Stew Smith (Navy SEAL) published a great article on learning the Combat Swimmer’s Stroke that ncludes a breakdown of the movements, video demonstrations, and a 5-day program for training. This is a great swimming stroke to learn for people who are training to pass physical fitness screening tests that involve swimming (e.g. PST for BUD/S slots), or someone who is just looking for an effective and fficient swimming stroke that can be used for a sustained period of time, including in open water. Check it out the ful article and videos HERE!
“His ability to keep calm kept him from burning through his limited oxygen supply. It was literally all about attitude. The gentlemen stated that he constantly recited a Psalm given to him by his wife to stay calm. Human beings have an incredible ability to control their mental and physical state when properly motivated. Singing songs and reciting memorized poems or bible verses can significantly alter our mindset in a very mechanical way. You can sort of ‘Fake it until you make it’ if you know what to do.” Read this amazing story of a Nigerian man who intentionally used his attitude to limit his oxygen consumption and survive three days in a sunken boat. You can read the full SOFREP article HERE. You can also watch video footage of the rescue in the following video:
Cool video on emergency egress (exiting a vehicle) training! Practice makes the incredible possible, including exiting a sunken helicopter in full gear with blacked out goggles on. Never underestimate the power of practice, or yourself!
USAF Special Operations Command released footage of the Modular Egress Training Simulator (a.k.a. “The Dunker”) today. The simulator recreates in a controlled environment the types of challenges spec ops airmen will confront if their helicopter goes down in water. Like other versions of water survival and drownproofing, the key is to remain calm and reflexively put into action what lots of hours of training has ingrained in them. Check it out…hold your breath when the camera goes under the surface…and see what can be learned from this experience.
Wednesdays are rest days in my current program. Still on my business trip in northern Minnesota and staying in campgrounds overnight, I hit the Crow Wing State Park trail along the Mississippi River at dusk for a 6-mile hike with map and compass. At sunset I decided to step off the trail and see if I could navigate my way to a destination point on another trail a half-mile away. The darkness and brush density became an increasing challenge, but I pulled it off successfully. It was a good practice session, that’s for sure! By the way I use the Cammenga 3H Tritium Compass and would rely on it in even the toughest situations.
“His ability to keep calm kept him from burning through his limited oxygen supply. It was literally all about attitude. The gentlemen stated that he constantly recited a Psalm given to him by his wife to stay calm. Human beings have an incredible ability to control their mental and physical state when properly motivated. Singing songs and reciting memorized poems or bible verses can significantly alter our mindset in a very mechanical way. You can sort of ‘Fake it until you make it’ if you know what to do.” Read this amazing story of a Nigerian man who intentionally used his attitude to limit his oxygen consumption and survive three days in a sunken boat. You can read the full SOFREP article 
