Posted: 1/25/2006 1:11:21 PM EDT
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How do you all swim in full combat gear? With the equipment that a WWII-era Marine was armed with, could he swim? |
Well the Drill Instructor has you put on all the gear, then they put you on the platform and off you go... either you swim or you sink.  But really, your pack isn't that much of a detriment if you're swimming on your back with one with the air trapped inside. With just your deuce gear on, it's a bit different, but you can swim alright... just takes a bit more effort with all the drag. Keep in mind everything weighs a lot less in the water so it's mostly drag that makes it the most difficult. Floating is easy, moving somewhere takes effort. |
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When its swim or die, you swim. Mae West Vest or inflatable belt. Any Alice pack with a water proof bag inflated will float nicely. Poncho raft for you and your buddy. Bob and travel works in shallow water. LBV with ammo and without are two very different animals. Dumping your water out of your canteens can give you a suprising amount of buoyancy. Don't panic and hold your breath. When you need air QUICKLY exhale and inhale a full lungful. Shallow panicked breaths will kill you. deep full breaths are the way to go. 
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| Allot of Marines and Soldiers drown during WWII because of gear not properly rigged. Because of that Marines devote a bit of the training time towards swim training. Its really a big deal at TBS, those who aren't strong swimmers are at the pool on their time to get better. Also the Lts are trained at how to rig their packs and gear to swim with it so they know what to inspect for if they are doing over the water ops. |
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I went thru half a qual once w/ my KEVLAR down over my eyes halfway. Getting outta your pack can be tricky; especially if you are maintaining a handhold on your rifle. I'm with the opinion that my pack would be the first to go and I would do all I could to prevent from entering the water with it on. eta and back to topic Its called Survival strokes and you can swim with or without your pack strapped on. (Theoretically) While swimming with your pack OFF, you place it in front of you w/ weakhand, and your rifle (forward) on top of the pack w/ stronghand. Basically like a scissor kick w/ your pack/rifle leading you. You can swim with your pack on, but it is alot less productive IMO. As per the above comment, I got hung up once trying to get outta my pack and drank a bunch of water, and then puked it back up 
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