I failed the brick test 3 times yesterday. I had no trouble saving humans at 11 ft depth, but the brick is the worst most unnecessary test of deep water certification.
Thank you Adam! I commented weeks ago how I have zero experience in any kind of swimming, no stamina, no endurance, I just played in the water, I forgot how to swim with good technique; and today, I can do 400m with good form and without effort, and the last thing I need to practice this week is the brick test! The other stuff came in naturally. If anyone is reading this with zero swim team experience but you’re “athletic” or you “like swimming” like me and think if you train we’ll enough to become a lifeguard, I have three words: Persistence, commitment, and consistency. My test is this weekend and I know I got this.
thank you again! I know I have a mental block I need to get over. I can do it I have done it. I just can’t get over the heaviness of the brick… It feels like it is weighing me down and pulling me under. I know how to swim.. I prefer head drive rather than falling feet first. I have my pre-test tmr. I’m extremely nervous. I really want to pass.
If you’re scared of the brick dive you have no idea what’s in store for you if you actually take the course😭 it’s not that bad if you’re a good swimmer
what do you need to do for the course? EDIT: i just passed the course and imo its all easier than the brick test was. i can still do it but wow what a pain in the ass.
I have to do this tomorrow and the test is going to be in a lake so I wont be able to see the bottom. Do you have any tips on how I could locate the brick in the dark lake?
keep eyes on where the instructor threw it, treat it like a marker. Swim to that spot without taking eyes off it, then breathe air out of your nose while submerging to get down faster. as ur going down/on the bottom, spot it and secure
Thank you! I just accepted a position as a lifeguard at a water park. I already called and asked if I could bring a weight to practice in their indoor pool. Thank you so much for the info. My nerves are a little better now.
Hi, I am taking my pretest tomorrow. I never had lifeguard training. I have a had a pool my whole life and I do know how to swim but I do not have any time to practice before I take my test. I am slightly out of shape but I am in soccer right now. I am not sure if I will even make it for the 150m swim. help.
if u exhale out of your nose, it will help u get down to the bottom quick, which will reduce the amount of time you are feeling that pressure. The more you go to the bottom, the more ur body gets used to it. But for ppl like me (pop in the ears), sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.
Hi Adam I can normally do the 15 meters with a 20lb brick 3.6 meters deep and then 5 meter back egg beater but I am struggling as it is a 3,8 meter deep pool any tips.
switch between kicks to get some momentum/light push off the bottom. Also hold the brick above ur chest (may be too high or too low). Also exhale out of your nose to sink faster and to save your breathe/time
I’m doing my pre-test tdy!! I feel pretty confident for 300yd and Treading but the brick test is a bit hard for me since I suck at diving and panick at the bottom but I got hope that I’ll be good!!
It was all fun and games until during the marine corps WSA course where they drop the bricks into the deep end and everyone in the group has to go down together and come up together with the brick
I can swim and float pretty comfortably on my back but I keep sinking when I have the brick in my hands on my chest. We use a rubber dumbbell at my pool that weighs ten pounds, and everyone is surprised that I'm not able to do it. Do you have any form advice? I'm pretty strong for my weight but it feels heavy and sinks me constantly, regardless of what position or where on my body I put it
U might be holding the dumbbell too high up on your chest, hold it above ur sternum and also experiment with flutter/breastroke and egg beater like kicks to see which one supports u the best. The weight isn’t the problem, u have to be commited to laying flat on your back or slightly leaned forward. That vid will help
When I tried my brick test, not only was the brick not even close to where my instructed said it would be but I can’t even swim to the bottom, I get like 2 feet from the bottom of the pool and I feel like I’m going to drown ☹️
exhale out of your nose to get to the bottom quicker, and light push off once u have the brick upward. This will limit the amount of ear popping that may happen, its inevidable
@@LifeofAdam Thank you! I just passed the online portion of the class today so I’m super nervous for everything else. Your channel has been super duper helpful and I really appreciate it!
