Any advice on how to train yourself to accomplish the 50 meter underwater swim before indoc? I'm interested as to how you build yourself up to that point during the course. I've been swimming for quite awhile, but can only really accomplish 25 meters underwater, mabye alittle more if I had a pool longer than 25 meters. I just don't want to push it without supervision that I trust in case I black out.

Any drills or suggestions for training?

(If theirs a ton of information out there that I missed I apologize but I definitely can't find it)

Hey man I'm also preparing for indoc. I ship for basic Oct 13. I think they actually got rid of the 50m underwater, but Im not entirely sure. Its probably best to assume they still have it though. They do however still have the 25m x 10 on a 1:30 interval, which I think is harder than one 50m anyways.

Thats what Ive been practicing for. The key for me is to slow down my breathing. Before swimming underwater, breathe slowly and deeply in through your nose and out your mouth focusing on nothing else but that. Doing this will slow your heart rate and allow you to remain underwater longer. Once youre actually swimming underwater focus on gliding. By that I mean making yourself as hydrodynamic as possible, streamline yourself. Take slow powerful strokes and glide as long as you can off each one. Initiate the next stoke once you feel youre slowing down too much. Taking rapid stokes and kicking a lot will only raise your heart rate which we dont want. Aim to make it across (25m) in about 6 strokes.

Heres a link to a decent video showing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...GBQ0&feature=related

The absolute most important thing with underwaters is safety. Only really push yourself if you have a buddy with you or a lifeguard specifically watching you. If youre by yourself you can still practice but go up for air the instant your body tells you. Listen to your body and dont push it. However, if you do have someone watching, just keep focusing on gliding and nothing else. Dont worry about how far you have left or the need for air. Even once your lungs start burning, just think about good strong strokes and making yourself "slippery". If you can manage to maintain your focus and not think about the need for air you'll find out youve gone a lot further then you would have thought possible.

Just keep practicing. If you cant make it the whole distance everytime who cares. Just do your best and keep on going. You'll get better and with additional cardio work such as running/biking your lung capacity will increase with time. With enough practice and determination you'll soon be doing 50m like a fish.

Hope this helps.

Yes, the 50 is gonzo. So is the 6 mile run. And being dropped and told to "knock out a set of pushups" All gone. Too many injuries

First of all the run and the swim have not changed-my son is in the pipeline. It comes down to not having fear of the water. Most quit because they are not willing to do what ever it takes--no heart. They let their fears get the best of them. Believe it or not they want you to make it--however they are not going to give it to you . you have to earn it.If you can swim both ends of the pool under water its a start. If you are not average in the pool--you will quit or fail--the drown proofing gets many. There are film on youtube or what ever its called-showing some of the things you will have to do. I told my son- the reason its hard is because there are no women in it--if they wanted it to be easy they would allow women--sorry if it offends anyone--but sometimes in todays world the facts speak for itself

quote:

Originally posted by raxerback:
I told my son- the reason its hard is because there are no women in it--if they wanted it to be easy they would allow women--

Unfortunately you are very mistaken with this belief.

The specialty could open to women this exact second and indoc and standards would not change to ignore the functional fitness needed to cope with the physical hardships and duress over 50 years of mission history and accident reports document as being encountered on the typical mission.

The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer screening and selection process is the example as it is open to the female gender. There is basic Coast Guard Standard and there is specific duty assignments mandatory physical fitness requirements for BTM, BO, LEDET, TACLET, MSST, MSRT, boat crew, and rescue swimmers that are functional fitness based (meaning the standard is same for both genders).

A physically fit member has a greater chance of successfully coping with physical requirements and higher stress levels placed upon them in operational and emergency situations. The PAST standards reflect what occupational studies indicate is the minimum physical fitness needed to perform pararescue duties and to participate in doing required train for award of 3-skill level AFSC.

The Pararescue Indoc course implemented a few changes back in June/July 2009 reduce liability of idiots killing themselves (underwater blackouts in unsupervised pools) trying to prepare themselves to pass the PAST and to eliminate the excuse "I got out of shape in BMT" (Latest statistics is roughly 43% of GTEP enlistees fail the first day PAST and are eliminated...additionally, somewhere around 5 individuals will self-eliminate without even finishing the PAST on the first day).

The PAST used for selection and screening is just a tool to be used to pre-screen individuals. The PAST doesn't test anything but physical fitness. The required mental/emotional fitness is as important as the required physical fitness and this is why functional fitness to do the job is more than the PAST. The changes are based on AFCDC requirements and scientific research/training methods.

The 50 meters underwater was reduced to 25 meters and the 4000 meter swim in 80 minutes was changed to 3,000 meter swim in 60 minutes. Added however is a 2,000 meters open water swim with Battle Dress Uniform or equal, buoyancy compensator, load bearing equipment with two magazine pouches (4 pound sand bag in each magazine pouch), rubber weapon, and environmental protective gear (wetsuit, hood, booties and gloves) as required for environmental conditions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: johca,