Combat Water Survival at Marine Boot Camp
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Marine Corps Combat Water Survival - Swim Qualification
During boot camp, you will have to demonstrate your proficiency in the water. You will go to the Combat Training Tank, (swimming pool) for an entire week. For those who only need to get the lowest level of swim qualification, you will likely only spend one or two days in the pool. For the rest, i.e. infantry, amtrackers, or any MOS that will bring you in contact with water, you will have to qualify at the higher levels, which will take longer. Those who finish swim qual early in the week will head back to the house to study knowledge for their upcoming exam or field day the barracks. Below are the basic instructions for how to execute the techniques involved in the Swim Qualification.
Information in this section was gathered from MCRP 3-02C, the Marine Corps Reference Publication for Water Survival.
Staying Afloat Using the T-Method
The T-method is a basic drownproofing method. This is the best survival technique if you have negative buoyancy. To execute the T-method — With your face out of the water, take a deep breath and submerge your face in the water while holding your breath. Float with your body in a horizontal position, arms extended from your side, and legs extended and joined. Move your hands up to your armpits by tracing an imaginary line along your ribs. Extend your arms outward (horizontal) to your sides, your body position resembles the letter ―T.‖ Step out and forward with one leg and point your other leg to the rear, your knees should be slightly bent.
Simultaneously, bring your arms down to your sides. Then bring your legs back together. You complete the steps by exhaling most of your air and preparing to surface your face to obtain another breath of air. Hold your head out of the water.
Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe normally. Once your breath is complete, move your hands up and down directly in front of your body. Do this two or three times to slow your descent into the water. NOTE: To avoid hyperventilating, hold your breath below the surface of the water for no more than 10 seconds.
Basic Combat Survival Strokes
Breast Stroke
Use this stroke to swim underwater, through oil or debris, and in rough seas. If you are a good swimmer and not wearing combat gear, the breast stroke is the best stroke for long-range swimming because it provides good visibility and allows you to conserve your energy and maintain a reasonable speed.
Body position
Lie prone in the water. Swim with your trunk and legs projecting back and down at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees. Extend arms out in front (hands together [side by side]), and extend legs behind (toes pointed) to prevent drag. Face downward, looking forward at a 45 degree angle to break the water and to prevent water from washing into the collar area causing drag. This is known as a glide.
Arm action
Turn your palms outward and bend your arms slightly. Sweep your arms sideward and slightly downward until your hands are opposite and slightly below your shoulders. Rotate your head up, breathe once your mouth breaks the surface. Bring your hands and arms up along your chest and thrust them forward until they are extended and ready to execute the next arm pull. As the arms start their recovery into the glide, the head should rotate forward, resubmerging the face.
Leg action
Draw your heels toward your buttocks, establish a 45 degree bend in the knees. Thrust your legs outward and rearward, then squeeze them together. The whipping action of the feet aids forward propulsion. This is known as the breast stroke kick.
Breathing
Inhale during the arm pull and exhale through your mouth and nose during the finish of the breast stroke kick and glide.
Coordination
The stroke movement is in three counts: Begin your arm pull. Near the finish of the pull, flex your knees and bring your heels toward your buttocks. The arm pull counteracts the resistance created by the knees. As the arm pull is completed, thrust your hands forward, kick your legs outward and rearward, and squeeze them together. Glide through the water for approximately 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke.
Side Stroke
The side stroke is a survival stroke because you use both arms for buoyancy, with each arm creating a slight propulsion. The majority
of your body’s propulsion comes from your kick. To execute the side stroke—
Body position
Lie on your side with your lead (bottom) arm extended beyond (with a slight bend in your elbow) your head and in line with your body. Palm is down and your hand is submerged 6 to 8 inches. Extend your trail (top) arm down the length of your body over your thigh. Keep your legs straight and together, toes pointed rearward. Keep your face out of the water, this allows for free breathing. This is known as the glide.
