Drown Proofing?

StayingPositive

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Oct 26, 2013
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So, I'm pretty sure i'll be going to usna, but I am not really the best swimmer around. I can certainly hold my own but not by much. So just a quick question, do they drown proof the midshipmen at usna? For those who don't know, drown-proofing is a teaching method when they tie your hands together and your feet together, and put you in the pool. then you basically have to bob up and down for a required amount of time in the deep end. A lot tougher than it sounds..
 
Hire a private indoor swim instructor. This will serve you well, especially if you are considering aviation. You have plenty of time.
 
Nope, unless you're planning on going SEAL/EOD. Otherwise you won't need this skill at the academy.

Swimming during PS entails 7-8 lessons that are an hour long. They teach dead-mans float (i.e. floating with your face down), introduction to different strokes, a 10m jump (I think... we didn't do it in our plebe summer), and a "final" where you have to swim for like 10 minutes straight. I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as you can tread water and swim a couple of laps, you'll be fine.
 
I heard its possible to validate swimming. Is that true? Also what does swimming validation entail? Just wondering because I'm a varsity swimmer and I've done quite while at the high school level.
 
I saw a video on YouTube where you have to swim fully clothed for something like 40 minutes and a certain distance. I forget the exact figures but I'm sure you could find it.


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I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as you can tread water and swim a couple of laps, you'll be fine.


FALSE FALSE FALSE


Neunsis is correct.
4/C: 200m, elementary back, breaststroke
3/C: 400m, sidestroke
2/C: 30 minute swim in khakis


You can see these are strokes, not treading water!!!!! It is also 2/3 of your fitness grade, which goes into your rankings.
YOU WILL LEARN...but do you want to learn under the stress of plebe year, in the middle of Dark Ages, while trying to pass your proknowledge test, play on your sports team, and and figure out Chem2????? The answer? NOPE!

You must learn these. Please listen to 2018midmom and hire an instructor and learn over summer regardless of your branch.

This is my number one piece of advice for getting ready for plebe year.
 
FALSE FALSE FALSE


Neunsis is correct.
4/C: 200m, elementary back, breaststroke
3/C: 400m, sidestroke
2/C: 30 minute swim in khakis


You can see these are strokes, not treading water!!!!! It is also 2/3 of your fitness grade, which goes into your rankings.
YOU WILL LEARN...but do you want to learn under the stress of plebe year, in the middle of Dark Ages, while trying to pass your proknowledge test, play on your sports team, and and figure out Chem2????? The answer? NOPE!

You must learn these. Please listen to 2018midmom and hire an instructor and learn over summer regardless of your branch.

This is my number one piece of advice for getting ready for plebe year.

The best advice you will ever get!
 
Definitely do your best to not be deficient. In anything.

It sucks.

For everyone, not just plebes.
 
Thanks for the endorsement Vista. 3rd gen USNA and I know you don't want to learn this at the Academy. It's one less thing to worry about and is a requirement throughout Naval service. 25 years later and hubby still must meet mins yearly. This is probably better time spent then learning how the cow is.
 
FALSE FALSE FALSE


Neunsis is correct.
4/C: 200m, elementary back, breaststroke
3/C: 400m, sidestroke
2/C: 30 minute swim in khakis


You can see these are strokes, not treading water!!!!! It is also 2/3 of your fitness grade, which goes into your rankings.
YOU WILL LEARN...but do you want to learn under the stress of plebe year, in the middle of Dark Ages, while trying to pass your proknowledge test, play on your sports team, and and figure out Chem2????? The answer? NOPE!

You must learn these. Please listen to 2018midmom and hire an instructor and learn over summer regardless of your branch.

This is my number one piece of advice for getting ready for plebe year.

I was referring to the difficulty of plebe summer swimming. Please reread my post.

The swimming requirements are easy and not at all intimidating. There's tons of extra instruction you can go to, and you can go to the swim class during any offperiods you have. To the OP: If you're looking to validate swimming (which about 1 in 3 do), or get an A, then by all means spend your money and hire a personal trainer. IMO you don't need it. You'll learn. Unless, of course, you've never stepped into a pool before in your life.

Swimming does account for 2/3 of your physical education for Spring 4/C, Fall 3/C, and Fall 2/C years. However, your PE grade is only a small part of your OOM.
http://www.usna.edu/Academics/_files/documents/OOM.pdf#search=order of merit
 
I heard its possible to validate swimming. Is that true? Also what does swimming validation entail? Just wondering because I'm a varsity swimmer and I've done quite while at the high school level.

You'll go to class on the first day and take a validation test. Everyone takes the validation test. For 4/C, it's 200m under somewhere like 3:30. For 3/C, it's 400m around the 8:30 mark. Also you have to jump 5m and 10m for the 4/C and 3/C validation, respectively. As a swimmer you shouldn't have any difficulty with it. You validate and get that period free for the rest of the semester.
 
Te swimming requirements are easy and not at all intimidating. There's tons of extra instruction you can go to, and you can go to the swim class during any offperiods you have. ]

Swimming is intimidating to some.

This advice is for people who, though they can tread water and get Safely across a pool, can't accurately do the specific stroke, yes you can go during your off period to get extra help. In fact you will not only have to but your company mates will even give up their off periods to help you...And give up anything else you and they could do like studying, sneaking a nap, getting help with a class, working out-really any nuber of a million things you wished you had that period for. Plebe year does not allow for the luxury of extra time. You won't want to spend it on learning an accurate backstroke.

Seriously!
 
Maybe I heard the incorrect information from someone, but didn't they get rid of the "40 year" swim? I heard it changed. According to the link it still says 40 minutes and 1,000m minimum.

The first time you enter the pool should not be plebe summer. However, as others have eluded to, you don't have to be on a swim team (though, it sure helps) to do well.
 
Maybe I heard the incorrect information from someone, but didn't they get rid of the "40 year" swim? I heard it changed. According to the link it still says 40 minutes and 1,000m minimum.

My year it became the "30 year," but for the life of me I can't remember if the distance changed/how much.

Swimming was the worst hour of my week, every week, every semester I had swimming. Jumping off of the 10m was the only 100% I got in swimming through all four years. I did okay, not great, but just hated life the entire time.
It would behoove you to be a decent swimmer--not necessarily fast, but comfortable in the water and familiar with different strokes--coming in. It'll just make things easier.
 
Interesting input from everyone, thanks. Seems like what I lack in running skills I'll make up in swimming. Finally, a place swimming is appreciated!! :yay:
 
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