SFAS Swim test contradictions.....

[Cmndop]

First time posting, although I'm not new to the boards, I've been reading them for a few months.

Q: During the SFAS swim test, do they require you to tread water for a certain amount of time before doing the 50m swim with BDUs/boots on?

I ask this because someone down at my local recruiting station claims that he went through SFAS and when he did, they made him tread for 15 minutes, THEN do the 50m swim...AND that was after a PT test.

I've allready searched this board in and out, I've searched for "SFAS Swim", "SFAS Swim tread", "SOPC Swim", etc etc, I've read all the other threads that ask what the test consists of, but none of them talk about treading water.

I ask this because I leave for basic as an 18x recruit in June, and I have problems treading water. I can swim fine; I'm actually a strong swimmer....but I have poor form with treading water (i'm working on it though!)

I allready purched the book "Total Immersion" off of Amazon, paid for overnight shipping, and recieved it about a few hours ago right before I headed out to go for my daily run/pt/swim.

I've researched as much as I could, I even did a search on Google, and at other sites such as paratroopers.net (where I'm more active). I just can't find any info on this.

Thanks in advance for your help and time.

--Kevin

[18C4V]

Q: During the SFAS swim test, do they require you to tread water for a certain amount of time before doing the 50m swim with BDUs/boots on?

No.

I ask this because someone down at my local recruiting station claims that he went through SFAS and when he did, they made him tread for 15 minutes, THEN do the 50m swim...AND that was after a PT test.

Maybe that was done in the dark ages, but now no treading is required. Hope this helps.

[RsovRanger]

Dude... treading water is easy... nothing against ya... but wow :)

Scissors kick straight down... make downward figure 8's in the water with your arms and you'll stay up.. Even if you have negative boyancy like myself.. I float about oh.....a foot below the surface, with a full breath.

[Special Forces]

You are swim tested in SFAS, but it is not a must pass event till Phase II.

If you fail there, you will be coached for about a week and retested.

If you fail then, you are gone.

Smart people learn before they come.

TR

[Cmndop]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am swimming as much as possible before I leave in June, and I hope to get a chance to practice with BDUs/boots on.

Once again, thanks.

[bubba]

Just check the board every 15 min or so, and follow any instructions. All events are explained, and or demonstrated by cadre.

[AMMOTECH]

Originally posted by Cmndop
I hope to get a chance to practice with BDUs/boots on.



Just go to the local pool, put your shit on and jump in! I'm sure they will not mind:D

-

[cj]

Reminded me of Tuna fishing. All the guys who were poor swimmers were placed at the sides of the pool at the deep end and when they went in-and didn't surface-the tacs would pull them out with the Sheperd's Hook.:)

[merrec]

Well..I am not ARMY expert but based on USMC tradition...
Most test are NOT on a level playing field...ie, they wear your A$$ out prior to doing testing..
For example: They run you for 6 miles with a drop and do 40 push-ups on each mile ...to get to the water training facility...Now you are worn out for the testing and someone is screaming like a lunatic in your face that your a weak piece of ### and wasting everyones time...Treading water is part of the water test from my memory...In fact the water instructor keeps your mind off the water by telling jokes the whole time..I did a 1/2 hour tread...At the end of the treading we had to hold our hands out of the water and tread with feet only for I believe 2 or 5 minutes.....If the hands hit the water you were asked to leave the pool area in a not so nice manner :(
If you can't tread water...then you better FU##-ING learn to NOW!!!! Make up your mind NOW that you WILL tread water..
And visualize yourself doing it!!! Be determined to do it...But at the same time do not think of it in a bad way....think of it as a FUN thing to do in the water.... Don't waste anymore time....Go to a swimming coach and learn proper form swimming and treading....even if you can swim...a coach can fine tune your swimming so you are a more EFFICIENT swimmer....ultimately this will increase your distances in the water...
BEST WISHES
Merrec

[ussfpa]

Dude...WTF??? You need to see a counselor about some post traumatic stress or something? Appreciate your input, but it doesn't have squat ot do with the kids Q. Sounds like he did his homework, and got his Q answered

You are swim tested in SFAS, but it is not a must pass event till Phase II.

If you fail there, you will be coached for about a week and retested.

If you fail then, you are gone.

Smart people learn before they come.

USMC tradition is great and all...just didn't apply at this moment.

Primum non Nocere

[merrec]

OK...
My wrong :(
I can be a shmuck at times....start to run my mouth when it's not needed...
I just want the kid to suceed and be ready for anything that may come his way....
He mentioned he had problem with treading water..so I thought I addressed that issue...??
I will read post more closely next time ;)

Regards
Merrec

[ussfpa]

No harm, no foul...usefull info is ALWAYS welcome.

Primum non Nocere

[j5irons]

Originally posted by RsovRanger
Dude... treading water is easy... nothing against ya... but wow :)

Scissors kick straight down... make downward figure 8's in the water with your arms and you'll stay up.. Even if you have negative boyancy like myself.. I float about oh.....a foot below the surface, with a full breath.

RSOV:

I too have some difficulty treading water for long periods of time. Actually let me clarify, treading water with hands above water for long periods of time. Normally I can go forever. But do scissor kicks straight down work better than egg-beaters? Or any other form of treading, without hands.