Arm action
With your lead arm, pull your arm downward, while flexing at the elbow, until it is straight down from your shoulder. Rotate your shoulder and pull your elbow into your side. This should put your lead hand at shoulder level. At the same time, turn your palm toward your face and thrust forward to your original, extended position. Draw your right hand upward in front of your chest to shoulder level. Rotate your palm toward your feet, then push it downward in front of your body toward your feet to catch the water. Push your trail hand backward to its original position on top of your thigh. (Your trail hand starts forward and meets your lead hand at your chest/shoulder.)
Leg action
To perform the scissor kick, the top leg always goes forward and the bottom leg always goes rearward. From the extended position, draw—or recover— your feet toward your buttocks until your legs are bent at a 45 degree angle at the knees and the hips are flexed at a 45 degree angle with the thighs. Once the legs have completed their recovery and while maintaining a 45 degree bend in the knees, extend the legs fully into a ―V‖ shape in order to catch the water for the propulsion phase. Once the legs are separated and extended forward and rearward to the ―V‖ position, sweep the legs together until the feet are together. You are now in the glide position.
Breathing
As long as your face remains clear of the water, it is a free breathing stroke. However, it is recommended that you exhale then quickly inhale when the legs are sweeping back together in the scissor kick. This is when the body reaches its highest point in the water, thus clearing the face completely from the surface of the water making it the optimum time to breathe.
Coordination
Begin the stroke with the downward pull of your lead arm. At the same time, bring your trail arm upward and draw your knees up to begin the kick. Let the thrust of the lead arm, push of your trail arm, and the kick of your legs coincide in order to finish the glide position. Glide through the water for approximately 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke.
Elementary Backstroke
The elementary backstroke is also an excellent survival stroke. It relieves the muscles that you use for other strokes, and it is the recommended stroke for weak swimmers or nonswimmers. To execute the elementary backstroke—
Body position
Start on your back. Face up, chest up, and hips up, keeping an arch in your lower back with arms pressed to your sides and your legs extended and joined to prevent drag.
Arm action
Trace your hands up your sides to an area near your armpits then extend your arms out to the sides to form the letter ―T‖ (palms facing feet), locking out the elbows. NOTE: Don’t raise your arms above your head. This creates drag, changes your body position, and submerges the head. Slap your palms to your thighs using a strong sweeping motion.
Leg action
Bend both legs at the knee (90 degree angle) slightly separating your knees and drawing your heels downward to a point under and outside your knees. The knees are spread as wide as the hips or slightly wider depending on the body type of the swimmer. Circle around in a whipping action, ending with legs in a glide position.
Breathing
Breathe anytime during this stroke. However, it is recommended that you exhale then quickly inhale when your arms are sweeping back toward your sides and while your legs are sweeping back together. This is when the body reaches its highest point in the water, thus clearing the face completely from the surface of the water and making it the optimum time to breathe.
Coordination
The stroke movement occurs in three counts (recovery, catch, power). Begin the arm pull (recovery). Near the finish of the pull, flex your knees to a 90 degree angle. The arm pull counteracts the resistance created by the knees. Kick out your legs, and squeeze them together as the arm pull is completed (catch, power). Glide through the water for 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke as your momentum slows.
Abandon Ship Technique
Place your hands on their opposite shoulders, forming a crisscross pattern. Step to the edge of the platform and check the water below for debris or personnel. DO NOT hold your nose as you abandon ship. If you do hold your nose, the force of impact into the water could jar your arm and hand and cause you to break your nose. Step off the side of the platform with a 30-inch stride. DO NOT LOOK DOWN AT THE WATER. LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. Looking down at the water can render you unconscious or cause injuries upon impact. Cross your legs. Keep your head parallel to the water’s surface until hitting the water. You should remain in this position until your descent into the water has almost stopped. However, the weight imbalances in your body may cause you to be in a ―J‖ shape under the water. Once your downward motion has ceased, your feet may be parallel with the ocean bottom or you may be nearly inverted with your feet over your head. To counteract potential disorientation, you should pause briefly and allow the natural buoyancy of your torso to bring your body to a nearly upright position. Swim upward, extending one arm (hand is shaped as a fist) upward to feel for obstructions. If you encounter debris, try to push it away or surface in a different location.
