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  1. #1
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    200 Meter Swim - How Strict?

    I'm set up to take an Open Water Diving Certificate course with Big Blue Diving on Koh Tao.

    Although, I've always been comfortable in the water, I'm a little bit leery of the 200m swim test.

    I can swim 50m fairly easy and 100m with effort, but to get up to 200m I have to alternate the freestyle with backstroke laps. Does anyone have any experience with this at Koh Tao.

    I know I need to ask Big Blue, but I don't won't to tip my hand too early.

    Thanks.


    RickThai

  2. #2
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    Kurgen's Avatar
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    I'm not sure if it's the same here but when I had to do the same in Greece about 12 years ago the instructor said to rest by floating on my back until ready to swim on, which I did.

  3. #3
    Excitable Boy
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    It's not a big deal at all- your BCD will be inflated, and you won't be racing against the clock- just do it at your own pace- they WANT you to pass the test so they can sell you dives.

  4. #4
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    Why not cancel the course and learn to swim first?

    You will enjoy your diving more if you're not bobbing about on the surface with a fully inflated BCD and a wet suit full of brown stuff.

  5. #5
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by withnallstoke View Post
    Why not cancel the course and learn to swim first?
    Agreed, swimming lessons first. Don’t become a burden to others in the water (diving) with you.

    No reason for you to become everyone’s anchor.

  6. #6
    Excitable Boy
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    It sounds like he knows how to swim- he's just concerned about the distance.

  7. #7
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    I did backstroke for most of my 200 m pre-PADI swim.

    I recall it was done in the sea ('swim out to that buoy and back').

    They don't give points for style, as long as you can propel yourself there and back in some fashion.

  8. #8
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RickThai View Post
    I can swim 50m fairly easy
    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe View Post
    It sounds like he knows how to swim- he's just concerned about the distance.
    Seriously, 50 meters? Would you want him as a diving buddy?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth
    Don’t become a burden to others in the water (diving) with you.
    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe
    he's just concerned about the distance.
    He's concerned about getting 200m in the water !!

    I wouldn't dive with him.

  10. #10
    Excitable Boy
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    Many good divers I've seen would have trouble swimming 200m without any buoyant gear, frankly- with a wetsuit, tanks, and BCD (even without a BCD) it's much easier.

    I'd rather have a smart dive buddy who keeps his head in an emergency and knows proper procedures than one doesn't possess those qualities but is an excellent swimmer (though of course I would prefer someone who has all skills)- scuba diving isn't really 'swimming'.
    There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
    HST

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe View Post
    It's not a big deal at all- your BCD will be inflated, and you won't be racing against the clock- just do it at your own pace- they WANT you to pass the test so they can sell you dives.

    Uhm. Pretty sure the swim test is without BCD there mate - and pretty sure it is without fins, mask etc. Just basic swim suit and you are off. BUT - there are no style requirements, and no time limit (that I can recall).

    It is pretty much always -swim to the marker and back -or swim around the boat 10 times - so the distance is usually a bit variable.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe
    I'd rather have a smart dive buddy who keeps his head in an emergency and knows proper procedures than one doesn't possess those qualities but is an excellent swimmer
    Keeping calm in the water during an emergency would be much easier if you were confident of your ability in the water.
    Bravado, as opposed to confidence, is more likely to get you into more shit.



    Quote Originally Posted by FailSafe
    Many good divers I've seen would have trouble swimming 200m without any buoyant gear
    I've never met a good diver that can't swim - the further the dive training progresses, the further you have to swim.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by withnallstoke
    Why not cancel the course and learn to swim first? You will enjoy your diving more if you're not bobbing about on the surface with a fully inflated BCD and a wet suit full of brown stuff.


    Excellent point
    Seriously Rick if you can't swim anyway, swimming underwater is very difficult. Especially once the nitrogen narcosis starts kicking in and you start tripping

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by withnallstoke
    I've never met a good diver that can't swim
    Funny that, as I've never met a good climber who couldn't walk

  15. #15
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    I have met a good pilot who couldn't fly.

