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Aircrew Swimming
Posted: Sun 08 Jul, 2007 6:16 pm
by maverick_412
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.
Posted: Mon 09 Jul, 2007 2:08 pm
by Hyperlithe
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!
Posted: Tue 10 Jul, 2007 11:30 am
by rawli
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.
Posted: Wed 11 Jul, 2007 6:15 pm
by maverick_412
But in the 2007 OASC guide, it says the swimming test takes place same time as fitness testing??
Posted: Thu 12 Jul, 2007 2:46 pm
by Hyperlithe
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.
Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2007 7:09 pm
by Skiddywinks
So how heavy/bulky/restricting are the flight suits then?
Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:51 pm
by rawli
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.
Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:55 pm
by Skiddywinks
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.
Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2007 8:59 pm
by Hyperlithe
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!
Posted: Sat 14 Jul, 2007 3:27 am
by Rogue Chef
What stroke would you recommend?
Posted: Sat 14 Jul, 2007 5:17 pm
by rawli
I find breaststroke a winner, its slower but that dosn't matter and you'll get there with more than enough energy to spare.
Posted: Sat 14 Jul, 2007 5:42 pm
by harry hackedoff
What stroke would you recommend?
Vinegar
Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2007 8:10 am
by Rogue Chef
Rawli and HH,
Thanks for your input but I was asking Hyperlithe.
So Hyperlithe, which is it? Breast or vinegar?
Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2007 11:44 am
by Hyperlithe
