head out of the water. You only need to float your head to breath! If you work any harder than needed to float your head you are wasting energy and may over exert yourself. Stay calm and minimize your effort. This will allow you to maintain a pace for a much greater duration.
A few year after college I had put on a few pounds, although I was still in great shape. I finally learned to do a dead mans float on my back. This is the most effective because it forces you to expand you chest cavity and give you lungs some extra capacity. On your back with your arms on the surface straight out to the sides, arch you back so your legs are 15 degrees or more pointed downward. Fill your chest and then breath shallow never releasing more than half your lung capacity. It may help to close your eyes the objective is only to keep your mouth and nose on the surface.
Here we are years later I’m not in great shape anymore but took my DMC 3 years ago and was able to float like described above with a 5 lbs weight on my chest (with some minimal kicking)
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RAWalker,
Thanks for the info. I was in the pool last week and when I took a deep breath... I sank under the water. However, I did not try to see if I would go to the bottom. I then put on a 3mm core warmer. I exhaled and again my head went under water. When I held my breath I was able to keep my head above the water.
I will be going back to the pool again tomorrow. I am going to try different ways of floating including head down "drown proof" and floating on my back.
Again, thanks for the info on floating. I will def give it a try.
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I guess I’m confused by this problem, as treading water is a factor of fitness.
I used to sink like a brick to the bottom of the pool as a kid. In fact, I flunked Sr Life Saving Class three times only because I couldn’t float on my back without kicking or moving your arms - as required. I could however hold my breath until my feet landed firmly on the bottom of the 10 foot deep pool. "Arch your back" they’d tell me (which has zero impact when you’re that fit).
Regardless on being able to float, the test in today’s question is Treading Water. Your buoyancy will effect the energy that you have to put out, but that’s not a reason to fail this. So if you can’t tread water for 15 minutes (or however long the test is), then it’s time to start working out. In my opinion, any Dive Master (or Rescue Diver) should not only be able tread water but also be tested in swimming a given distance with their head high out of the water. You can’t help a person in need if you can’t find them so this is a vital skill.
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Green_Archers,
I totally agree with you about being fit to be a DM or Rescue Diver. I do work out every day. I have just about completed 8 weeks of the "Insanity" workout and feel great. I also am a member of the local gym where I work out.
That being said, even as a kid I was never able to tread water very well. I was never taught how or technique. When I tread water I move so fast with my legs and hands it tires me out quickly. I think a person can be physically fit and still tire while trying to tread water or swim for great distances.
This was the reason for the original post. As a DMC, I am looking for guidance on floating, treading water etc. I have the other skills and fitness handled with no issues.
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Im wondering why you keep talking about sinking to the bottom?
1. This is a float/ tread and since you cant float you need to be treading. This is tiring i understand but this is not supposed to be an easy skill. I dont float very well so treading is how I got through it.
2. This skill is to be done in a swim suit only so practicing in anything that will help give you buoyancy is not helping you prepare for the skill, and anyone that allows you to use anything other than a swim suit is more concerned about you passing than giving you the challenge that comes with being a prepared divemaster.
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Kcdiver,
I understand since I can’t float (well) I need to tread. I was looking for pointers and or skills I can use to aid in the practice of treading water during the test.
I have read the skill requirements and procedures. I also understand a swimsuit only is allowed for the test. I posed the question because in the OW test students are allowed to use wet suits. However, if one is used, they would be required to also use weight so they would be neutrally boyant. I was wondering if the same guidelines were used for the DMC test. I now know this is not the case.
I am not using any aids to prepare for the skill(s) during the DMC tests. My instructors would not allow any deviation of PADI requirements.
I will be practicing on and off for the next 10 days in the shop pool. I am sure I will pass the tests once I get the skills down better. The last time I was in the pool practicing at about the 10 minute mark it was getting quite tough to continue with the tread. If I can compensate with a float or better treading skills I am sure I will do fine.
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After I posted yesterday, I had to laugh at my ’fitness’ comment. I realize the only reason you float like a brick is because you’re super fit. Mussel and bones sink.
I believe the ’skill’ you’re looking for is - slow and long stokes with your arms. For your legs, I alter between a breaststroke kick.
With all water activities, being slow and efficient is the secret. I learned how valuable that is when trying to swim long distances underwater. Someone told me if I stop trying to do it as fast as possible I would go a lot further. That advise changed my distance from around 40 meters to double that, plus more than doubled my down time. Put yourself in slow motion and save your energy.
You can do this! 10 days to go.
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Typo correction:
For your legs, I alter between a breaststroke kick, and bicycle kick. Flutter kick with fins.
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Green_Archers
Thanks for the info on floating. The exact issue I have is trying to slow down my arms and legs while treading water which tires me out faster.
I was in the pool today. However, I didn’t get a chance to practice as I was observing an instructor who was doing a OW review with a student. I will keep you posted.
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There is a technique called "drown Proofing" one link here http://www.drownproofing.com/.
It was explained to me by someone who took the course many years ago with the originator.
I have read but not studied or practiced
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I realize that I may be late in commenting but I have helped a few people learn to tread who believed they couldn’t float or tread. The real help will be in working your lung capacity. While there are some who’s lung capacity is below norm, most people don’t realize they are not using their total lung capacity. I usually start with getting daily practice of doing the 3 deep breaths and holding while floating (or sinking to shallow end) for as long as possible. (practice the slow exhale so you don’t screw that up with bad habits) Try to relax, close your eyes and think of something else while someone else times you.
Then work on deep DEEP breathing all the time to expand your lungs and diaphragm abilities.
When you tread, half float and half tread. Hold your breath for 30 secs while slowly moving arms forward and back with palms down and providing lift like you did as a kid and put your hand out the window. Legs in long tip toe’d straight leg strides (like you have fins on). Have your arms and legs providing lift in an offset pattern where each is providing max lift when the other is a min lift.
The drown proofing is something I learned back in the 80’s and is great. Understanding the physics of your body and that you are mostly water which is neutral in water makes relaxing easier and relaxing is the big difference in floating and not floating. (my experience)
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