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  1. #76
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Earl View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by RickThai View Post
    Finished my Open Water Cert a few days ago. The 200 meter swim was a joke.
    Yep the 200 meter swim you should be able to knock off in 5 minutes. Not much of a workout imho.

    Just for reference the PADI dive master certificate requires you to swim 400 meters free style without stopping and 800 meters with mask, snorkel, fins within 16 minutes.

    My personal health benchmark is to be able to freestyle 800 meters inside of 30 minutes.
    If you can do that you're reasonably fit.
    Good for you. I have never been a regualar or distance swimmer, but I started swimming in preparation for the OWD course. I found that I like swimming laps and I agree that it is an excellent way to workout (especially for older people). I plan on continuing with swimming laps.

    Regards,

    RickThai

  2. #77
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    25-04-2013 @ 09:27 AM
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    The 200 meter swim (and ten minute float/tread) is mandatory and should be done. Some instructors may “let you away with it” but to be honest if your instructor does than whether or not you can do it should be the least of your worries.

    Not to be a party pooper but learning how to scuba dive should be taken seriously as although scuba diving itself is not that difficult, if you do not know what you are doing it can be potentially fatal.

    The swimming and floating exercise is a stamina test to make sure that should you fall off the boat or if the boat capsized or something else of that nature that you will not instantly drown. Statistically most scuba diving accidents actually happen in the water on the surface.

    My advice would be to make sure through a little practice that you are able to cover the required distance before you start the course giving yourself some peace of mind.

    Be aware that scuba diving is addictive and most likely you will be hooked, best to get it right from the start.

    Domnall

  3. #78
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    Quote Originally Posted by Domnall View Post
    The 200 meter swim (and ten minute float/tread) is mandatory and should be done. Some instructors may “let you away with it” but to be honest if your instructor does than whether or not you can do it should be the least of your worries.

    Not to be a party pooper but learning how to scuba dive should be taken seriously as although scuba diving itself is not that difficult, if you do not know what you are doing it can be potentially fatal.

    The swimming and floating exercise is a stamina test to make sure that should you fall off the boat or if the boat capsized or something else of that nature that you will not instantly drown. Statistically most scuba diving accidents actually happen in the water on the surface.

    My advice would be to make sure through a little practice that you are able to cover the required distance before you start the course giving yourself some peace of mind.

    Be aware that scuba diving is addictive and most likely you will be hooked, best to get it right from the start.

    Domnall
    You make some good points. Welcome to the forum.

    RickThai

  4. #79
    Thailand Expat

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    23-10-2014 @ 05:31 PM
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    Rick don't sweat about it mate. talk to your instructor during the academics bit and just explain your concerns. what tends to happen is they ask you to swim twice around the dive boat before open water dive 1. Stopping for a rest after the first time round will not be noticed. If you are wearing a shorty wetsuit that will give you some added buoyancy as well. Breaststroke or backstroke are by far the easiest strokes. Enjoy !
    Treat everyone as a complete and utter idiot and you can only ever be pleasantly surprised !

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