Training of a Navy Rescue Swimmer

Navy Rescue Swimmers must have flexibility, strength, and endurance; The Aircrew Program is physically demanding and candidates must meet Navy Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) with a "satisfactory-medium" in all categories to enter aircrew school.

They must also meet the following minimum physical fitness requirements:

a. Be able to perform extensive daily calisthenics.

b. Pass a Navy PFA with a "good-medium" in all categories for my age and gender.

c. Swim:
(1) 1 mile in flight suit in 80 minutes or less using sidestroke, breaststroke, or American crawl.

(2) 100 yards in full flight gear (flight suit, boots,helmet, gloves, and deflated life preserver) using each of the survival strokes for 25 yards (sidestroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and American crawl), followed immediately by a 5-minute drown-proofing (face down prone float).

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

(4) 200 yards (50 yards each breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, and American crawl).

(5) Jump from a 12-foot tower and then swim 15 yards underwater wearing flight suit and boots using a modified breaststroke, immediately followed by floating using trouser inflation techniques.

(6) 75-yard flight equipment swim; 25 yards sidestroke; 25 yards breaststroke; 25 yards elementary backstroke; and 25 yards American crawl.

In many real-world rescue situations, the swimmer leaves the helicopter and enters the ocean. Upon reaching the survivor, the swimmer removes the parachute and prepares the survivor for hook-up to the rescue device. A survivor in a stateof panic may force the swimmer underwater, but techniques taught to the swimmer will help to overcome this resistance. Once the swimmer and survivor are in the aircraft, the swimmer provides advanced first aid until medical assistance is available.

a. 400-meter swim wearing mask, fins, and snorkel in 11 minutes or less.

b. 1.5-mile run in 12 minutes or less.

c. 35 push-ups in 2 minutes or less.

d. 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes or less.

e. 2 pull-ups in 2 minutes or less.

During the course of training, candidates must conduct:

 a. 90 minutes of intensive calisthenics and 30-35 minute cross-country runs daily.

 b. 800M swim in 20 minutes wearing rescue swimmer equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, short wetsuit, and Search and Rescue (SAR)Harness with deflated floatation).

 c. 400M buddy tow in 16 minutes wearing rescue swimmer equipment.

d. 2000M swim in 50 minutes wearing rescue swimmer equipment.

 e. 4 pull-ups in a flight suit and boots within 2 minutes.

 f. Carry two 50-pound dumbbells 100 yards on flat terrain over 4 obstacles 12-14 inches in height within 2 minutes.

 g. Walk 1 mile with a medevac litter within 16 minutes.

 h. Swim 500 meters in SAR gear immediately followed by 400 meter buddy tow within 27 minutes.

 i. Weekly strength training with free weights and machines.

j. Successfully complete CPR for professional rescuer.