3 replies to this topic

[shadragon]

Hi all,

I was asked this weekend by a prospective OW student what the best way to tread water was. I gave her some tips, but wondered about something as a result. I believe the standard for OW students is to tread water for 10 minutes. However, does the PADI Instructor Manual specify salt or fresh water for water treading???

Reason I am asking is I have a heck of a time staying afloat in fresh water like a pool, but in the local salt water I don't have to move and I float. I don't recall a specific reference from my IM exposure during my DM course, but then again I did not look then.

Thanks

[Quero]

Hi all,

I was asked this weekend by a prospective OW student what the best way to tread water was. I gave her some tips, but wondered about something as a result. I believe the standard for OW students is to tread water for 10 minutes. However, does the PADI Instructor Manual specify salt or fresh water for water treading???

Reason I am asking is I have a heck of a time staying afloat in fresh water like a pool, but in the local salt water I don't have to move and I float. I don't recall a specific reference from my IM exposure during my DM course, but then again I did not look then.

Thanks

Standards only specify "water too deep in which to stand" without reference to salt or fresh water. I have a salt water pool, and while not as salty as the ocean, it's still a bit easier in my pool than in a chlorinated one.

[peterbj7]

I try to get divers floating with the minimum of movement and effort. After all, it's meant to be a survival technique and you don't want to exhaust yourself. If they can float reliably and consistently without "treading water" at all then so much the better.

Salt water generally has waves, though in places like the Red Sea and Quero's pool they may be minimal, and fresh water generally doesn't. Tends to even out the issues of different natural buoyancy.

[justscuba]

I try to get divers floating with the minimum of movement and effort. After all, it's meant to be a survival technique and you don't want to exhaust yourself. If they can float reliably and consistently without "treading water" at all then so much the better.

Salt water generally has waves, though in places like the Red Sea and Quero's pool they may be minimal, and fresh water generally doesn't. Tends to even out the issues of different natural buoyancy.

You hit the nail on the head. Just stay above water and do not touch the pool or anything to help.