MCWST-Water Survival Concerns

[roknroll]

This is the biggest fear I have over anything in boot camp. I'm a decent swimmer...but can anyone tell me what this part of boot camp involves? I'm mainly worried about jumping off the diving board with full gear on, and then sinking to the bottom. Is it easy to swim with boots on? The Gas Chamber, Rappelling, The DIs don't even come close to my fear of this water training exercise. I'm a good swimmer when I'm just out there doing my thing, but I've been in situations(kayaking)that sort of left me scared of being in a situation out of my control. Basically I was turned over in my kayak under water, and instead of pulling out(I was learning how to roll), I tried grabbing on to my friends kayak to pull myself up. So there I was, with a kayak on my back, my body was curved in the most awkward position...again, I could have pulled out, but it takes forever to get back in your kayak. I've fallen out in white water plenty of times, but that kayak experience has sort of left me scared. Anyways, if someone could somehow ease my fear, that would be appreciated. Thanks. -Andrew

[Bige1371]

Just stay calm in the water. Lean back on your pack it will float and you will not stay at the bottom unless you freak out. If that happens a swim instructor will get you out before you drown. It really isn't that bad at all.

[The Sandman]

sinking in water is a simple matter of density. denisty is a ratio of volume and mass. so if you freak out your muslces contract. this reduces the volume of the same mass. thus, you sink. so dont freak out and you should, theorhetically, be fine.

[roknroll]

yeah, but couldn't I just swim to the top if my pack didn't work, or if I fudge it up somehow?

[The Sandman]

if you stay calm you will be fine, the science is sound. if something fudges up, they will have you out of the water faster than you can say "fudges up"

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

You can swim with your gear on I suppose, but I don't think it would be fun. But, the packs are made to be flotation devices. I don't know that we can calm all of your fears, but once you're in the water, remember to think "wow, those guys at Leatherneck were right."

If you can swim, you can pass the test.

[jinelson]

I remember a kid in my platoon he was worried the whole way through boot about swim qual. He not only couldnt swim but he was down right terrified of being in water over his head. I was shocked at how he was taught to do something that I thought he was incapable of. But he learned how to swim and qualified and was so excited and proud of his accomplishment. Our Drill Instructors also were pleased with him because shortly after he became my squad leader.

[PFTstud]

Just look @ me.

I can't swim and and terrified of heights so boot camp is going to be bad.. I might just join the army.

[roknroll]

Well, it's marines or nothing with me...

well...I shouldn't say that...my last an only option would be coast guard.

[Phantom Blooper]

Just look @ me.

I can't swim and and terrified of heights so boot camp is going to be bad.. I might just join the army.


The Army swims and gets wet too!

[Born Invincible]

Oddly enough your gear saves you from sinking the gear you will wear is actually bouyant. The boots float... hard to believe but you will see. Being in the water tests your own ability to tough it out. If you have the heart you will get atleast 2nd class if you quit on yourself or don't listen to the instructors all you'll get is 4th.

[Old Marine]

Well, it's marines or nothing with me...

well...I shouldn't say that...my last an only option would be coast guard.

Why would anyone want to be a Shallow Water Sailor?

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Old Marine, if I couldn't have been a Marine, the Coast Guard would have been my choice as well. Being one of the few groups that is actually trying to preven illegal immigration and drug trafficing, I like their mission. Plus, after seeing how the Coast Guard guys lived near us in NC, I was amazed. The best life style of any "military" group I have seen.

[roknroll]

I like the coast guard's mission as well. They seem to have a bit of the small group pride that the Marines have.

[His_angel]

Guess I'm the only one whose memory differs on the swim qual. I wasn't used to swimming with clothes and shoes on. Muchless swimming in cammies and boots. It was challenging and difficult but not impossible. And there were plenty of folks there just in case someone did have a problem. We had several recruits who didn't know how to swim before boot. I seem to recall most of them passing.

Gas chamber is a fact of life. It's only unpleasant for a little bit.

Rappelling was a blast. I'd of loved to have done that over and over and over. At least that is after I did the first one. I was a bit intemidated until I tried it.

Angel

[Old Marine]

Old Marine, if I couldn't have been a Marine, the Coast Guard would have been my choice as well. Being one of the few groups that is actually trying to preven illegal immigration and drug trafficing, I like their mission. Plus, after seeing how the Coast Guard guys lived near us in NC, I was amazed. The best life style of any "military" group I have seen.

I don't see how any military personnel could be any happier than Air Force personnel. I take my wife to an Air Force Base for her I.D. Card and those personnel are the happiest I have ever seen. Not to mention their living conditions. I have also been to the Provost Marshalls office on Marine Bases for her I.D. Card and everyone always seems to have PMS.

[outlaw3179]

Id go coast guard also...I think it would be cool to be on the speedboats manning a 60 stopping drug runners.

[Marine84]

Pretty much the same here - couldn't swim but I did float for 5 minutes (not without a fight - had trouble abandoning ship off that diving board) - they worked with those of us who couldn't swim in the shallow end until lunch and after lunch we had to go off the board. Then we had to tie our pants around our neck to make a float and step off the side. I had some MEAN male DI - he called me Southern Belle and got in my face and told me "when I tell you to jump, YOU BETTER JUMP" and I was in the water before he got the P out of his mouth good. It was funny as all get out!

[Voeltner]

One of the recruiters at RSS Elizabethtown told me what helps a little bit is to put your blouse over your mouth and blow into it, giving it a flotation device effect.