Continued physical fitness training is required. Received a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The standard fitness tests in the military are basically health and wellness tests. Coast Guard/Getty Images. Calling them rescue swimmers would be a lot easier of course, theres little thats easy when it comes to the Coast Guards most elite unit. Ben Cournia, the swimmer who orchestrated the rescue of the Minouche, started his class with 9 trainees. Ask your recruiter about the Annex-X Program if interested in the AST rate! The Coast Guard also requires new recruits to complete the ASVAB test to determine a USCG rating. What was more challenging than the sea state was the night conditions and water current, said Roberts, a Utah native who has served in the Coast Guard for eight years. Upon graduation, Navy rescue swimmers are assigned to their respective A School and have other requirements they need to complete. In addition to its responsibilities to the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard also provides maritime law enforcement. Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. This can be everything from rescuing people from a boat in the middle of a hurricane, to assisting with medical evacuations far out at sea. She was nominated by the International Maritime Organization for its Exceptional Bravery at Sea award for rescuing three people from a sailboat during a storm with 45-knot winds and 15-foot seas. Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Capabilities: The RS must have the mental capacity, flexibility, mobility, strength, power, agility, endurance, and equipment to function for at least 30 minutes in heavy seas, on unstable platforms, on rugged terrain during severe adverse weather conditions. The last stop for a Navy rescue swimmer is SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape). Now the Navy has over 30 female rescue swimmers. The good news is that the Coast Guard gives you time to train physically for service. After arriving to their respective squadrons, Aviation Rescue Swimmers are required annually to perform a SAR fitness test. But this is perhaps the most crucial part of the training; if these candidates can't endure extreme conditions, it's going to be hard to rescue someone in distress. They are trained as combatants and paramedics, operating on air, sea, and land, and are considered, along with Air Force combat controllers, among the most elite of the U.S. military's Special Operations forces. However, the training sessions are still highly controlled and closely monitored. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Coast Guard Aviation Technical Training Center, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, "Coast Guard School Tough Swimming, Few Pass Rescue Course", IMO Awards for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2013 go to American rescuers and a Chinese seafarer, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aviation_Survival_Technician&oldid=1125439053, This page was last edited on 4 December 2022, at 00:54. The premier helicopter-rescue training allows ASTs to interact with rescue swimmers from the other branches of the U.S. Military. The rescue swimmers for this emergency were Stuart Sterzel and Garth Eloff, both former special operators from Special Forces. As a result, its a very competitive branch to join when compared to the much larger Navy and Army. The focus is to run shorter and faster runs in the week and a long, slower run at a comfortable pace on the weekend. Coast Guard basic training (or boot camp) lasts eight weeks. Which rating a rescue swimmer attains depends on what type of helicopter they are to become qualified in. in Accounting and is a graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. Full qualification as a rescue swimmer can take up to a year from graduation of A-School, as graduates must learn the aircraft systems and emergency procedures of their assigned aircraft. Welcome to the hazardous, high-pressure world of Coast Guard rescue swimmers, who are trained to jump from helicopters into the water to save lives. Click Here to learn more about the Coast Guard PT test standards. Once located, he was extracted from the water in a flawless marine rescue. Even though the choppers had arrived in time to rescue plenty of the men, 31 died. He was good but very cold, said Roberts. To qualify for Rescue Swimmer Training, both men and women must: Meet specific eyesight requirements: uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100; correctable to 20/20 in both eyes with normal depth and color perception. The attrition rate in some years has been as high as 85%, although the 10-year average is just over 73%. This highly specialized position is extremely challenging. AST School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina lasts for 24 weeks, and includes intense physical fitness, long hours of pool fitness and instruction, extreme water-confidence drills, and classroom instruction. From innovations in unmanned aircraft to the age-old rescue swimmer program, this division of 711 is responsible for some of the most unique aspects of Coast Guard aviation. There are two FRS's for AWS's. During war, they rescue downed pilots, special-operations troops left behind, and other stranded military men and women. Officially, theyre called Aviation Survival Technicianswhich is a mouthful. [citation needed]. Interested in Building Up Mileage? The U.S. Coast Guard requires you to meet these minimum physical fitness