Do(ing) it again; Water Survival Training (API is just the beginning)

No dunker pics? I saw SWET chairs. There must be a dunker in there somewhere!

Thanks for the pics heyjoe. A couple days before the end of API my parents drove to Pcola and I showed them the dunker. One of the instructors was telling us to come back later that evening because they were doing some sort of "advanced" dunker training where they cut the lights and have simulated lightning. We didn't go back, but I'm assuming the helo guys and AC know all too well what I'm talking about.

No I don't, but I can assume that is sucks even worse than what we have to go through.

Somehow, I imagine the helo dunker is a lot worse.

Do the VAW-120 guys do the water survival stuff as part of the RAG syllabus or something? Matt was in the API class I graduated with (damn helo dunker) and one class behind me in primary. Seems like they're getting the requal early. I know if I get a Hawaii squadron I'll do it here in Jax before I PCS, but I think Jax/Whidbey guys only go through the requal when it's about to expire.

Oh, and there's an AW poster in the top picture

VAW guys get additional fun that brings them up to E-2 requirements for egress. Think of DJET in P'cola as one upgrade, then the E-2 specific stuff here as one step beyond that.

Actually, wait until your 4 years is up and you go through the R3/RP3. It's exactly what he's talking about - the last ride in the dunker, the lights are out and there's simulated lighnting and they're playing storm sounds. There's also sprinklers all around the pool and you have to egress, get over to the raft flip it over, get in, paddle, then one by one egress out to the hoist. It's actually pretty good training. The new dunker is also much better (and more realistic) than the old one.

Good catch, I didn't even see it at first. burningfeathers looks mighty wet...

Worst part of Naval Aviation! Luckily for me, I never had to use it. But speaking to people who had to do actual helo egresses, they were very grateful for having had the training.

Do they combine the two at all, or is HEEDS still just in a shallow pool?

Wow. You need to do it up here in Norfolk, it was almost a non-event. I was nervous about re-doing the dunker when I joined the reserves (my last dunker experience in Jacksonville, FL didn't go so great) but they make it actually semi-enjoyable and educational here... I'm still glad I only have to do it once every 4 years.

The HABD bottle training was pretty low key. Big help if you've ever used SCUBA when it comes to clearing it. Couple of runs in the chair, then you do three passes in the dunker. First one you already have the bottle in your mouth, last two you've gota clear it once your upside down and before you egress. Only think the final run in the dunker was blindfolded.

Bottle training brings up a question. As a fixed wing tacair guy what kind of extra training (if any) do I need to go for a dog and pony flight with one of the helo squadrons in air wing?

Just go for a ride in the back???? None. They take passengers all over the place that have no training. The crewman just gives a "brief" prior to you getting on. You have no oxygen as a passenger - you just get a cranial and flotation. But if you do that...I recommend becoming friends with one of the HACs and then asking them to give you a helmet so you can hook up to ICS and then ask to sit in a gunner's seat. It's a lot cooler that way.

No, going flying in the front. The opportunity has presented itself but just trying to make sure all the i's are dotted and t's crossed.

I already did R3/RP3 requal, and I don't recall anything about the lights being off and storm sounds and sprinklers. I just remember the standard 3 runs for no air and 3 for HABD, plus all the other basic swimming skills.

Depends on where you do it. I did my last requal in Norfolk and there was lightening, etc.

Did my requal at Miramar... I guess the Marines don't have enough money for simulated lightening sounds and darkness.