Surface Burning Oil Swim
To properly execute a surface burning oil swim— Extend your arms overhead as far as possible. Wave your arms back and forth vigorously to splash a hole while moving upward. Splash as long as possible to push burning fuel away from the surfacing area. Use your arms and hands to sweep away fuel and debris. Kick your legs in a constant breast stroke kick. Extend your arms (palms outward) forward on the surface, arms shoulderwidth apart. Pull your hands in and back toward the chest. Stop your hands in front of your face and rotate them so that your palms face forward (roughly halfway out of the water). Sweep your arms forward to a full extension at the shoulder width. This splashes debris, oil, or burning liquids aside. To reduce the chance of fatigue, use two short splashes to the front to extend the path. Repeat the preceding step as necessary while swimming clear of the area.
Water Proofing your Pack
To waterproof your pack you will place all your contents into a waterproof sack, also known as a ―Willy Pete‖ bag. This will create a buoyant sack that will help you stay afloat while in the water. Your pack will act as a life preserver.
Swimming with your Pack
Body position Keep the upper part of your body prone to the water, let your legs dangle horizontally, and keep your face up. Extend your hands out in front of your waist. Sweep your arms slightly downward and back 90 degrees to propel your body through the water. Move your hands back to the front of your waist. Repeat. Continuously move your legs in a bicycle-like movement, bringing your knees up high and step out. Keep your face out of the water during the stroke, and breathe freely.
Floating With an Inflated Blouse
It is possible to float by a bubble of air trapped in the shoulders of your blouse. The air rises to the back and shoulders of the blouse and supports you at the water’s surface. An inflated blouse is also a temporary flotation device used by weaker swimmers while trying to remove their trousers. There is a primary and an alternate way to create a bubble of trapped air in a blouse—
Primary Method
Turn the collar inside the blouse to help create a seal. Unbutton top button and pull collar around mouth and nose. Take a deep breath and bend forward slightly at the waist. Exhale one-half to three-quarters of a breath into the blouse. Grasp and twist the collar with one hand to create a seal, this prevents air from escaping out from the collar. Use your free hand and feet to stroke and kick to the surface. Gather and hold the blouse tightly at the collar and stomach level to prevent the blouse from losing air if it floats up too high. Splash water on the blouse periodically to prevent the material from drying, dry material allows air to escape. Repeat inflation as required.
Alternate Method
Turn the collar inside the blouse to help create a seal. Unbutton the second button from the top. Take a deep breath and bend forward slightly at the waist.Place your mouth and nose inside the hole created by the open button and exhale one-half to three-quarters of a breath into the blouse. Grasp material at the unbutton portion and pull downward. Use your free hand and feet to stroke and kick to the surface.
Splash water on the blouse periodically to prevent the material from drying, dry material allows air to escape. Repeat inflation as required.
Floating With Inflated Trousers
In warm water, trousers can be used as a primary expedient flotation device. However, in cold water, submerging your head to remove and inflate your trousers results in heat and energy losses that negate the benefit of using the trousers as a flotation device. Once your trousers are inflated, you float motionlessly as if wearing a life preserver. If needed, assume the heat escape lessening posture to slow heat loss. As trousers dry, air leaks out of the legs. To slow this process, occasionally splash water on the fabric. Reinflate trousers as needed.