requirements before you graduate boot camp: And these physical fitness requirements are for females: The Coast Guard has demanding physical fitness requirements because of the degree of difficulty being in dangerous waters. The U.S. Coast Guard is not the only branch of the U.S. Military that has its own rescue swimmers. Before joining the United States Navy to become an Aviation Rescue Swimmer, you must first pass certain physical and mental tests. If you would like to pursue the specialized unit, making yourself aware of the intense training and schooling is step one toward becoming a fully-qualified, recognized member. However, you will need to remain patient as training is long and intensive. During Hurricane Katrina, Faulkner rescued 48 people during one 12-hour shift, along with many others during rescue operations on subsequent shifts. Swimmers will get pushed to their limits, showing survival skills while holding breath underwater and dealing with powerful water that can include waves as high as 10 to 20 feet. To become a Surface Rescue Swimmer you must be able to perform physically. 'A' school is followed by a seven-week EMT course. Additionally, the USCG has over 8,500 full-time civilian employees and 7,000 Reservists. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. In addition to EMT training, ASTs are required to attend a one-week Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS) at a station in Washington. Finally, before graduating, candidates are required to pass a test involving multiple rescue scenarios. They are expected to be able to function swimming in heavy seas for up to 30 minutes at a time, and provide first aid, including CPR, while in the ocean. For comparison, the attrition rate for United States Navy SEAL selection and training is about 75%[1]. Meet the minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score: VE+AR+MK+MC=210 or VE+AR+MK+AS=210. Visit the Recognizing DHS Excellence page for more stories about this years awardees. The Coast Guard's rescue swimmer training school has one of the highest student attrition rates of any special operations school in the military. When you arrive at the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer School in Elizabeth City, N.C., you will be expected to excel in one of the most stressful environments in military training. In order to join the Coast Guard reserve, you will need a minimum AFQT score of 40 on the ASVAB. In 2014, a state of the art training center was opened under the command of the Aviation Technical Training Center aboard BASE Elizabeth City, NC and houses AST "A" School as well as Underwater Egress "C" School. 33.0 (150) I - Buoyant Foam or Kapok. It is possible to get through your training program with running only a few days a week, but your risk future injury. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. The team is currently composed of approximately 350 active-duty members. In the JCG, divers (, Sensui-shi) have been conducting public safety diving. An approximate 75-100 attend training for the team each year and some progress to become specialists of the unit. All Rights Reserved. It is little surprise that they must represent the best swimmers the U.S. Military has to offer as they deal with high seas and other challenging environments. It is a risky and challenging job, yet also comes with the opportunity to save lives. However, 17-year-old recruits will require parental consent Do you have more questions about joining the U.S. Coast Guard as an Aviation Survival Technicians (AST)/Helicopter Rescue Swimmer? Currently assigned to Helicopter SeaCombat Squadron 28, Gibson is the only female Senior Chief in the Navy and serves HSC-28 as the Leading Chief Petty Officer. All ASTs must be in superior physical shape with no chronic orthopedic problems, possess a high level of mental acuity and outstanding military bearing. At-sea interdictions of pure cocaine are the most effective way for the Coast Guard to limit cartels and other criminal networks from trafficking their entire spectrum of illicit products. Your email address will not be published. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. It averages to about $18 per hour. It's definitely not a job for the faint of heart. In fact, it has the highest failure to complete rate of any military branch (yes, even over the Marine Corps). The first few weeks of boot camp are especially difficult. Rescue swimmers usually are charged with the rescue, assessment, and rendering of medical aid to persons in distress in the sea, on the land, or in the air. All Rights Reserved. The Coast Guard requirements make sure that you are physically and mentally prepared for service. Coast Guard helicopters arrived at the scene and lowered baskets for the survivors. Romeos and Sierras break apart during 'A' school and they begin to learn more specific parts of their jobs. An aptitude for mechanics as well as school courses in algebra, geometry, and machinery are very helpful. While serving as Helicopter Rescue Swimmers, ASTs may find themselves deployed into a myriad of challenging scenarios ranging from hurricanes and cliff rescues to emergency medical evacuations from ships at sea. The rescue swimmer training program has a high student attrition rate averaging in the 80% range, similar to many special operations forces selection courses.