Hi Adam, how do I keep my legs from getting tired while keeping the brick above water? I have my brick test in less than two weeks and I still cannot get the brick test down
Switch up ur kicks, experiment with breaststroke and eggbeater. Flutter kicks tend to get u tired fast. Can always go back and forth between whatever kicks u like to stay fresh
Hey Adam, my pool's deep end is 14 feet and I'm nervous I can't hold my breath for that long. I've done 7 and 10 feet dives but am nervous for 14 feet. Any tips? also the previous brick dives i've done were in merky water (BSA lifeguard) so I've never opened my eyes while doing this. Should I attempt to open my eyes when I'm down there? I'm also aware that breathing out will get you down faster, but I'm also worried that I won't have enough oxygen to get me back up before I run out of breath.
U definitely want to open your eyes and breathe air out of your nose when going down. Also I recommend doing a light push off, off of the bottom to help u get back to the surface with the brick and have some momentum. When swimming towards the brick I recommend doing breaststroke and taking a second to do a big inhale once ur directly above it. You will be fine
Hi，Adam. I never learned egg bitter before I passed bronze cross for 10lbs lifting. I cannot lifting 20lbsfor NLP. Do you know what should i do to lifting more weight？or if it is possible I just keep whipkick and practice whipkick to try lifting 20lbs？ Any suggestions？ Thank you！！！
Breastroke kick is the best kick to keep ur head above water. And if u hold the brick between your sternum and chin. It will give u the best chance to support it. I would combine the light push off, off the bottom and practice with the 20 lbs on your own before the test. If u are having a hard time keeping it up, you may have to train some upper body like dumbbell shoulder press, and pushups to keep ur chest out and support it..
every time I try to do it I freak out because of not being able to see and breathe (ik its irrational and kinda stupid) but do you have any tips with that?
Big breathe before submerging, locate the brick and swim directly above it, so you can just swim down in a straight line. Exhale out of your nose to sink faster hence not having hold ur breathe as long. Light push off the bottom. U have to open your eyes as well, it’s the only way
You don’t have to hold your breathe for very long. Only for like 10 seconds max. Take a breathe before submerging, blow air out of your nose to sink faster, and with the brick Do a light push off at the bottom. You’ll be above water really quick so you won’t get fatigued
They were nice to let me practice it at the Ymca, which is where I'm taking my test. Good thing I did once they gave me some tips. Until they told me to tread water for 1 min with the brick, it's not part of the test but they said it's good practice. As well as making it more comfortable with the brick.
i take my life guarding interview tomorrow, my first one ever! i’ve been watching a lot of your videos the past couple days and im honestly scared they might ask me to do the brick, it’s the one thing i struggle most with!
@@jhk768234dfg Im talking about the pre test strictly. A push off the bottom is not allowed bec your instructor wants to see that u can dive down and come back to the surface without it. with a victim u wouldnt especially if head neck injury. just a tip to make it helpful for the brick 10lb test
It’s a good practice, locating the victim, going to the bottom. Supporting weight and going back the surface. Swimming while keeping the brick above the water (like a victim). I would say yes
I failed the brick test 3 times yesterday. I had no trouble saving humans at 11 ft depth, but the brick is the worst most unnecessary test of deep water certification.
Thank you Adam! I commented weeks ago how I have zero experience in any kind of swimming, no stamina, no endurance, I just played in the water, I forgot how to swim with good technique; and today, I can do 400m with good form and without effort, and the last thing I need to practice this week is the brick test! The other stuff came in naturally.
If anyone is reading this with zero swim team experience but you’re “athletic” or you “like swimming” like me and think if you train we’ll enough to become a lifeguard, I have three words:
Persistence, commitment, and consistency. My test is this weekend and I know I got this.
how' d it go
@@overrated2875Dayum 😂
@@overrated2875I think he passed tho 😊
I did it as a 70 pound 11 year old at a summer camp - the most challenging part is the brick weighing you down while you are carrying it
thank you again! I know I have a mental block I need to get over. I can do it I have done it. I just can’t get over the heaviness of the brick… It feels like it is weighing me down and pulling me under. I know how to swim.. I prefer head drive rather than falling feet first. I have my pre-test tmr. I’m extremely nervous. I really want to pass.
You are going to do awesome, let us know
@@LifeofAdam heyy I passed my test 43 seconds was my time. thank you so much
If you’re scared of the brick dive you have no idea what’s in store for you if you actually take the course😭 it’s not that bad if you’re a good swimmer
what do you need to do for the course?