Sling Method
The sling method works if you are a strong swimmer or naturally very buoyant. Take the following steps to inflate trousers using the sling method: Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest. Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser’s fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. (The appendix illustrates various knots.) Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers above the water’s surface and behind your head. Grasp both sides of the waistband and open with both hands. Kick strongly to stay on top of the water while slinging the trousers overhead in order to trap air into them. Once the waistband is submerged in the water, air is trapped in the legs. Hold and seal the waistband underwater. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically to prevent the material
from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique known as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.
Splash Method
The splash method is an alternative to the sling method. As with the sling method, you must kick strongly to remain at the surface. To inflate trousers using the splash method, perform the following: Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest.
Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers at the water’s surface out in front of you by the waistband with the fly up. Grasp the waistband at the surface with one hand. Insert your
free hand into the waistband, palm down. Flutter your hand rapidly to create bubbles. This sends a mixture of water and air bubbles into the trousers. The water passes through the fabric. The air remains trapped in the legs. Hold and seal the waistband underwater. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically to prevent the material from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique known as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.
Blow Method
The blow method is an alternative to the sling method. Use the blow method if you are a weak swimmer. Take the following steps to inflate trousers using the blow method:Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest. Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. (The appendix illustrates various knots.) Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers at the water’s surface. Grasp both sides of the waistband and open with
both hands. Take a deep breath. Drop 2 feet below the water’s surface, pulling the waistband underwater. Hold the waistband open with both hands and blow air into the trousers. To fill the trousers with air, surface while keeping the waistband underwater, breathe in again, drop below the water’s surface, and blow air into the trousers. Repeat these steps until the trousers are filled sufficiently. Once trousers are filled— Hold the waistband underwater. Twist and pinch it off. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically, to prevent the material from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique referred to as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.
During boot camp, you will have to demonstrate your proficiency in the water. You will go to the Combat Training Tank, (swimming pool) for an entire week. For those who only need to get the lowest level of swim qualification, you will likely only spend one or two days in the pool. For the rest, i.e. infantry, amtrackers, or any MOS that will bring you in contact with water, you will have to qualify at the higher levels, which will take longer. Those who finish swim qual early in the week will head back to the house to study knowledge for their upcoming exam or field day the barracks. Below are the basic instructions for how to execute the techniques involved in the Swim Qualification.
Information in this section was gathered from MCRP 3-02C, the Marine Corps Reference Publication for Water Survival.
Staying Afloat Using the T-Method
The T-method is a basic drownproofing method. This is the best survival technique if you have negative buoyancy. To execute the T-method — With your face out of the water, take a deep breath and submerge your face in the water while holding your breath. Float with your body in a horizontal position, arms extended from your side, and legs extended and joined. Move your hands up to your armpits by tracing an imaginary line along your ribs. Extend your arms outward (horizontal) to your sides, your body position resembles the letter ―T.‖ Step out and forward with one leg and point your other leg to the rear, your knees should be slightly bent.
Simultaneously, bring your arms down to your sides. Then bring your legs back together. You complete the steps by exhaling most of your air and preparing to surface your face to obtain another breath of air. Hold your head out of the water.
Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe normally. Once your breath is complete, move your hands up and down directly in front of your body. Do this two or three times to slow your descent into the water. NOTE: To avoid hyperventilating, hold your breath below the surface of the water for no more than 10 seconds.
Basic Combat Survival Strokes
Breast Stroke
Use this stroke to swim underwater, through oil or debris, and in rough seas. If you are a good swimmer and not wearing combat gear, the breast stroke is the best stroke for long-range swimming because it provides good visibility and allows you to conserve your energy and maintain a reasonable speed.
Body position
Lie prone in the water. Swim with your trunk and legs projecting back and down at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees. Extend arms out in front (hands together [side by side]), and extend legs behind (toes pointed) to prevent drag. Face downward, looking forward at a 45 degree angle to break the water and to prevent water from washing into the collar area causing drag. This is known as a glide.