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    ^Yeah but they're a rare breed mate.

  17. #17
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    There is no time limit so take it easy. Swim and float. Do you know how to do side stroke its economical and helps you recover.

    If you can do 50 - 100m then just go slower and try and get in a rhythm. Don't panic, don't tire yourself out and you should be fine.

    Mark

  18. #18
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    When I was a PADI instructor some years ago, it was just you and your swimsuit - no BCD, mask or fins. 200 meters any way you wanted to do it - no time limit. In a pool, not open ocean.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post
    When I was a PADI instructor some years ago, it was just you and your swimsuit - no BCD, mask or fins. 200 meters any way you wanted to do it - no time limit. In a pool, not open ocean.
    Just checked, here is the current requirements:

    Scuba Certification F.A.Q

    Waterskills: Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic waterskill comfort by having you:
    • swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel). There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.
    • float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.

  20. #20
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    200m is still a relatively short distance to swim. I can't understand what the concern is with a 200 metre swin in the ocean.
    What i read from the OP is that he is unfit and should be doing fitness to build up his cardio. Before even he consider diving.

  21. #21
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    I did my course a long time ago- maybe there was no BCD allowed- I'm sure I had on a wetsuit, mask, and fins.

    You absolutely can be a mediocre swimmer and an excellent diver, though- swimming is certainly an important aspect of diving, but there are other very necessary skills (and a mindset) that are also extremely important- you don't need to be Michael Phelps.
    Last edited by FailSafe; 04-12-2012 at 10:29 AM.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    During one week of training a women on our course was fretting about the 200m. We used to sit at the dive centre after our dives and look across the harbour and try to figure out where 200m was. At the end of the course when we still hadn't been asked to do it, someone asked the instructor. He said "I've been watching you guys for a week and I know you can all do it. It's out to that yacht and back if anyone wants to prove it" No one did.
    Better to think inside the pub, than outside the box?
    I apologize if any offence was caused. unless it was intended.
    You people, you think I know feck nothing; I tell you: I know feck all
    Those who cannot change their mind, cannot change anything.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal View Post
    During one week of training a women on our course was fretting about the 200m. We used to sit at the dive centre after our dives and look across the harbour and try to figure out where 200m was. At the end of the course when we still hadn't been asked to do it, someone asked the instructor. He said "I've been watching you guys for a week and I know you can all do it. It's out to that yacht and back if anyone wants to prove it" No one did.
    Shitty instructor.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by withnallstoke View Post
    Why not cancel the course and learn to swim first?

    You will enjoy your diving more if you're not bobbing about on the surface with a fully inflated BCD and a wet suit full of brown stuff.
    can't green you for that. Solid Advice and funny as hell.
    god One.

  25. #25
    Excitable Boy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal View Post
    During one week of training a women on our course was fretting about the 200m. We used to sit at the dive centre after our dives and look across the harbour and try to figure out where 200m was. At the end of the course when we still hadn't been asked to do it, someone asked the instructor. He said "I've been watching you guys for a week and I know you can all do it. It's out to that yacht and back if anyone wants to prove it" No one did.
    Shitty instructor.
    Absolutely- you need to be able to demonstrate the skills- that guy should lose his certification.

    As far as the OP goes, if he can't manage the 200m swim, he won't pass his test- if he completes it, he obviously doesn't need 'swimming lessons'- I'm not sure why people think he isn't prepared to be a competent diver just because he has concerns- he's going to be tested (it's not as if he will make the decision re: whether to dive on his own- he needs approval) and will have to prove his ability, and if he passes that will be enough as far as PADI is concerned- of course it would be better to have the ability to exceed the requirements, but at least he will have to reach an acceptable standard to get his card- if he fails, THEN it's time for additional training.
    Last edited by FailSafe; 04-12-2012 at 11:43 AM.

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