Divemaster Course Instructor Guide 4-1
Professional Associationof Diving Instructors
There are four exercises that evaluate
stamina and waterskills, each rated
by points. There is no passing
score for any single exercise, but
a combined score of 12 or more
is required prior to certification.
In addition, candidates must
complete all exercises prior to
certification.
Candidates who fall short of a
combined score of 12 may be given
time to practice and develop their
abilities while continuing in other
areas of the course.
4-2 Four: Waterskills and Stamina
Stamina Exercise 1: 400 Metre/Yard Swim
The candidate must swim 400 metres/yards without stopping using
no swimming aids and using any stroke or combination of strokes
desired. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be repeated.
400 yards 400 metres
Time Points Time
under 6 min 5 under 6 min, 30 sec
6 to 8 min 4 6 min,30 sec to 8 min, 40 sec
8 to 10 min 3 8 min, 40 sec to 11 min
10 to 12 min 2 11 to 13 min
more than 12 min 1 more than 13 min
stopped incomplete stopped
Stamina Exercise 2: 15 Minute Tread
Using no aids and wearing only a swimsuit, the candidate will stay
afloat by treading water, drown proofing, bobbing or floating for 15
minutes, with hands (not arms) out of the water during the last 2
minutes. A candidate with a physical challenge that makes it difficult/
impossible to hold hands out of the water is exempted from that
portion of the exercise with no effect on the score.
Criteria Points
Performed satisfactorily 5
Stayed afloat, but hands not out of water entire 2 minutes 3
Used side/bottom for momentary support no more than twice 1
Used side/bottom for support more than twice incomplete
Stamina Exercise 3: 800 Metre/Yard Snorkel Swim
Using a mask, fins, snorkel and swimsuit only (no BCD or flotation
aids) and swimming with the face in the water, the candidate must
swim nonstop for 800 metres/yards. The candidate may not use arms
to swim, unless the candidate has a physical challenge that limits leg
use and arm-swimming is the individual’s normal swimming method
while diving. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete and must be
repeated.
800 yards 800 metres
Time Points Time
under 13 min 5 under 14 min
13 to 15 min 4 14 to 16 min, 30 sec
15 to 17 min 3 16 min, 30 sec to 18 min, 30 sec
17 to 19 min 2 18 min, 30 sec to 21 min
more than 19 min 1 more than 21 min
stopped incomplete stopped
Stamina Exercise 4: 100 Metres/Yard Inert Diver Tow
Wearing full scuba equipment, the candidate must push or tow an
inert diver in full scuba at the surface 100 metres/yards nonstop
without assistance. Note that this is a swimming power evaluation (speedagainst-
drag) not a rescue evaluation. If a candidate stops, the exercise is incomplete
and must be repeated.
100 yards 100 metres
Time Points Time
under 2 min 5 under 2 min, 10 sec
2 to 3 min 4 2 min, 10 sec to 3 min, 15 sec
3 to 4 min 3 3 min, 15 sec to 4 min, 20 sec
4 to 5 min 2 4 min, 20 sec to 5 min, 30 sec
more than 5 min 1 more than 5 min, 30 sec
stopped incomplete stopped

In responce to divemaster Stamina/Swim I have to say My Buddy and I had a cracker our 400yard swim was at ( am before breakfast in open sea followed by our 800 yard snorkle & fine and again followed by treading water for 15 mins with hands out of the water for the last 5 mins and we really enjoyed the challeng our instuctor is also a commertial dive and put so much more into the course that not only i believe but all four of us believe has made us much better divers