Justin

[ussfpa]

I'm big on the egg beater technique myself...the scissor kick thing sinks me like a friggin rock. Just a technique though, as long as you don't violate the principles (ie: no drowning) whatever works ofr you is the best.

Primum non Nocere

[j5irons]

Originally posted by ussfpa
I'm big on the egg beater technique myself...the scissor kick thing sinks me like a friggin rock. Just a technique though, as long as you don't violate the principles (ie: no drowning) whatever works ofr you is the best.

Primum non Nocere

I find the egg-beater hard as hell to master. What's your secret? I can do it for say....20 seconds....then to the bottom of the pool I go.

Justin

[Cmndop]

Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

I know it's hard online, that's why I can't find a site myself, but does anyone know of one that shows some of these techniques?

Once again, thanks in advance.

[ussfpa]

Dude...
What's your secret? I
4 back to back pre-scuba's...couldn't seem to ever stay conscious on the bottom...:p
Primum non Nocere

[Special Forces]

Originally posted by Cmndop
Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

I know it's hard online, that's why I can't find a site myself, but does anyone know of one that shows some of these techniques?

Once again, thanks in advance.


Cmndop:

You have been given enough info already.

One of our pet peeves is kids who lack the motivation to do anything for themselves and seem to want it handed to them on a silver platter. Maybe one of us should come to your house, dig a pool, fill it, and teach you to swim in case you actually make it to SFAS?

Go to Google. Go to your public library. Go to your local YMCA, and learn.

Do not continue flogging this dead horse.

TR

[mike792]

CMNDOP. Reaper said it right.
Swimming is not Rocket Science. Learn the breast stroke, side stroke, and the Elementary back stroke. You can swim for a mile. I learned that in that Elite Para Military Organization. The Boy Scouts. My first mile swim I did when I was 12 or 13 can't really remember. I have CRS. Swimming with equipment will be taught by the instructors. Pay attention weed hopper Don't sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff. You will have more important shit to worry about in SFAS. Oh by the good luck if you get there.

[armybrat04]

Easy way to learn how to tread water:
Swim into the middle of a nice big river. Start treading. If ya dont tread your pretty much screwed.
Oh and one other sure fire way, swim accross a good size river and back, and when you get tired, your gunna need to learn to tread to try and save energy for the rest of the swim back.

[Drew]

Originally posted by mike792
that Elite Para Military Organization. The Boy Scouts.

Cuban accent:

"Your son is a member of an elite paramilitary organization- Eagle Scout."

Red Dawn. Awesome.

[mike792]

Yo soy absolutemente acuerdo contigo. Pero yo no quiero (plagerize a good movie) can't say that in correct Spanish.

[Drew]

Lociento Mike, je ne parle pas espagnol. Je parle seulement anglais et francais... mais "Red Dawn" est un bon film.

Wolverines!

[mike792]

SAWPAC. I am trying to learn French and Creole here in Haiti. The problem is there are no good looking long hair dictionaries here.

[NewportBarGuy]

Originally posted by mike792
SAWPAC. I am trying to learn French and Creole here in Haiti. The problem is there are no good looking long hair dictionaries here.

Take a working vacation to Southern Louisiana... There you will find many dictionaries of "equitable benefit".

[mbw]

I was browsing over at TE's site earlier today (www.specialtactics.com) and I realized someone needs to mention one safety tip: when trying to learn any new water skill, especially long distance underwater swims, drownproofing, crossovers, or swimming in clothes and boots, please swim with a partner / spotter who is life guard trained AND FAMILIAR with shallow water blackout. Do not depend on the pool life guard to stop working on his/her social life long enoug to notice you are in a disccusion with the "wizard" at the bottom of the pool. Remember that instructors at military schools are very familiar in dealing with shallow water blackout, and can get your ass out of the pool in time to get you gonig again. The lithe 105 lbs pool life gaurd may panic, or not react in time to get your big hooah body out of the water in time to keep you from permanent damage.

Sorry if this is out of line, but after reading some of the posts over specialtactics.com and seeing someone I know almost drown I thought I'd just tag this on.

Mike

[Drew]

Hey Mike,

On the topic of movies, since you are in Haiti might I suggest "The Serpent and the Rainbow". Zombification is not of "equitable benefit".

I can help out a little with the French. I just wish I could speak Spanish so I would know what my girlfriend's Venezuelan family was saying about me.

Okay, so this isn't totally off topic- If you're new to hypoxic swimming etc. go to an aquatic center type place, don't do it at the neighborhood pool. I would recommend folks certified by Ellis or STAR. In response to mbw, it's all about the training- 100 lbs. is plenty to rescue a "HOOAH" if the guards are trained correctly. Bringing a buddy would be the best idea though, I agree.

[tman]

Originally posted by Cmndop
Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

I know it's hard online, that's why I can't find a site myself, but does anyone know of one that shows some of these techniques?

Once again, thanks in advance.

specialtactics.com was mentioned earlier...it has some online video clips that show the eggbeater technique and drownproofing...it's on the home page at the bottom left hand side under "videos".

[MP18D]

U want to find someone to teach ya to tread water??? Look up a water polo player. Them kids tread water all darn day!!!!