Aircrew Swimming

maverick_412 · Post by **maverick_412** » Sun 08 Jul, 2007 6:16 pm

Hi all,

OASC is rapidly approaching now, my fitness is up, ive boggled my mind with god knows how many speed distance times and read more current affiars than i care to mention.

But, im not the strongest swimmer, and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to what the RAF Swimming test consists of, and if it is a pass/fail test, or whether you get the chance to retake it sometime between OASC and IOT?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Hyperlithe · Post by **Hyperlithe** » Mon 09 Jul, 2007 2:08 pm

100m (4 lengths) in a flying suit, tread water for 2 mins, get yourself out of the pool. (Water level is about a foot below the side.)

No idea if you can retake it between, they hadn't even introduced it when I joined up!

rawli · Post by **rawli** » Tue 10 Jul, 2007 11:30 am

You'll undertake the swim test at either your familiaristion or within the first couple of weeks of IOT. If you fail then you will have to take remedial swimming lessons until you can pass the test but you have a large chunk of IOT to do this so I wouldn't worry.

maverick_412 · Post by **maverick_412** » Wed 11 Jul, 2007 6:15 pm

But in the 2007 OASC guide, it says the swimming test takes place same time as fitness testing??

Hyperlithe · Post by **Hyperlithe** » Thu 12 Jul, 2007 2:46 pm

I think they do it at OASC now, but I'd have to check with Cranwell. But it's not particularly strenuous, a couple of my lads were weak swimmers, and they passed it. They still went for remedial swimming lessons at 6am most days though.

Skiddywinks · Post by **Skiddywinks** » Fri 13 Jul, 2007 7:09 pm

So how heavy/bulky/restricting are the flight suits then?

rawli · Post by **rawli** » Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:51 pm

They just add a bit of resistance that's all. If you can't cope with it from the physical side then I would suggest that you may struggle with the phys of IOT.

Skiddywinks · Post by **Skiddywinks** » Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:55 pm

IOT? I can run the 1.5 miles in less than the needed time, and I'm far from a bad swimmer. Not amazing, but better than enough I should think.

Are there any other physicals you have to pass? Up until now I only knew about the running one!

I can't see me struggling with the Swimming test really, was just curious about the flight suit is all.

Hyperlithe · Post by **Hyperlithe** » Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:59 pm

They just slow you down, and the velcro on half of them doesn't stay done up. Best bet is to just take your time, not wear yourself out trying to do the lengths fast. Front crawl is not a good stroke to attempt, cos of the extra effort of lifting the soggy sleeves out of the water!

Rogue Chef · Post by **Rogue Chef** » Sat 14 Jul, 2007 3:27 am

What stroke would you recommend?

rawli · Post by **rawli** » Sat 14 Jul, 2007 5:17 pm

I find breaststroke a winner, its slower but that dosn't matter and you'll get there with more than enough energy to spare.

harry hackedoff · Post by **harry hackedoff** » Sat 14 Jul, 2007 5:42 pm

What stroke would you recommend?

Vinegar

Rogue Chef · Post by **Rogue Chef** » Sun 15 Jul, 2007 8:10 am

Rawli and HH,
Thanks for your input but I was asking Hyperlithe.

So Hyperlithe, which is it? Breast or vinegar?

Hyperlithe · Post by **Hyperlithe** » Sun 15 Jul, 2007 11:44 am

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