Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A CH-53 Super Stallion is operating along the coast in a hot zone when enemy fire sends the bird plummeting into the water.You are carrying a full combat load and you're under heavy fire. Marines around you are panicking and you're starting to sink. What do you do?Breathe, relax and do what you learned in Combat Water Survival Qualification."Many Marines take swim qualification for granted, but when they find themselves in water during combat, they will be screaming for it - that's too late," said Cpl. Lewis Snyder, a combat water safety swimmer with B Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.CWSQ is just that, learning to survive and save lives while in the water. Instructors start off by teaching the three fundamental water survival strokes: the breaststroke, sidestroke and elementary backstroke. The instruction transforms everyday swimming pool visitors into skilled, confident swimmers who wonÕt panic when a water emergency occurs.Instructors emphasize safety by applying the acronym "SAFE."Sgt. Adam Elteto, a water safety instructor with Assault Amphibian School Battalion, elaborated: "S - slow and easy movements. A - apply natural buoyancy. F - full lung inflation. E, which is most important - extreme relaxation," he said.When beginning swim qualification, Marines are trained primarily to stay safe by employing their gear and knowledge."I think the minimum swim qualification in the Marine Corps should be raised because Marines shouldn't be able to just save themselves, but to save others also," Snyder said.Once Marines pass lower levels, they learn just that. They undergo many vigorous and physically demanding tests - like swimming with a brick above their heads for 25 meters.Marines are pushed to achieve the highest swim qualification level possible. "Everyone should be encouraged to become a safety swimmer. It's a great billet," Snyder said. Once Marines reach the instructor level, they can train other Marines to become confident amphibious warriors. Snyder challenged leaders not to compromise in swim qualification. "I know on the rifle range and the PFT field Marines don't slip through the cracks. Why are Marines able to sneak through in swim qualification?" he asked.