Arm action
Turn your palms outward and bend your arms slightly. Sweep your arms sideward and slightly downward until your hands are opposite and slightly below your shoulders. Rotate your head up, breathe once your mouth breaks the surface. Bring your hands and arms up along your chest and thrust them forward until they are extended and ready to execute the next arm pull. As the arms start their recovery into the glide, the head should rotate forward, resubmerging the face.
Leg action
Draw your heels toward your buttocks, establish a 45 degree bend in the knees. Thrust your legs outward and rearward, then squeeze them together. The whipping action of the feet aids forward propulsion. This is known as the breast stroke kick.
Breathing
Inhale during the arm pull and exhale through your mouth and nose during the finish of the breast stroke kick and glide.
Coordination
The stroke movement is in three counts: Begin your arm pull. Near the finish of the pull, flex your knees and bring your heels toward your buttocks. The arm pull counteracts the resistance created by the knees. As the arm pull is completed, thrust your hands forward, kick your legs outward and rearward, and squeeze them together. Glide through the water for approximately 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke.
Side Stroke
The side stroke is a survival stroke because you use both arms for buoyancy, with each arm creating a slight propulsion. The majority
of your body’s propulsion comes from your kick. To execute the side stroke—
Body position
Lie on your side with your lead (bottom) arm extended beyond (with a slight bend in your elbow) your head and in line with your body. Palm is down and your hand is submerged 6 to 8 inches. Extend your trail (top) arm down the length of your body over your thigh. Keep your legs straight and together, toes pointed rearward. Keep your face out of the water, this allows for free breathing. This is known as the glide.
Arm action
With your lead arm, pull your arm downward, while flexing at the elbow, until it is straight down from your shoulder. Rotate your shoulder and pull your elbow into your side. This should put your lead hand at shoulder level. At the same time, turn your palm toward your face and thrust forward to your original, extended position. Draw your right hand upward in front of your chest to shoulder level. Rotate your palm toward your feet, then push it downward in front of your body toward your feet to catch the water. Push your trail hand backward to its original position on top of your thigh. (Your trail hand starts forward and meets your lead hand at your chest/shoulder.)
Leg action
To perform the scissor kick, the top leg always goes forward and the bottom leg always goes rearward. From the extended position, draw—or recover— your feet toward your buttocks until your legs are bent at a 45 degree angle at the knees and the hips are flexed at a 45 degree angle with the thighs. Once the legs have completed their recovery and while maintaining a 45 degree bend in the knees, extend the legs fully into a ―V‖ shape in order to catch the water for the propulsion phase. Once the legs are separated and extended forward and rearward to the ―V‖ position, sweep the legs together until the feet are together. You are now in the glide position.
Breathing
As long as your face remains clear of the water, it is a free breathing stroke. However, it is recommended that you exhale then quickly inhale when the legs are sweeping back together in the scissor kick. This is when the body reaches its highest point in the water, thus clearing the face completely from the surface of the water making it the optimum time to breathe.
Coordination
Begin the stroke with the downward pull of your lead arm. At the same time, bring your trail arm upward and draw your knees up to begin the kick. Let the thrust of the lead arm, push of your trail arm, and the kick of your legs coincide in order to finish the glide position. Glide through the water for approximately 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke.
Elementary Backstroke
The elementary backstroke is also an excellent survival stroke. It relieves the muscles that you use for other strokes, and it is the recommended stroke for weak swimmers or nonswimmers. To execute the elementary backstroke—
Body position
Start on your back. Face up, chest up, and hips up, keeping an arch in your lower back with arms pressed to your sides and your legs extended and joined to prevent drag.
Arm action
Trace your hands up your sides to an area near your armpits then extend your arms out to the sides to form the letter ―T‖ (palms facing feet), locking out the elbows. NOTE: Don’t raise your arms above your head. This creates drag, changes your body position, and submerges the head. Slap your palms to your thighs using a strong sweeping motion.
