What's involved in becoming a US Coast Guard rescue swimmer?

I've heard a lot about the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer program and it sounds intense! What kind of training and commitment does it take to become a rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard?

Becoming a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Coast Guard is indeed a very rigorous and demanding process, but very rewarding. It takes a deep commitment, physical fitness, mental endurance, and above all, a profound desire to save lives.

The first challenge is the entry-level fitness assessment, for which high levels of physical fitness are essential. The Coast Guard's physical fitness tests include swimming, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and running. A specific component for aspiring rescue swimmers, a swim circuit, involves treading water, brick retrieval, underwater swimming, buddy-tow, and other elements. Finding a training routine that can help you pass this test is crucial.

If you're successful in these tests, you can then apply to the Coast Guard's training program at the Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Here you'll undertake the Aviation Survival Technician/Rescue Swimmer school, a 24-week course that includes both classroom and physical training. The physical training is highly demanding, designed to push limits, and includes a range of underwater drills, including mask and snorkel recovery and timed gear removal. The classroom sessions cover various technical subjects including first aid and emergency medical treatment, navigation, and aircraft systems.

The attrition rate for the Rescue Swimmer School is high; it's estimated that more than 50% of the candidates do not finish the program because of its high intensity. Persistence and resilience are key attributes needed.

In addition to these requirements, you must be able to work under stressful conditions and remain calm. This job inherently comes with high-risk situations, and your ability to make sound decisions can mean the difference between life and death.

Upon completion of Rescue Swimmer School, there are additional training and qualifications that must be met throughout one's career, and regular fitness testing is conducted to ensure Rescue Swimmers remain at peak physical condition.

Finally, it's also significant to note that the commitment to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer extends beyond the physical and mental demands. There is a moral commitment to the idea of service, a willingness to put themselves in dangerous situations to save the lives of others. This is a career for those driven by a sense of duty and a desire to make a difference.