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Swimming Test

Discussions on joining & training in the Royal Navy.
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Powder monkey
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Post by Powder monkey »

Hyperlithe wrote:Does anyone know why the Navy swimming test is 40m but the RAF aircrew swimming test is 100m? Seems the wrong way round to me...
Air crew have to be better swimmers than sailors, because it usually takes much longer to rescue an airman than it does to rescue a sailor.
This post was typed up in front of a live studio audience at pinewood studios England.
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Worthers Original
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Post by Worthers Original »

Powder monkey wrote:
Hyperlithe wrote:Does anyone know why the Navy swimming test is 40m but the RAF aircrew swimming test is 100m? Seems the wrong way round to me...
Air crew have to be better swimmers than sailors, because it usually takes much longer to rescue an airman than it does to rescue a sailor.

...yes, 60m apparently. :lol:
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voodoo sprout
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Post by voodoo sprout »

Perhaps they just want to be more selective with aircrew; while 100 metres may be best for everyone, maybe if the Navy tried it too many recruits would fail over a rather minor test (given it should be easier to train them up as necessary). Besides, it's not as if any of the other RN fitness requirements are very taxing, why break a trend? :)
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Powder monkey
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Post by Powder monkey »

Worthers Original wrote:
Powder monkey wrote:
Hyperlithe wrote:Does anyone know why the Navy swimming test is 40m but the RAF aircrew swimming test is 100m? Seems the wrong way round to me...
Air crew have to be better swimmers than sailors, because it usually takes much longer to rescue an airman than it does to rescue a sailor.

...yes, 60m apparently. :lol:
The extra 60m probably makes equates down to about 20-30 minutes of extra treading water time. Which is what you need in the worst case scenario when you bail out and are not able to find a life preserver etc.
This post was typed up in front of a live studio audience at pinewood studios England.
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Hyperlithe
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Post by Hyperlithe »

That sounds fair, I guess if a sailor's in the water there's got to be a ship nearby!
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Post by Wholley »

This goes back to the old wooden ship navy and the press gangs.
Pressed sailors were not encouraged to learn to swim as they could simply swim away from their ship when close to shore.When in harbor marines were used as regulators to stop jack from going over the side.
Some pubs had a hidey hole for escaped sailors to avoid the brutal patrols
who would attempt to scoop them up.
Two I know of,The Gun and The Black Swan in the old London docks.
Wholley.
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Colin
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Post by Colin »

I believe that the RN only needs you to be able to swim to a life raft or preserver. Lets face it, if you sink in the middle of the South Atlantic, being able to swim a great distance is probably not going to save you providing you survive the cold.
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HotShot
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Post by HotShot »

Don't keep moving ur legs, but keep your arms at a gentle rate. Just give 1 push with the legs to get you up, wait 'til your bottom lip touches the water, and then kick again. Uses alot less energy :)
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