Ask a Naval Aircrewman

[Gremmin]

Has anyone on this forum been through the rescue swimmer program? I've got some questions about that.

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by Gremmin

Has anyone on this forum been through the rescue swimmer program? I've got some questions about that.

There are no helo guys on here that I'm aware of... but I've got some 2nd-hand knowledge of what goes on at RSS from the AWR's I know who went through it. What are you interested in knowing?

[Gremmin]

I've been trying to research but really haven't come up with clear answers.
Does everyone on helo's that are on the boats have to go through rss, or only people designated as rescue swimmers.

I don't feel like I will have a problem with NACCS but because of my size I don't know how well I will do with RSS. So I was wondering if anyone had seen smaller guys go through it without problems.

I'm not even sure if I will be going to it since I am still waiting to go to meps and my recruiter isn't giving me any info on when I will be able to go because of the male lock out.

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by Gremmin

I've been trying to research but really haven't come up with clear answers.
Does everyone on helo's that are on the boats have to go through rss, or only people designated as rescue swimmers.

I don't feel like I will have a problem with NACCS but because of my size I don't know how well I will do with RSS. So I was wondering if anyone had seen smaller guys go through it without problems.

I'm not even sure if I will be going to it since I am still waiting to go to meps and my recruiter isn't giving me any info on when I will be able to go because of the male lock out.

Everyone on the H-60 platform (Be it AWR's on the MH-60R Seahawk or AWS's on the MH-60S Knighthawk) are also designated as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer and have to go through NACCS and RSS. AWS's on the MH-53E Sea Dragon are not Aviation Rescue Swimmers and only have to go through NACCS... these are the guys you'll hear referred to as AWS "Dry".

One of the AWR's in my A School class was pretty short... whenever anyone teased him about it, his reply was that he'd be the only guy without back problems in 6 years from having to hunch over in the back of the -60 all day. Yeah, you're going to have to do buddy-tow swims and they'll probably make you tow the biggest guy... but even if you're 5'1", it's not like you're fireman carrying someone 250lbs up a flight of stairs. You will need to make sure you're running and swimming endurance is very high though... don't expect to succeed if you're having to push yourself just to make the minimum PST scores.

[Gremmin]

Originally Posted by Haasino

Everyone on the H-60 platform (Be it AWR's on the MH-60R Seahawk or AWS's on the MH-60S Knighthawk) are also designated as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer and have to go through NACCS and RSS. AWS's on the MH-53E Sea Dragon are not Aviation Rescue Swimmers and only have to go through NACCS... these are the guys you'll hear referred to as AWS "Dry".

One of the AWR's in my A School class was pretty short... whenever anyone teased him about it, his reply was that he'd be the only guy without back problems in 6 years from having to hunch over in the back of the -60 all day. Yeah, you're going to have to do buddy-tow swims and they'll probably make you tow the biggest guy... but even if you're 5'1", it's not like you're fireman carrying someone 250lbs up a flight of stairs. You will need to make sure you're running and swimming endurance is very high though... don't expect to succeed if you're having to push yourself just to make the minimum PST scores.

Thanks, I am ok with PST scores. the thing that concerned me is that I don't weigh much so I am not sure how I will fair with buddy tows. Push ups, sit ups, and pull ups I am good on. running and swimming endurance is what I am working on now.

[Haasino]

How tall are you? Guy in my class was probably 5'6" at the tallest... he made it through alright. You'll have to work harder during the buddy tow evolutions, but it won't be impossible. Some candidates are naturally more buoyant or are better runners than others... just means some have to maintain slightly more motivation than others. Definitely keep working on your running and swimming... those are the two biggest hurdles RSS candidates have to deal with.

[Gremmin]

Originally Posted by Haasino

How tall are you? Guy in my class was probably 5'6" at the tallest... he made it through alright. You'll have to work harder during the buddy tow evolutions, but it won't be impossible. Some candidates are naturally more buoyant or are better runners than others... just means some have to maintain slightly more motivation than others. Definitely keep working on your running and swimming... those are the two biggest hurdles RSS candidates have to deal with.

I am 5'5, I'll keep working on my endurance. and hope that I can get aw when I go to meps.