EDIT: i just passed the course and imo its all easier than the brick test was. i can still do it but wow what a pain in the ass.
comments like these is why we have a national lifeguard shortage
@@celial.4379frfr smh
I have to do this tomorrow and the test is going to be in a lake so I wont be able to see the bottom. Do you have any tips on how I could locate the brick in the dark lake?
keep eyes on where the instructor threw it, treat it like a marker. Swim to that spot without taking eyes off it, then breathe air out of your nose while submerging to get down faster. as ur going down/on the bottom, spot it and secure
Thank you! I just accepted a position as a lifeguard at a water park. I already called and asked if I could bring a weight to practice in their indoor pool. Thank you so much for the info. My nerves are a little better now.
Hi, I am taking my pretest tomorrow. I never had lifeguard training. I have a had a pool my whole life and I do know how to swim but I do not have any time to practice before I take my test. I am slightly out of shape but I am in soccer right now. I am not sure if I will even make it for the 150m swim. help.
What kind on conditioning should I do to prepare for my test like more swimming or working out or both
This video will help:th-cam.com/video/pWSViq2p1Yc/w-d-xo.html
When swim in the deep end of pools, I always feel the water pressure pushing back on me, especially around my face. How do I get used to this?
if u exhale out of your nose, it will help u get down to the bottom quick, which will reduce the amount of time you are feeling that pressure. The more you go to the bottom, the more ur body gets used to it. But for ppl like me (pop in the ears), sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.
Hi Adam I can normally do the 15 meters with a 20lb brick 3.6 meters deep and then 5 meter back egg beater but I am struggling as it is a 3,8 meter deep pool any tips.
switch between kicks to get some momentum/light push off the bottom. Also hold the brick above ur chest (may be too high or too low). Also exhale out of your nose to sink faster and to save your breathe/time
When I try to paddle back with the brick I start to sink down? But without a brick I can float. Any tips?
Hold it over the center of your chest, arch ur back more and switch between kicks to keep upward/forward movement
do you know if we need to know butterfly
Nope
I’m doing my pre-test tdy!! I feel pretty confident for 300yd and Treading but the brick test is a bit hard for me since I suck at diving and panick at the bottom but I got hope that I’ll be good!!
Going to do great, let us know
@@LifeofAdamI PASSED!! Thank you so much, and ty for reassuring me!
It was all fun and games until during the marine corps WSA course where they drop the bricks into the deep end and everyone in the group has to go down together and come up together with the brick
I can swim and float pretty comfortably on my back but I keep sinking when I have the brick in my hands on my chest. We use a rubber dumbbell at my pool that weighs ten pounds, and everyone is surprised that I'm not able to do it. Do you have any form advice? I'm pretty strong for my weight but it feels heavy and sinks me constantly, regardless of what position or where on my body I put it
This video will help: th-cam.com/video/WjOJWW-yKM8/w-d-xo.html
U might be holding the dumbbell too high up on your chest, hold it above ur sternum and also experiment with flutter/breastroke and egg beater like kicks to see which one supports u the best. The weight isn’t the problem, u have to be commited to laying flat on your back or slightly leaned forward. That vid will help
When I tried my brick test, not only was the brick not even close to where my instructed said it would be but I can’t even swim to the bottom, I get like 2 feet from the bottom of the pool and I feel like I’m going to drown ☹️
Which is easier as a person doing it for the first time? Going down head first or feet first?
I would say head first for 1st time. But after u take the course u learn feet first surface dive so that will be your go to most likely going forward
@@LifeofAdam alright thanks, I did end up doing head first lol and passed!
I’m scared of the dive because of the ear pressure, any tips for dealing with that? I’ve got to do it sunday and tuesday I think
exhale out of your nose to get to the bottom quicker, and light push off once u have the brick upward. This will limit the amount of ear popping that may happen, its inevidable
@@LifeofAdam Thank you! I just passed the online portion of the class today so I’m super nervous for everything else. Your channel has been super duper helpful and I really appreciate it!
@@LifeofAdam Hi again! Just wanted to let you know that I made it past the brick test first try with a 1:02 time :). Thanks for all your help!