[2]. The success of the rescue was credited to the rescue rehearsal carried out on the day before the event, which was also televised worldwide as it happened. Read more about the deadliest American maritime disaster in decades: Watch: Into the Storm: What It Was Like to Rescue a Ship's Crew, The Real-Life Diet of Pro Surfer Nathan Florence, Who Runs on Raw Fish, 17 Streamlined Workout Shorts for Men That Look Pretty Great Beyond the Gym, Too. 34,767 views Nov 27, 2020 Want to know all about the U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers? A third standby rescue swimmer was John Brokaar, also a former special operator from Special Forces. Set Your Fitness Goals to Become a Military Asset, Practicing Mindfulness the Marine Corps Way Leads to Mental Resilience, Ask Stew: How to Become a Faster Runner When Time Is Tight. 160th SOAR(A) has had personnel complete the course. PJs are an elite special operations component, engaging in combat search and rescue. In fact, the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force also have their own rescue teams. This is what it takes to get a job where you come close to drowning in order to save people who actually are. The Coast Guard recommends a workout plan that includes cardio along with muscular fitness, strength, and flexibility training. 500-meter full gear swim, followed by a 400-meter buddy tow in 26 minutes or less, 400 meter swim in 11 min (Free style, Side Stroke, or Breast Stroke), This page was last edited on 6 October 2022, at 06:03. [2] If you have been motivated by the heroics played live on your television set or movie screens to think about becoming aCoast Guard Rescue Swimmer, be prepared. U.S. Navy Support. The station is host to Air Force pararescuemen, which provides candidates the opportunity to interact with pararescuemen as well as Navy rescue swimmers. What can you expect in terms of training and schooling to become an Aviation Survival Technician (AST)/Helicopter Rescue team member? Roberts attributes the immersion suit the gentleman was wearing as the reason he had not become hypothermic yet. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has its own unit of rescue swimmers as well. Stuart Sterzel was also the CEO of Webtel.mobi, the company staging the event. According to CareerBliss, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers make about $38,000 per year. Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR TECHs) serve as rescue swimmers. Standards for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers The required monthly physical training fitness regimen includes a 12-minute crawl swim of 500 yards or longer, a 25-yard underwater swim, and a 200-yard buddy tow. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Coast Guard requirements are necessary to make sure that new recruits are ready for service. I swam over to him, got on the door with him or what looked like a door or some sort of debris from the boat and talked to him, Roberts continued. 200 yards (Rescue swimmers shall use the cross-chest carry or equipment tow.). And this is from a pool of candidates of Coast Guard personnel who are conditioned to be able to swim well. Most rescue swimmers in Denmark are Danish Air Force personnel from the Danish Transport and Rescue Squadron (Squadron 722 or in Danish Eskadrille 722), and operate from AgustaWestland EH101 helicopters. It was reported that in the first five days following Katrina, Coast Guard crews performed more than 33,500 rescue and hoist operations of Katrina victims stranded on rooftops and in flood water. This is not an ordinary EMT. Coast Guard basic training takes place in New Jersey. The 70-year-old and Roberts were hoisted into the helicopter together and the gentleman was able to warm up on the 10-15 minute transit to Ketchikan. While Katrina brought domestic and international news coverage to Coast Guard rescue swimmers and their crews, their story was first shown on television in a series of 1999 specials on Discovery Channel, Coast Guard: Rescue Swimmers and Coast Guard: Helicopters to the Rescue. As an elite Coast Guard rescue swimmer, . [2] Prospective U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers are physically conditioned to meet high physical fitness standards. Its the purpose enshrined in their motto: So others may live. For the sake of future victims as well as the swimmers own good, only the most prepared are allowed to do the job. The U.S. Coast Guard also participates in critical search and rescue missions at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard pays well for your services. Whether in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or any of the many Coast Guard Air Stations within the continental United States, ASTs train year-round to prepare mentally and physically for the challenges they may face as Helicopter Rescue Swimmers. When you arrive at the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer School in Elizabeth City, N.C., you will be expected to excel in one of the most stressful environments in military training. Watch the video of the rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard utilizes these basic requirements for its initial screening. There are nearly 41,000 active-duty members of the Coast Guard and an additional 7,000 Reservists. Not cocky. ), An aptitude for mechanics, with a focus on school courses like algebra, geometry, and machinery being helpful, 25 Yard Underwater swim: Completed 4 times. Try This Military Swim Workout to Prepare for Special Ops, Diver or Rescue Swimmer Training. Therefore, its crucial to study hard for the ASVAB and give it your maximum attention. 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