Navy Rescue Swimmer Dads

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Comment by Brad on February 24, 2009 at 4:26pm

My son Garrett, just graduated from SERE in California. As some of you know that's not a lot of fun, but all airborne need to go through it. He did fine and now is waiting for his flight to Japan to serve with the HS-14 Chargers as AW/Rescue Swimmer with the USS George Washington. He flys out Thursday morning, and he expects to be out there between 2 and 3 years until the GW comes back to San Deigo in the cycle to get new Helo's, etc. It was great to pin the Wings, but now it will be tough to have him call saying goodby for a long time far away. I know he is excited about his adventure and is looking forward to finally using all the training for the past two years in the fleet and hopefully save those who he looks up to fighting for his freedom.

Comment by Brad on January 28, 2009 at 10:04pm

Brian, Congratulations to you and your son for that was a hugh accomplishment!! He is a part of a fantastic group of men that make us all proud. Has he picked his orders yet. Garrett had to select before the end and chose HS-10 in SanDeigo. He could have picked any other HSC, etc. but he was good at sonar and thought he would be able to be used best that way. I went out to pin his "wings" last month when he graduated to get ready for fleet duty. Next is SERE on Feb 8 then on to Japan at the end of Feb to be with HS-14.

You should be very proud of your son completing a very difficult program. All the best to him and let me know what he selects next!!

Comment by Brian on January 24, 2009 at 1:57pm

Brad,

Got to go to the RSS graduation on Friday. Now they move across the base (and back to phase 1) to wait on AWS or AWR school. We think there is a shortage of AW Sierra guys but it seems to change every day. He said he does not care as long as the he can class up soon. I think he would prefer Sierra but only because the school is six weeks versus four months for Romeo. He is just ready to move on from Pensacola.

We have really enjoyed having him so close ( only 4.5 hours away) but he is ready to move on. He did say he would like to come back to Pensacola as an instructor someday. Because there are so many immature sailors...they have to keep everyone under their thumb and he is just ready to not be treated like a kid.

We got to tour the Daniel Biddle Rescue Swimmer Training center and meet some of his instructors. The graduating class got to jump out of helicopters on Thursday (with a rookie pilot) and he said he had a blast.

They took them out in boats and by twos they had to enter the water ( you know how cold it has been in P-cola) and were lifted into helicopter. The crew chiefs explained that you will get two jumps - one hovering from about 10 feet and another from 15 feet going 10 mph. The first one went as planned but on the second one he said they were going over 10 mph and climbing and the chief said go and he was about 20 feet +......on that one he said "I lost my form" and hit on his side. But even with landing incorrectly and the cold water - he had a lot of fun. Once I get his camera back home I will post the pics and videos.

Hope your sailor is doing well...

Brian

Comment by Brad on January 16, 2009 at 7:54am

Thank you for that great post!! Very good run down on what is involved to become a Rescue Swimmer. This is an intense program for sure. We are all pround of those who get through it an serve at such a high level.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on January 14, 2009 at 7:46pm

Thought you guys might find this interesting....

Making the Grade as a Navy Rescue Swimmer
Story Number: NNS090114-05
Release Date: 1/14/2009 10:59:00 AM


By Clark Pierce, Jax Air News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Rescue Swimmer School (RSS) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) provides rigorous training and significantly contributes to fleet readiness.

"The U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer School (RSS) at NAS Jax impacts fleet readiness virtually around the world," said Lt. Thomas Doane, officer in charge. "Our classes are filled with Sailors from as far away as Japan, Hawaii and San Diego – and as close as Mayport and Norfolk."

RSS teaches three courses:
• CAT 1 – a four-week course for surface (ship-borne) swimmers that teaches basic lifesaving procedures and how to use lifesaving equipment. Doane explained, "Each Navy ship is required to have two qualified rescue swimmers on board before it can pull away from the pier – so our graduates are considered 'mission essential.' Their training is centered on the J-bar davit, which is the apparatus on a ship's foc'sle that lowers and raises rescue swimmers."

• CAT II – a two-week refresher course for surface and aviation rescue swimmers whose careers took them away from the water for more than a year. "Before they can come back to fill that billet again, we outfit them, make sure they're physically fit, and run them through any updated procedures," said Doane.

• Aviation SAR (search and rescue) Petty Officer Course teaches senior enlisted how to plan and document training and evaluations of rescue swimmers in their helicopter squadron or wing.

Senior Chief Naval Air Crewman (AW/NAC) Bruce Kane, leading chief petty officer, noted that after graduating from RSS, rescue swimmers must complete a swimmer fitness test (SFT) every six months to evaluate their medical and equipment knowledge, as well as in-water performance.

