Firefighters fight panic after taking plunge

Photo By Cpl. Joshua Pettway | Staff Sgt. Matthieu Torres, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting crewman with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, dives face-forward into the Air Station combat swim tank during water survival training July 16. The training was meant to teach them basic water survival skills while wearing full rescue equipment.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

07.23.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pettway 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

In a fire, there are many different things to worry about, from flash fires to the structure collapsing. In the Lowcountry, the many bodies of water that surround the area can add to the already dangerous jobs firefighters have.

Members of the Air Station Structural Fire and Emergency Services Department along with Marines from Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting underwent training meant to help build their familiarity with the gear they use as well as teach them basic water survival skills while wearing full rescue equipment, July 13 to 16 at the Air Station combat swim tank.

“The training is similar to the Marine Corps Combat Water Survival Course in that it requires them to execute techniques that assist in floating and confidence building while in the water,” said Capt. Darran Vaughn, the Fire Department training officer. “We do the training annually and try to include members of ARFF, when we can, because we work hand-in-hand.”

The course started with a brief on the different steps of the exercise and how to complete the qualification. Before beginning the exercise, the firefighters got into shallow end of the swim tank and Vaughn demonstrated how to use a protective helmet as a flotation aid by positioning it under their legs while they swam on their backs.

The first exercise they completed was meant to build confidence in the deeper waters by practicing it in shallow waters first. Next up was the Nestle plunge, one at a time the fire fighters suited up in their full protective gear, minus the oxygen tank and protective helmet, and then purposely fell into the pool, back first.

“We call it the Nestle plunge because it is similar to the commercial where the character falls backward into the Nestle drink,” Vaughn said. “The plunge doesn’t allow them to see when they hit the water so they do not know what to expect until it happens, then they must recover on their own by utilizing their equipment.”

After each individual finished, the group continued to the deeper end of the swim tank to repeat the exercise.

According to Vaughn, the total weight of the gear used during both exercises is approximately 72 pounds before being submerged.

After executing the Nestle plunge again, the firefighters and ARFF Marines must recover and swim backward until they can climb out of the water. They must then step into the water from the side, which simulates them falling into a body of water during an actual fire related incident.

“The whole thing is a pretty good experience, I did not expect to float with all the weight I was carrying,” said Sgt. Robert Allen, an ARFF crewmember with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

After they step into the swim tank, they are then forced to the bottom to ensure they are confident enough to utilize their oxygen tank. Once they rise, the last part of the exercise requires them to fall face-forward into the water and then stabilize themselves before climbing out of the swim tank.

One-by-one, everyone completed the training and added another year or first year of certification for the water survival training, which further increased their ability to react in yet another possible scenario.

• Date Taken: 07.23.2010
• Date Posted: 07.23.2010 20:26
• Story ID: 53303
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US