There will come a time in our lives when we decide to follow a more challenging path. These paths may seem close to impossible but once they are accomplished, the feeling is very rewarding. The US Navy is offering different military positions and one of them as a Navy Rescue Swimmer. Navy Rescue Swimmers are stationed around the world, always ready to perform rescue operations in times of emergency. They readily put the lives of others before their own.

As a Navy Rescue Swimmer, you undergo a series of trainings to ensure that you are prepared to face any situation both physically and mentally. Trainings will push you to your limits as some rescue operations happen in the most extreme environments imaginable. It is important that all candidates undergo the proper training in preparation for saving both military service members and civilians.

How to Become a Navy Rescue Swimmer

The Navy Rescue Swimmers training is physically demanding because swimmers must have strength, endurance, and flexibility. Candidates must meet the Navy Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) in order to proceed to aircrew school.

Candidates who pass their training in aircrew school are then moved to the Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) where they go through a series of trainings for almost two years. Candidates will go through the following Navy SEAL trainings:

• Search and Rescue Swimming Skills – 5 weeks of training at Rescue Swimming School.
• Basic Skills – will take about 18 weeks of training at Class “A” Technical School.
• SERE Techniques (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) – candidates train for 2 weeks in SERE School in California or Maine.
• Aircraft Systems – training will take place in a Naval Air Station and will take more or less 24 weeks.
• Air Rescue Units – after completing training, Rescue Swimmers may be assigned to different aircraft units like a Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC), and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS). Graduates will be assigned to different states to perform sea or shore duties.

Navy Rescue Swimmers are continuously tested throughout their training. This is to make sure that they are physically and mentally ready for every training program that they have to take. Even after the training program, there is continuous education and training to earn advance skills in rescue missions.

Navy Rescue Swimmers are trained to gain skills that will help them fulfil their rescue missions. They are trained because they are expected to be there when lives are on the line. Navy Rescue Swimmers are trained so they can live up to their motto, “So Others May Live”.

Source:

http://www.navylonghorns.com/39/training-of-a-navy-rescue-swimmer
http://www.navy.com/careers/special-operations/air-rescue.html

This Article is written by James Kara Murat