"For surface rescue swimmers, the SFT consists of four pull-ups, a 500-meter equipment swim and a 400-meter buddy tow in 27 minutes or less," said Kane.

The SFT for aviation rescue swimmers consists of four pull-ups, but adds a carry of two 55-pound dumbbells over obstacles for 100 feet, a one-mile litter walk (completed within 16.5 minutes), followed by the 500-meter equipment swim and a 400-meter buddy tow in 27 minutes or less.

Naval Air Crewman 1st Class William Davis, an instructor, said, "Rescue swimmers must be CPR-current and able to evaluate victims and provide first aid treatment. Students must also perform a rescue of an individual in the water who is entangled with parachutes and other aviation gear. The school has a tower platform by the pool with two J-bars. Depending on the sea state, the rescue swimmer may also deploy a small rigid-hull inflatable boat."

This particular day of the four-week school featured training scenario one, where students learn to rescue two survivors in the water.

"A lot of instruction goes on in the pool," said Chief Naval Air Crewman Daniel Wilson. "This drill will be practiced at least four times. Up until this point, we've taught them about a lot of lifesaving tactics, techniques and equipment. Today they're putting it all together to effect a multiple-survivors rescue."

There is a grade sheet for each student, for each scenario. The instructor in the water will debrief each student, reinforcing what went right and what needs improvement, and then assign a grade of one to four, with one being the highest.

Ens. Adam Niznik, a supply officer aboard the Mayport-based cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007 and applied to the rescue swimmer school.

"I played football and rugby at the academy, so I like physical challenges – and this school is an extreme challenge. Since it's rare for officers to attend this school, the rescue swimmers aboard my ship warned me that I would probably be designated the class leader. That means when I violate a procedure – I get yelled at. And when somebody in our class messes up – I get yelled at.

"We do evening study groups at the BEQ because the curriculum calls for lots of time in the pool practicing rescue procedures under various scenarios. Near the end of week three, our instructors put us on the bus and drove to the NAS Jax Boathouse where we boarded a SAR vessel for an afternoon and into-the-night evolution of real-water training in the St. Johns River. It was great to get out of the classroom and apply what we've learned in an unfamiliar body of water," said Niznik.

Seaman Justan Mounts of Rogersville, Tenn. is a member of the USS Philippine Sea deck division. He requested RSS for its unusual athletic challenge.

"I attended dive school in Panama City, Fla. and am scuba qualified – so I knew there would be a lot of physical training. This is a great program –I really love it.

"RSS is focused on a Sailor's ability to swim for an extended period of time and to save a survivor. It requires both endurance and sprint swimming. Accomplishing a 500-meter swim – followed immediately with a 400-meter buddy swim requires a lot of physicality. That's why each day begins with two hours of standard military physical training. At chow time, we tend to eat more protein and carbohydrates to keep our energy up. Throughout the day, we drink a ton of water–from bottles, not the pool," explained Mounts.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Benito Martinez, also an instructor, continuously stresses the need for swimmers to perform according to instruction and to be fast and efficient – because rough water and low temperatures can sap a swimmer of his or her energy.

"We build knowledge and skills," said Martinez. "The final exam is composed of scenarios from their four weeks of training – with a few more distractions thrown in, such as bigger splashes and some fog rolling in over the pool. Everything here is pass or fail – there is no middle ground."

For more news from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasjax/.

Comment by Brad on January 9, 2009 at 7:00pm

Brian,
Congrats to you and your son for being eligible for RSS and completingweek 4. A daunting task acheived with more to come. I look forward to hearing about Conrad and his activityies so far.

Brad

Comment by Brian on January 9, 2009 at 10:47am

Brad,

Looks like it is "just us" in this group. My son Conrad is in week four of RSS and if all goes well will graduate on the 23 Jan. Your pics look great and I look forward to prompting you for info.

Thanks, Brian

Comment by Brad on December 21, 2008 at 2:14pm

On December 11, 2008 my son graduated from FRAC school with HS10 in San Diego. I had the privilege of pinning his gold "wings" completing the almost 2 year process of becomming a Rescue Swimmer and AW sonar operator involving the SH60F helicopters and be considered Airborn Aircrewman ready for the fleet. Please see my album showing pictures from that special time. This is what you can look forward to!!

Comment by Brad on October 31, 2008 at 9:26am

This grup has been started to allow dads of the Navy whose children have chosen the Rescue Swimmer rating and many also choosing Aviation Warfare rating to serve the United States Of America. The men and women who go through the RSS program will or have accomplished much in the process. Hopefully we can share things that have happened, guide those who are going through RSS in Pensacola, and encourage/support all who are dads of children that have taken up this challenging rating. We also can show our support and brag on our sailor along the way. I encourage you to participate as much as possible.

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