Padi Skill Interpretation

Something came up between two instructors from different shops and I
wonder if anyone cares to add their opinion.

Padi 15m No Mask Swim from pool dive 4.

All the standard says is that the student must swim 15m without a mask,
students may take turns being the 'no masker' and the guide.


One instructor makes his students swim along unaided for 15m with mask
in hand, then pokes them to put the mask on after they have done the
distance.
The other makes them put the mask on the floor, leads them round for 15m
whilst they 'feel' for it, then takes them back to it and they put it on.

I lean towards "B" because:
1) The students really have 'no mask'! (More realistic, and no crutch to
hold)
2) Have to pick it up, right it and put it on.


I know its not the most important Q in the world, but it would be
interesting to know how others interpret this.

"Doh" <doh@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5j0jmfF3qbfsiU1@mid.individual.net...
> Something came up between two instructors from different shops and I
> wonder if anyone cares to add their opinion.
>
> Padi 15m No Mask Swim from pool dive 4.
>
> All the standard says is that the student must swim 15m without a mask,
> students may take turns being the 'no masker' and the guide.
>
>
> One instructor makes his students swim along unaided for 15m with mask in
> hand, then pokes them to put the mask on after they have done the
> distance.
> The other makes them put the mask on the floor, leads them round for 15m
> whilst they 'feel' for it, then takes them back to it and they put it on.
>
> I lean towards "B" because:
> 1) The students really have 'no mask'! (More realistic, and no crutch to
> hold)
> 2) Have to pick it up, right it and put it on.
>
>
> I know its not the most important Q in the world, but it would be
> interesting to know how others interpret this.



It's self explanatory.

The rule doesn't say anything about groping around for the mask, it says
to swim without one.

Period.

The difference is between the quality of instruction.

I vote with you on which is better, but that does not reflect on what is
required.

Doh wrote:
> Something came up between two instructors from different shops and I
> wonder if anyone cares to add their opinion.
>
> Padi 15m No Mask Swim from pool dive 4.
>
> All the standard says is that the student must swim 15m without a mask,
> students may take turns being the 'no masker' and the guide.
>
>
> One instructor makes his students swim along unaided for 15m with mask
> in hand, then pokes them to put the mask on after they have done the
> distance.
> The other makes them put the mask on the floor, leads them round for 15m
> whilst they 'feel' for it, then takes them back to it and they put it on.
>
> I lean towards "B" because:
> 1) The students really have 'no mask'! (More realistic, and no crutch to
> hold)
> 2) Have to pick it up, right it and put it on.
>
>
> I know its not the most important Q in the world, but it would be
> interesting to know how others interpret this.

Directly from the Instructor Manual

"Performance Requirements...

1. Swim underwater without a mask for a distance of not less than 15
metres/50 feet, and replace and clear the mask underwater...

Recommended Training Sequence:
(with suggested techniques for accomplishing performance requirements)...

8. No-mask swim (for not less than 15 metres/50 feet)
— Have students descend and remove masks. Allow students to become
reaccustomed to no-mask breathing while in a stationary position. Once
they become comfortable, have students swim underwater without their
masks. Encourage students to open their eyes. (Provide proper warning
for contact lens wearers to keep their eyes closed.) Buddies may take
turns being guide (with mask) and guided (without mask)."

PADI are quite relaxed about how individual instructors conduct a skill
as long as it is up to the standard that is deemed "mastery" and is not
in violation of basic course standards. This allows instructors to
tailor courses to suit the training environment available and the
nuances of individual students. More nervous students who complete the
skill but feel the need to keep hold of their mask will still pass the
skill, it is then to the descretion of the instructor whether to spend
the extra time to build the student's confidence with some extra practice.

"Doh" <doh@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5j0jmfF3qbfsiU1@mid.individual.net...
> Something came up between two instructors from different shops and I
> wonder if anyone cares to add their opinion.
>
> Padi 15m No Mask Swim from pool dive 4.
>
> All the standard says is that the student must swim 15m without a mask,
> students may take turns being the 'no masker' and the guide.
>
>
> One instructor makes his students swim along unaided for 15m with mask in
> hand, then pokes them to put the mask on after they have done the
> distance.
> The other makes them put the mask on the floor, leads them round for 15m
> whilst they 'feel' for it, then takes them back to it and they put it on.
>
> I lean towards "B" because:
> 1) The students really have 'no mask'! (More realistic, and no crutch to
> hold)
> 2) Have to pick it up, right it and put it on.
>
>
> I know its not the most important Q in the world, but it would be
> interesting to know how others interpret this.

I took the pool test with two different instructors at two different times.
Both had us put the mask down and swim the required distance and then come
back and retrieve the mask and put it on underwater and clear it.

My first instructor would not let me wear my contacts so swimming underwater
with my eyes open was no problem, just not clear which would be the case
even if I had 20/20 vision. The second instructor let me wear my contacts
and guided me along the pool as I kept my eyes closed.

I think the reason for this exercise is twofold: In an emergency you may
have to find your way around without a mask. In an emergency I would open
my eyes and let the contacts fall where they may. The other reason is that
some people have trouble breathing through their mouths only without a mask
on. Obviously not a good idea to breath through your nose underwater.