{"id":733,"date":"2017-11-09T01:24:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T01:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.specialtactics.com\/?p=733"},"modified":"2017-11-09T01:24:37","modified_gmt":"2017-11-09T01:24:37","slug":"ultimate-7-must-haves-water-con-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afspecialwarfare.com\/ultimate-7-must-haves-water-con-training\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate 7 Must-Haves for Water Con Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

While some suitable substitutes are, well…suitable, sometimes it is absolutely essential to duplicate the exact gear used at selection.\u00a0 In this write-up, I have done the research and found the 7 critical pieces of equipment that you need to train with to be successful inside the pool while at PJ Indoc, CCT assessment, Phase 2 assessments & Dive School.\u00a0 All of the pieces have equal value: you must be well-rounded to be successful at selection.\u00a0 You could be a stud at underwaters, buddy breathing, mask\/snorkel recovery, one man comp, etc etc, but if you can’t handle a weight belt on your hips, you will fail just as easily as someone who struggles in any other event.<\/p>\n

I have scoured the internet to find the best prices for you and have provided affiliate links below (all on amazon).<\/p>\n

1) The dive mask used for Air Force selection courses is massive.\u00a0 It is important to train on this:\u00a0\u00a0Single Lens Dive Mask<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0to get used to the amount of air it takes to clear this behemoth.\u00a0 There are small nuances to this mask that you must get used to such as how to properly trace the head strap & feeling where the nose cup is underwater so you don’t put the mask on upside down (this happens ALL the time to the untrained).<\/p>\n

2) Grabbing the right snorkel is critical for buddy breathing.\u00a0 Ensure you get either the:\u00a0 Snorkel – J-Tube<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0 or J Tube Snorkel Clear Mouth<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0as getting intimately familiar with this snorkel will help you succeed when you are under full harassment.\u00a0 This snorkel takes a bit more air to clear than other snorkels due to its larger than normal lower mouth piece section.\u00a0 You may have an adjustment period with the bite blocks and upper mouth piece as well I’ve seen guys struggle to establish a seal quickly while in the pool.<\/p>\n

3) Finning with stiff Rocket style fins is an experience that cannot be duplicated with substitution.\u00a0 Your legs and feet will need to experience the suck of fin swimming with these:\u00a0\u00a0 IST Rocket Fins for Military Special Ops, L<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0prior to going to selection.\u00a0 The force that is put on your legs is critical to experience\u00a0 as well as learning the skills of ditch and don with these type of straps will help you be ready for when its time to perform.\u00a0 Expect calf, foot and hamstring cramps when ramping up training with these fins.<\/p>\n

4) At selection, booties aren’t just used for finning.\u00a0 An easy way to make underwaters (or any pool event) more challenging is by slapping on these:\u00a0\u00a0 Black Zippered Dive Bootie<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0and watch yourself struggle.\u00a0 These booties are a perfect fit for the IST Fins mentioned above.<\/p>\n

5) There have been many of candidates who could fin great, but once that:\u00a0 Weight Belt, Black<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0went on for the first time, their eyes would get big and they’d mercilessly sink to the bottom.\u00a0 Don’t be that guy that struggles with a weight belt when it comes time to put in on when it counts.\u00a0 This belt also has a clasp that can be difficult to manage while performing ditch & dons.
\nWARNING: Do not perform weight belt swims in the deep end without a buddy!\u00a0 Always ensure you have the belt setup so it will release with your right hand<\/strong><\/p>\n

6) A weight belt is useless without weights.\u00a0 Grab 4 of these:\u00a0Uncoated Lace Thru Style Hard Weights, 4Pounds<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0to get 16 lbs total.\u00a0 When starting, I recommend going with 8 lbs and working up to 16.\u00a0 There is a particular way to place these on the belt that unless you’ve been to selection before, you won’t know the nuances– if you are unsure, ask in the specialtactics.com\u00a0 forums here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7) Underwater knot tying is a skill that takes finesse and repetitiveness to master.\u00a0 Use this:\u00a0\u00a0 7mm Accessory Cord<\/a> $\"\"$ \u00a0to learn the square knot, inside bowline, girth hitch w\/ an extra turn and the single fisherman’s knot.\u00a0 TIP:<\/strong> Grab the 20′ or 30′ length and cut out two equal pieces of 36″ each.\u00a0 Use the rest of the rope as your line that you will tie your knot around.<\/p>\n

Happy Swimming,<\/p>\n

SW<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"