Learning To Swim To Scuba Dive
We are all about swimming here no matter your goal. Did you know that Coach Craig (the person writing this post) is a Padi Divemaster? I have assisted in countless Padi Open Water Diver Certification classes. There is one thing that always shocks him that really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone considering becoming a scuba diver. What is that one thing you ask? You need to know how to swim!
It should be no surprise that if you are going to learn how to scuba dive, then you will need know how to swim. All scuba organizations require students to take a swim test. The swim test is not judging your stroke or even if you are a good or solid swimmer. The purpose of the test is showing the instructors and the dive organization that you know how to swim and can at least get back to the boat or shore you jumped in from!
The Swim Test
Most of the scuba organizations (Padi, NAUI, SSI, SDI) have similar swim skill requirements that you must pass in order to become a certified open water diver, which is the entry level diving certification. You must successfully complete:
A 10 minute tread or float. You can use whatever style you like but you cannot take a break or have assistance by holding on to something.
Swim 200 yards/meters non-stop.
On paper this doesn’t sound difficult, but if you have minimal to no swim background I can assure you that 200 yards and a 10 minute tread is no joke. As a divemaster who has assisted in many courses, I have seen several students either not pass the certification course or have to come back at a later date to finish it because they can’t finish the swim. The swim and the tread do not have to be pretty, you just need to survive and finish! If you are thinking about becoming a scuba diver, I would think you would want to do more than survive the swim test because those skills could save your life one day.
What Can You Do To Prepare?
You don’t need to be the next Michael Phelps or Katie Ledecky in order to pass the test but you will need to do some training. My best advice as a swim coach and a divemaster is that when you start thinking about getting scuba certified or once you sign up for the class, start training as soon as possible!
You may have no clue what do to but a great first step is just go to the pool and start getting very comfortable in the water. Bring your mask or goggles and start easy. Try to swim a few lengths taking breaks at each end. After a few sessions, as that becomes easier, then you will want to try to swim two lengths in a row without stopping and then taking a break. You can mix it up by wearing fins and taking the fins off. This will not only help you pass your test but it will make you more physically fit. This means you won’t be an air hog when you start diving! This will make your dives last longer because you won’t run out of air and you will be in great shape so you will really enjoy the activity.
Don’t forget about the water tread. Training is the same idea as above. Start slow and work your way up. As part of your swim training, either before or after you do your laps, head to the deep end and start by trying to tread water for 30 seconds or one minute non-stop. Start close to the wall or lane line so you can grab on if you really need to take a break. Try doing this a few times with rest in between. As 30 seconds or 1 minute treads become easier, then start adding more time to it. Once you are doing 6 to 7 minute treads with ease, then you are ready to rock your test!
Ask For Help!
Scuba diving is a really fun activity and passing a swim test shouldn’t scare you away! If you are really nervous and aren’t sure where to start, ask the scuba shop where you signed up for your class for some help. They may have resources available to make you feel that much more comfortable with training and the class you will be taking. If they aren’t helpful, search for a local swim instructor and take a lesson or two to get you going. This will put you well on your way to an incredibly fun and exciting new hobby!
We hope you found this helpful as you explore new and fun ways to enjoy the water! If you have any questions or need some direction, please reach out to us any time. We are here to help and we want you to pass your course with ease and have a great experience with scuba diving!