The mission of the Naval Aviation Rescue Swimmer is to execute search and rescue (SAR) operations from rotary wing aircraft. The Rescue Swimmer shall be physically conditioned to routinely perform demanding rescues in all operational environments. The Rescue Swimmer's expertise shall provide fleet commanders the ability to assist Department of Defense and civilian personnel in distress.

The rescue swimmer shall be in, and maintain, proper physical condition, be proficient with rescue equipment and have the basic first aid, CPR knowledge and skills necessary to recover and assist personnel during SAR operations. The rescue swimmer must be able to function in physiologically demanding environments at sea or on land during day or night operations.

Aircraft carriers supply platforms with which to conduct search and rescue, and are a primary place for Rescue swimmer operations be they involving recovery of combat, or civilian personnel.

Rescue Swimmers were involved in hurricane Katrina, The 2004 Tsunami that rocked the Indian Ocean, and daily operate in hostile environs where a man is the water is the only guy who is going to save a life. Both Navy and U.S coast guard Rescue Swimmers attend the Navy's Rescue Swimmer School at NAS Pensacola, FL.

Prerequisites to becoming a Rescue Swimmer is being designated as a Naval Aircrewman or a satisfactory completion of the Naval Aircrewman Candidate School within the preceding six months. Physically qualified for DIFCREW and SAR duty. Having a current Aero-Medical clearance notice approving participation in High Risk Training. Must be current in all periodic Survival and Aviation. All students must pass the Rescue Swimmer School (RSS) Physical Readiness In-test which consists of the following, in order: Pull-ups - 2, Sit-ups - 50 minimum, Push-ups- 35 minimum, 1.5 mile run - 12 minute maximum, 400 meter swim (utilizing mask, fins, and snorkel) - 11 minute maximum.

The course provides personnel with initial training and hands-on experience in First Aid, CPR, Rescue Equipment, Waterborne Lifesaving Techniques, Day/Night Water Entries, Parachute Disentanglement, Search and Rescue Tactics, Night and Multiple Rescue Situations, and Helicopter Operations. Students will also undergo rigorous physical training which consists of 90 minutes of extensive calisthenics and a 2.3 - 3.0 mile run daily; Strength training with free weights and machines; Swim800 meters in 20 minutes or less; Swim 400 meters buddy tow in 16 minutes or less; Swim 500 meters in 13 minutes or less, followed by a 400 meter buddy tow in 19 minutes or less (5 minute break between swims); Swim 500 meters in 11:30 minutes or less, followed by a 400 meter buddy tow in 17:30 minutes or less (3 minutes break between swims); and a 2000 meter bay swim in 50 minutes or less.

Navy Aircrewman prepare to handle some of the most exciting and sometimes hazardous jobs in the Navy. They are prepared because they undergo some of the most physically and mentally demanding training the Navy has to offer.

Training takes place in Pensacola Florida at the Naval Aviation Schools Command. They will enter the Naval Aircrew program as Aircrewman, AIRC fixed wing aircraft or as an Aircrew Rescue Swimmer, AIRR on rotary wing aircraft.

You'll attend Naval Aircrew Candidate School or NACCS regardless of your program. Upon successful completion you will be awarded NEC 8201, naval aircrew candidate.

If assigned Rescue Swimmer School, you'll continue on to Aviation Rescue Swimmer School.

The Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training School produces personnel qualified to receive a navy-enlisted classification. Upon successful completion of NACCS you'll be advanced to E-2. If you successfully complete NACCS, rescue swimmer school and "A" school, you'll be advanced to a Third Class Petty Officer or E-4 upon completion of "A" school.

To attend NACCS, you must meet certain requirements before transferring from boot camp. Flight physical, be designated a class II swimmer and pass the Navy Physical Readiness Test with satisfactory in all categories for your age group and gender.

To meet rescue swimmer general physical requirements, both males and females must complete forty-two push-ups in less than two minutes, fifty sit-ups in less than two minutes, run one and a half miles in less than twelve minutes, and a four hundred meter swim in less than eleven minutes using the American crawl, side stroke, and breast stroke.

When you're ready to begin the program you'll travel from Recruit Training Command, Chicago IL. to Pensacola Florida by commercial air.

Once aboard NAS Pensacola you'll report directly to NASC building 623. A Petty Officer is available 24 hrs. a day to check you in, assign you a room and begin your indoctrination.

Our courses are designed to train you as Naval Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmers while continuing your military education and your indoctrination. You'll receive general military training, stand watch, undergo personal and room inspections, and take part in other activities that will continue your sailorization process in addition to preparing you to meet the initial training and qualification requirements of an Aircrewman.

The mission of NACCS is to provide you with basic knowledge and skills that will increase chances of surviving an aviation mishap. You'll spend much of your time learning swimming and survival skills.

In water survival training you'll learn swim skills that are more difficult than those used for recreational or competitive swimming. You will be required to pass another class II swimmer screening. To pass you must enter the pool from a twelve foot tower, perform a 100 yd. swim using the four designated survival swim strokes, American crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and elementary back stroke.

During water survival training you will learn how to stay afloat, conserve energy, adapt to various sea conditions and perform life saving swim strokes despite the weight and resistance of the flight clothing you'll be wearing.

You will learn how to administer first aid and CPR.

You will also learn how to disentangle your self from a parachute, should you have to eject out of an aircraft over water or land.

Various simulators will be used to teach you how to escape from an aircraft that sinks after ditching so that you can experience the mental and physical sensations that are involved while in a safe training environment.

If you are an AIRR, you will continue on to Rescue Swimmer School where you'll take part in four more weeks of intense training. This training will demand higher levels of physical fitness and swimming proficiency to prepare you for life saving open ocean rescue operations.

You will learn to jump from helicopters to rescue survivors from hazardous waters, disentangle survivors from parachutes and use a variety of hoisting devices.

You'll also receive extensive first aid training in providing care for rescued personal during helicopter transport.

As you advance through the various phases of the Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training School, you'll face greater and greater demands. Now that you know what to expect and what will be expected of you, you can begin to prepare. You can start to condition yourself both physically and mentally for those stimulating challenges that await you.