Leg action
Bend both legs at the knee (90 degree angle) slightly separating your knees and drawing your heels downward to a point under and outside your knees. The knees are spread as wide as the hips or slightly wider depending on the body type of the swimmer. Circle around in a whipping action, ending with legs in a glide position.
Breathing
Breathe anytime during this stroke. However, it is recommended that you exhale then quickly inhale when your arms are sweeping back toward your sides and while your legs are sweeping back together. This is when the body reaches its highest point in the water, thus clearing the face completely from the surface of the water and making it the optimum time to breathe.
Coordination
The stroke movement occurs in three counts (recovery, catch, power). Begin the arm pull (recovery). Near the finish of the pull, flex your knees to a 90 degree angle. The arm pull counteracts the resistance created by the knees. Kick out your legs, and squeeze them together as the arm pull is completed (catch, power). Glide through the water for 1 to 3 seconds or until your forward momentum decreases, then begin the next stroke as your momentum slows.
Abandon Ship Technique
Place your hands on their opposite shoulders, forming a crisscross pattern. Step to the edge of the platform and check the water below for debris or personnel. DO NOT hold your nose as you abandon ship. If you do hold your nose, the force of impact into the water could jar your arm and hand and cause you to break your nose. Step off the side of the platform with a 30-inch stride. DO NOT LOOK DOWN AT THE WATER. LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. Looking down at the water can render you unconscious or cause injuries upon impact. Cross your legs. Keep your head parallel to the water’s surface until hitting the water. You should remain in this position until your descent into the water has almost stopped. However, the weight imbalances in your body may cause you to be in a ―J‖ shape under the water. Once your downward motion has ceased, your feet may be parallel with the ocean bottom or you may be nearly inverted with your feet over your head. To counteract potential disorientation, you should pause briefly and allow the natural buoyancy of your torso to bring your body to a nearly upright position. Swim upward, extending one arm (hand is shaped as a fist) upward to feel for obstructions. If you encounter debris, try to push it away or surface in a different location.
Surface Burning Oil Swim
To properly execute a surface burning oil swim— Extend your arms overhead as far as possible. Wave your arms back and forth vigorously to splash a hole while moving upward. Splash as long as possible to push burning fuel away from the surfacing area. Use your arms and hands to sweep away fuel and debris. Kick your legs in a constant breast stroke kick. Extend your arms (palms outward) forward on the surface, arms shoulderwidth apart. Pull your hands in and back toward the chest. Stop your hands in front of your face and rotate them so that your palms face forward (roughly halfway out of the water). Sweep your arms forward to a full extension at the shoulder width. This splashes debris, oil, or burning liquids aside. To reduce the chance of fatigue, use two short splashes to the front to extend the path. Repeat the preceding step as necessary while swimming clear of the area.
Water Proofing your Pack
To waterproof your pack you will place all your contents into a waterproof sack, also known as a ―Willy Pete‖ bag. This will create a buoyant sack that will help you stay afloat while in the water. Your pack will act as a life preserver.
Swimming with your Pack
Body position Keep the upper part of your body prone to the water, let your legs dangle horizontally, and keep your face up. Extend your hands out in front of your waist. Sweep your arms slightly downward and back 90 degrees to propel your body through the water. Move your hands back to the front of your waist. Repeat. Continuously move your legs in a bicycle-like movement, bringing your knees up high and step out. Keep your face out of the water during the stroke, and breathe freely.
Floating With an Inflated Blouse
It is possible to float by a bubble of air trapped in the shoulders of your blouse. The air rises to the back and shoulders of the blouse and supports you at the water’s surface. An inflated blouse is also a temporary flotation device used by weaker swimmers while trying to remove their trousers. There is a primary and an alternate way to create a bubble of trapped air in a blouse—
Primary Method
Turn the collar inside the blouse to help create a seal. Unbutton top button and pull collar around mouth and nose. Take a deep breath and bend forward slightly at the waist. Exhale one-half to three-quarters of a breath into the blouse. Grasp and twist the collar with one hand to create a seal, this prevents air from escaping out from the collar. Use your free hand and feet to stroke and kick to the surface. Gather and hold the blouse tightly at the collar and stomach level to prevent the blouse from losing air if it floats up too high. Splash water on the blouse periodically to prevent the material from drying, dry material allows air to escape. Repeat inflation as required.