Hi Adam, how do I keep my legs from getting tired while keeping the brick above water? I have my brick test in less than two weeks and I still cannot get the brick test down
Switch up ur kicks, experiment with breaststroke and eggbeater. Flutter kicks tend to get u tired fast. Can always go back and forth between whatever kicks u like to stay fresh
Hey Adam, my pool's deep end is 14 feet and I'm nervous I can't hold my breath for that long. I've done 7 and 10 feet dives but am nervous for 14 feet. Any tips? also the previous brick dives i've done were in merky water (BSA lifeguard) so I've never opened my eyes while doing this. Should I attempt to open my eyes when I'm down there? I'm also aware that breathing out will get you down faster, but I'm also worried that I won't have enough oxygen to get me back up before I run out of breath.
U definitely want to open your eyes and breathe air out of your nose when going down. Also I recommend doing a light push off, off of the bottom to help u get back to the surface with the brick and have some momentum. When swimming towards the brick I recommend doing breaststroke and taking a second to do a big inhale once ur directly above it. You will be fine
Hi，Adam. I never learned egg bitter before I passed bronze cross for 10lbs lifting. I cannot lifting 20lbsfor NLP. Do you know what should i do to lifting more weight？or if it is possible I just keep whipkick and practice whipkick to try lifting 20lbs？ Any suggestions？ Thank you！！！
I feel itis very hard to keep me face out of water😢
Breastroke kick is the best kick to keep ur head above water. And if u hold the brick between your sternum and chin. It will give u the best chance to support it. I would combine the light push off, off the bottom and practice with the 20 lbs on your own before the test. If u are having a hard time keeping it up, you may have to train some upper body like dumbbell shoulder press, and pushups to keep ur chest out and support it..
every time I try to do it I freak out because of not being able to see and breathe (ik its irrational and kinda stupid) but do you have any tips with that?
Big breathe before submerging, locate the brick and swim directly above it, so you can just swim down in a straight line. Exhale out of your nose to sink faster hence not having hold ur breathe as long. Light push off the bottom. U have to open your eyes as well, it’s the only way
How can I hold my breath while I'm going down to retrieve the brick without getting fatigued?
You don’t have to hold your breathe for very long. Only for like 10 seconds max. Take a breathe before submerging, blow air out of your nose to sink faster, and with the brick Do a light push off at the bottom. You’ll be above water really quick so you won’t get fatigued
@LifeofAdam ok how can I prevent my ears from hurting when I go down?
@LifeofAdam hay Adam can you please send a recommendation letter to my instructor? 😁
They were nice to let me practice it at the Ymca, which is where I'm taking my test. Good thing I did once they gave me some tips. Until they told me to tread water for 1 min with the brick, it's not part of the test but they said it's good practice. As well as making it more comfortable with the brick.
That is good practice. That’s clutch
i take my life guarding interview tomorrow, my first one ever! i’ve been watching a lot of your videos the past couple days and im honestly scared they might ask me to do the brick, it’s the one thing i struggle most with!
How did it go?
You said to do a light push off the bottom and your instructor won't notice it. Are you not allowed to do a big push off the bottom?
ya too big of a push off is not allowed, they wont like it
@@LifeofAdam Why is that? Is there potential harm to the victim from doing that?
@@jhk768234dfg Im talking about the pre test strictly. A push off the bottom is not allowed bec your instructor wants to see that u can dive down and come back to the surface without it. with a victim u wouldnt especially if head neck injury. just a tip to make it helpful for the brick 10lb test
I took the test today, my instructor throw it in the 15ft depth. I couldn’t even reach it before I’m out of breath😢 is there any tips for this?😢😢
This will help: th-cam.com/video/NIrqCuyAhrY/w-d-xo.html
Is the brick test accurate to when you’re actually saving someone as a lifeguard?
It’s a good practice, locating the victim, going to the bottom. Supporting weight and going back the surface. Swimming while keeping the brick above the water (like a victim). I would say yes
Can you wear you googles
Not for the brick dive, you can for the 300 yard swim tho
@@LifeofAdam 🙏 thanks
I found it difficult to open my eyes but hopefully I pass my test tomorrow
@@snapoutofit548 u got this, good luck
Repeat!