Question about CW swim test (PADI)

I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually all of
the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the folder
for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.

As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I opt
for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?
Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?

Thanks.

Sheldon

Sheldon wrote

> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I opt
> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?

It's a skills test. Either one works as well. You know you can do both, so
have nothing to prove to yourself or anyone else. If everyone opts for the
snorkel and fins, go with the flow. If people choose each, do whichever you
want, or both if you prefer.

Lee

Makes no difference. As long as your Visa is good you'll pass the swim
tests.

Brian
Edmonton, Alberta

On Apr 5, 8:10 pm, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
> I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually all of
> the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the folder
> for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.
>
> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I opt
> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?
> Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Sheldon

<scuba.edmonton@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1175843942.110286.16300@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
> Makes no difference. As long as your Visa is good you'll pass the swim
> tests.

I think he's a citizen so he doesn't need a visa

Still LOL

On Apr 5, 8:10 pm, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
> I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually all of
> the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the folder
> for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.
>
> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I opt
> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?
> Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Sheldon


Your instructor may not offer you a choice. I don't. If you were my
student, I'd ask you for a written request to do the snorkel swim. A
five pager, with detailed explanation. If there is some physical
reason why you cannot complete the swim, I may let you do the snorkel,
but at that point you would need to swear to me, to yourself, and to
any deity you worship that you will never, ever, ever become one of
those divers who rids himself of his snorkel first chance he gets. If
you can't swim without your snorkel, you can't BE without your
snorkel. Period.

kari

"Kari" <karibelle2001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176179826.290303.303610@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
> On Apr 5, 8:10 pm, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
>> I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually all
>> of
>> the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the
>> folder
>> for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.
>>
>> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
>> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
>> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I
>> opt
>> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?
>> Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Sheldon
>
>
> Your instructor may not offer you a choice. I don't. If you were my
> student, I'd ask you for a written request to do the snorkel swim. A
> five pager, with detailed explanation. If there is some physical
> reason why you cannot complete the swim, I may let you do the snorkel,
> but at that point you would need to swear to me, to yourself, and to
> any deity you worship that you will never, ever, ever become one of
> those divers who rids himself of his snorkel first chance he gets. If
> you can't swim without your snorkel, you can't BE without your
> snorkel. Period.
>
> kari
>

Good point, but I'm merely thinking more in terms of a time factor. I can
ditch the snorkel and still cover a lot more distance faster with fins than
without. If I was an instructor I'd probably throw everybody in the deep
end of the pool and see what happens. In about two minutes you'd know
pretty quick what's what and who is more comfortable in the water.

On Apr 10, 9:18 am, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
> "Kari" <karibelle2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1176179826.290303.303610@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Apr 5, 8:10 pm, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
> >> I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually all
> >> of
> >> the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the
> >> folder
> >> for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.
>
> >> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or 300
> >> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I can
> >> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I
> >> opt
> >> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side stroke?
> >> Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?
>
> >> Thanks.
>
> >> Sheldon
>
> > Your instructor may not offer you a choice. I don't. If you were my
> > student, I'd ask you for a written request to do the snorkel swim. A
> > five pager, with detailed explanation. If there is some physical
> > reason why you cannot complete the swim, I may let you do the snorkel,
> > but at that point you would need to swear to me, to yourself, and to
> > any deity you worship that you will never, ever, ever become one of
> > those divers who rids himself of his snorkel first chance he gets. If
> > you can't swim without your snorkel, you can't BE without your
> > snorkel. Period.
>
> > kari
>
> Good point, but I'm merely thinking more in terms of a time factor. I can
> ditch the snorkel and still cover a lot more distance faster with fins than
> without. If I was an instructor I'd probably throw everybody in the deep
> end of the pool and see what happens. In about two minutes you'd know
> pretty quick what's what and who is more comfortable in the water.



As there is no time limit, what is the time factor? The swim portion
will end when the last person is finished...

kari

I'm not an instructor, but if I were, I would require both swims. First the
200 yards, then a five minute rest, then the 300 yards swim/snorkel. You
shouldn't be thinking about diving if you can't swim a little over a quarter
mile with a break and no time limit.

"Kari" <karibelle2001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176226718.557341.120420@y5g2000hsa.googlegro ups.com...
> On Apr 10, 9:18 am, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
>> "Kari" <karibelle2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1176179826.290303.303610@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Apr 5, 8:10 pm, "Sheldon" <shel...@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
>> >> I just received a PADI kit that I sent for, and it contains virtually
>> >> all
>> >> of
>> >> the test required for both CW and OW testing. It even includes the
>> >> folder
>> >> for the instructor's records with check boxes for each skill.
>>
>> >> As for the swim test, it looks like I have a choice -- 200 yards, or
>> >> 300
>> >> yards with snorkel and fins. I know now that I can do either, but I
>> >> can
>> >> cover a lot more water a lot faster with a snorkel and fins. Should I
>> >> opt
>> >> for the fastest, easier method, or go with my snail's pace side
>> >> stroke?
>> >> Some of you are instructors. Would it make any difference?
>>
>> >> Thanks.
>>
>> >> Sheldon
>>
>> > Your instructor may not offer you a choice. I don't. If you were my
>> > student, I'd ask you for a written request to do the snorkel swim. A
>> > five pager, with detailed explanation. If there is some physical
>> > reason why you cannot complete the swim, I may let you do the snorkel,
>> > but at that point you would need to swear to me, to yourself, and to
>> > any deity you worship that you will never, ever, ever become one of
>> > those divers who rids himself of his snorkel first chance he gets. If
>> > you can't swim without your snorkel, you can't BE without your
>> > snorkel. Period.
>>
>> > kari
>>
>> Good point, but I'm merely thinking more in terms of a time factor. I
>> can
>> ditch the snorkel and still cover a lot more distance faster with fins
>> than
>> without. If I was an instructor I'd probably throw everybody in the deep
>> end of the pool and see what happens. In about two minutes you'd know
>> pretty quick what's what and who is more comfortable in the water.
>
>
>
> As there is no time limit, what is the time factor? The swim portion
> will end when the last person is finished...
>
> kari
>

"KV" <kvaughn3@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:lwUSh.1165$Z66.341@trnddc06...

> I'm not an instructor, but if I were, I would require both swims. First
> the 200 yards, then a five minute rest, then the 300 yards swim/snorkel.
> You shouldn't be thinking about diving if you can't swim a little over a
> quarter mile with a break and no time limit.

I'd require underwater bicycle riding.

It's about as necessary to diving as swimming is, and just because you can
swim, doesn't mean you can dive.