Public affairs learns water survival in the desert

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Isaac Sanders, a print journalist with 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, does pushups while being hosed down by 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment First Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Alyn MacLeod, Feb. 7, 2015, at Fort Irwin, Calif. The drown-proofing training the unit was participating in required the Soldiers enter the pool already wet. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David L. Nye 204th PAD)  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

02.07.2015

Courtesy Story

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Soldiers with the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 222nd Broadcast Operations Detachment conducted drown proofing at Fort Irwin, California, Feb. 7 as part of their battle training assembly.

The training, designed to help soldiers survive in open water emergencies where they might have to swim until rescue arrives, was conducted by post civilians at the base pool.

“I was very nervous about the training because I thought that I might sink,” Pfc. Clarice Sykes, a human resources specialist with the 222nd BOD, said.

Another Soldier, Spc. Morgan Ancheta, a visual information equipment maintainer with the 222nd BOD, said, “I expected to learn how to do specific strokes, like the sidestroke, because I knew it takes specific forms, not just kicking and hoping.”

The troops expected a swimming class, but they received much more than that.

They quickly learned that their uniforms become too dense in the pool to simply swim with.

“If this gets wet, it’s pretty heavy if you’re treading water,” said Staff Sgt. Mary Healy, a 222nd BOD visual information equipment maintainer, as she gestured to her Army combat uniform.

“I had trouble with treading, staying in one place and keeping afloat with my arms and legs in one place,” explained Ancheta. “Most people aren’t used to that. Running, I’m good at that, but using my arms was tough. If you’re weak in one area, it shows.”

Techniques taught during the training allowed the Soldiers to overcome the weight of the wet uniforms. One helpful tactic was sealing the uniform and filling it with air.

“It was pretty interesting,” said Ancheta. “I never thought of anything like that. Most people don’t think of their attire being a tool to save themselves. When clothes get wet, they get heavy and people want to chuck them away.”

The trainees learned to inflate their uniform tops and pants as well as how to conduct the “dead man’s float.” The “dead man’s float” is when a swimmer, rather than treading water, uses the air in the lungs to float for short periods.

“I liked the dead man’s float,” said Ancheta. “It taught me how to keep my body at rest and conserve energy. I didn’t use as much then as when treading water.”

After the class, unit leaders reflected on the value of the instruction.

“Now you know what you could do. Your uniform could save your life,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Proseus, 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment first sergeant.

Axel Rivera, the water safety instructor at the pool, listed some of the programs the pool offers.

“We provide military training such as drown proofing, combat water survival training. We also have extracurricular activities such as the master’s swim program. And it’s very good for people who are trying to rehabilitate themselves as well.”

• Date Taken: 02.07.2015
• Date Posted: 02.12.2015 18:22
• Story ID: 154351
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US
• Hometown: BELL, CA, US
• Hometown: VALLEJO, CA, US