Swim Requirements

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ACB1234

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I've seen a couple different things about the swab summer swimming requirements. What is the test like and what are the requirements?

Thank you!
 
It's been a minute now, but unless it's changed, it's largely just an evaluation of your swimming ability. Everyone takes a swimming class during 4/c year, but there's a more fundamentals-level class offered for those who struggle with swimming a little bit more. Additionally, you'll learn some basic survival at sea skills such as getting into survival suits and the proper way to abandon ship. They want you to have at least a little knowledge of that type of thing before you get underway on Eagle.
 
I think you jump off a diving board too, maybe about 5 to 10 feet high. @ekb1398 nailed the general answer. I would just add that during 4/c year I think you have a mandatory PE class that is essentially Red Cross Lifeguarding, so having at least average swimming skills will help both in Swab summer and during freshman (4/c) year.
 
If you do well during swim test you validate swim for 4/c. If you fail, you will be placed in what remedial swim. 3/c year you take a life guarding class. Swab test is 4 laps and approx 5 min tread.
 
Haveaniceday said:
I think you jump off a diving board too, maybe about 5 to 10 feet high. @ekb1398 nailed the general answer. I would just add that during 4/c year I think you have a mandatory PE class that is essentially Red Cross Lifeguarding, so having at least average swimming skills will help both in Swab summer and during freshman (4/c) year.
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You're correct, it's about 10 feet - that's what I was refencing with teaching you to abandon ship, but I wasn't very clear. Lifeguarding is 3/c year as well - 4/c year is just regular swimming.
 
ACB1234 said:
I've seen a couple different things about the swab summer swimming requirements. What is the test like and what are the requirements?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
The Swabs take a preliminary swim class over the course of the summer. It’s “Survival at Sea” and is designed to make sure the Swabs won’t fall off the Eagle and drown.

Yes, there’s a swim test before the course, but the swim instructors evaluate the Swabs throughout the course and decide on what class they’ll be in come the fall or spring semester. The last class was really enjoyable! We swam in the Thames River, and it was a really fun class.

The Swabs must be able to float, tread water for five-to-fifteen minutes, and jump off a diving bord that’s 10 meters(?) high. My numbers might be off, but that’s a rough estimate.

I was in normal swim this past semester, and it really is just a gym class. I take rescue swim some time next year, which will be more intense. My one friend was in developmental swim (rock swim), and he’s been in swim the entire semester. Some cadets come in not knowing how to swim whatsoever; one having been my cadre, apparently, and she’s thriving as a cadet. She was even one of the cadet lifeguards for my platoon.

Don’t stress about it! If you’re able to pass the PFE, you’ll be able to learn to swim.
 
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