30 January 2012

The Rescue Swimmers of the Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force save thousands of people stuck in flooded areas, natural disasters and rough seas all over The United States and the World. With Water safety being our number priority in our pool, the Y would like to pay tribute to the men and women of the Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force who risk their lives everyday to keep us safer and serve as models for aquatic safety.

Just a tiny peek into the lives these brave people put themselves through to earn the title of Rescue Swimmer is inspiring but at the same time intimidating.

According to military.com the Search and Rescue Swimmer (SAR) manual includes eight different water deployment procedures; 11 ways to approach, carry and release a survivor, seven ways to release equipment from a helicopter and ways to free the services' different parachutes and backpacks. So being comfortable in the water is an understatement. Being able to think while being submerged, holding your breath, controlling a paniced drownee, all the while being tossed and half drowned by 10-20 ft. waves takes unbelievable courage, as well as grueling training both mentally and physically.

In order to even begin training as a SAR Swimmer you must meet this minimum requirements. These are pool minimums only and do not include physical daily calisthenics, test scores, basic military qualifications. These are conducted one after the other without break:

1.) Swim one mile in flight gear (flight suit, boots, helmet, gloves, deflated life preserver) 

2.) 100 yards swim in flight gear followed by 5 minute drown proofing

3.) In full flight gear, tread water for 2 minutes followed by 3 minutes drown proofing

4.) 200 yard swim

5.) Jump from a 12-ft. tower and swim 15 yards underwater wearing flight suit 

6.) 75 yard swim in flight suit

7.) Followed by an advanced pt test including:

•   400 meter swim in under 11 min
•   1.5 mile run in under 12 minutes
•   35 push-ups in under 2 minutes
•   50 sit-ups in under 2 minutes
•   2 pull-ups in under 2 minutes

This is mandatory just to begin training which involves more physical and mental strain, all to turn the candidates into our nations greatest swimmers. 

We at the Y would like to say thank you to all those who serve as rescue swimmers for our military.

We also know that deployment can be a stressful and uncertain time for our nation’s servicemen and women and their families. In partnership with the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense, the Y is proud to offer memberships to eligible military families and personnel to give them extra support during this difficult period. It’s our way of giving back to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country.

For more information refer to our Military Outreach Initiative.

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