Marines learn water skills

Photo By Sgt. Christopher Zahn | Sgt. Christopher Dunton, non-commisioned officer-in-charge at the Combat Swim Tank, takes a leap with his hands and feet bound. Dunton was instructed to do so and swim to the end of the pool to complete his training to be a Combat Water Safety Swimmer.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, UNITED STATES

06.11.2010

Story by Cpl. Christopher Zahn 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Three Marines proved they have enough strength and stamina to graduate the Combat Water Safety Swimmers course at the Combat Swim Tank aboard the Air Station, June 11.

“The purpose of the combat water safety swimmer course is to basically learn to assist a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival with conducting swim qualifications for Marines,” said Sgt. Christopher Dunton, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Combat Swim Tank. “They’ll be able to do a range of things, from giving a class on personal survival in the water, to being in the water with the Marines, along with standing in as lifeguards to rescue them if need be.”

Any water survival-qualified Marine looking for a challenge can try out for the course, regardless of rank.

“First of all you have to be Water Survival Qualified,” said Lance Cpl. Kevin Wheeler, the instructor for the course. “You need to have a lot of drive, a lot of heart and the motivation within yourself necessary to complete CWSS.”

In order to be considered for the course, Marines had to complete a 500-meter swim in less than 14 minutes, a 50-meter life-saving swim with a 10-pound brick, a 25-meter underwater swim and retrieval of a 10-pound weight from the bottom of the pool.

During the tough training days, Marines were evaluated on lifesaving rescues, the proper execution of strokes and their aquatic confidence skills. In addition, Marines must swim 500 meters in under 11 minutes and pass all of the written exams. The Marines also become American Red Cross community first aid and CPR certified.

“Their water skills have improved tremendously, they all have perfect strokes now and can hold their breath underwater for at least 40 meters,” said Wheeler, who is also a military policeman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273. “Some of them couldn’t even make it 25 meters when they first got into the pool. There were guys who barely made it past the entry exam for the course. But now they have all surpassed that and can swim 40 meters at least.”

While the course made the Marines better swimmers, it had the greatest effect as a confidence booster, which is vital when going into the water after a drowning comrade.

“It really helped me build confidence in my underwater swimming skills, I didn’t think I could swim as far as I did,” said Sgt. Robin Spotts, a radar repairman with Marine Air Control Squadron 2. “I was a decent swimmer when I started, but I am a much better swimmer after graduating this course.”

• Date Taken: 06.11.2010
• Date Posted: 06.17.2010 13:40
• Story ID: 51555
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, US