Alternate Method
Turn the collar inside the blouse to help create a seal. Unbutton the second button from the top. Take a deep breath and bend forward slightly at the waist.Place your mouth and nose inside the hole created by the open button and exhale one-half to three-quarters of a breath into the blouse. Grasp material at the unbutton portion and pull downward. Use your free hand and feet to stroke and kick to the surface.
Splash water on the blouse periodically to prevent the material from drying, dry material allows air to escape. Repeat inflation as required.
Floating With Inflated Trousers
In warm water, trousers can be used as a primary expedient flotation device. However, in cold water, submerging your head to remove and inflate your trousers results in heat and energy losses that negate the benefit of using the trousers as a flotation device. Once your trousers are inflated, you float motionlessly as if wearing a life preserver. If needed, assume the heat escape lessening posture to slow heat loss. As trousers dry, air leaks out of the legs. To slow this process, occasionally splash water on the fabric. Reinflate trousers as needed.
Sling Method
The sling method works if you are a strong swimmer or naturally very buoyant. Take the following steps to inflate trousers using the sling method: Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest. Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser’s fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. (The appendix illustrates various knots.) Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers above the water’s surface and behind your head. Grasp both sides of the waistband and open with both hands. Kick strongly to stay on top of the water while slinging the trousers overhead in order to trap air into them. Once the waistband is submerged in the water, air is trapped in the legs. Hold and seal the waistband underwater. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically to prevent the material
from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique known as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.
Splash Method
The splash method is an alternative to the sling method. As with the sling method, you must kick strongly to remain at the surface. To inflate trousers using the splash method, perform the following: Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest.
Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers at the water’s surface out in front of you by the waistband with the fly up. Grasp the waistband at the surface with one hand. Insert your
free hand into the waistband, palm down. Flutter your hand rapidly to create bubbles. This sends a mixture of water and air bubbles into the trousers. The water passes through the fabric. The air remains trapped in the legs. Hold and seal the waistband underwater. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically to prevent the material from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique known as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.
Blow Method
The blow method is an alternative to the sling method. Use the blow method if you are a weak swimmer. Take the following steps to inflate trousers using the blow method:Take a deep breath, bend over, and remove your boots. NOTE: Retain your boots. Tie the boot laces together and suspend the boots from your blouse or hang them around your neck so that they rest on your chest. Remove your trousers. Button or zip the trouser fly closed. This allows you to control airflow. Tie the bottoms of the trouser legs in a square knot. (The appendix illustrates various knots.) Ensure that the front (fly) of the trousers faces you. Hold the trousers at the water’s surface. Grasp both sides of the waistband and open with
both hands. Take a deep breath. Drop 2 feet below the water’s surface, pulling the waistband underwater. Hold the waistband open with both hands and blow air into the trousers. To fill the trousers with air, surface while keeping the waistband underwater, breathe in again, drop below the water’s surface, and blow air into the trousers. Repeat these steps until the trousers are filled sufficiently. Once trousers are filled— Hold the waistband underwater. Twist and pinch it off. Slip the inflated legs over your head. Hold the waistband in toward your chest, the fly facing your body. To prevent air from escaping from the trousers, seal the waistband by either folding it or twisting it. Lie back and relax, resting the back of your neck against the knot. Splash water on the trousers periodically, to prevent the material from drying. Dry material allows air to escape. To replenish air in the trousers, you will use a technique referred to as the scooping method. With one hand on the open waistband, extend the trousers in front of you just below the surface of the water and scoop air bubbles with your free hand into the open waistband until the trousers have sufficient air. Repeat as necessary.