I did ask my Dive Master and Dive Instructor from Padi. They say ” No need not be a good swimmer to be a good diving” But since, if I want to be a Dive pro, I do really need to improve my skill. Technicaly I guess you don’t have to be a good swimmer to be a diver, but I think you need to be a good swimmer to be a Rescue Diver.
Go to your city/county pool a few times a week and start swimming. Start off by swimming 50 yards (down and back in a standard 25 yd pool), resting for a minute or so, then do it again 5-10 times. Then, after a week, swim 75 yds without stopping, rest, then do it again 5-10 times. After another week, swim 100 yds without stopping. Keep building up week by week to 200 yds without stopping.
For treading, don’t do the “bicycle” style – that wears you out in no time. Keep your hands out to your side, wave them back and forth, and do a slow frog kick with your legs when you feel yourself going down too far.
That is a gimmick to appeal to more people. dont get discouraged but theres a lot of people who should not touch water witha 10 foot pole. just refine your skills and give it a go. remember that its one thing to be a diver and another to be a pro. having other people’s lives relying on your skill is not something to be taken lightly.
Ihave had to make 1000 meter swims towing tired divers back to shore and trust me it takes some strong legs. Just remember it’s not a race. There is no time limit to the 200yrd. Which agency? I did PADI rescue diver a week ago and didn’t have an explicit swim test, just different rescue scenarios.
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to be a diver. However, I strongly believe you need to be a very good swimmer to be a rescuer. Take a swimming lesson, If you can’t even help yourself. How do you expect to help others in a emergency situation?