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Swimming in the RAF.
Need this clarified by anyone who is at Halton or who has been recently.
In the careers booklet provided at the AFCO, certain trades require that you must be able to swim, other state that it is not required. Being an extremely weak swimmer, lucky if I could manage half a length, I opted to go for a trade which didn't require me to be able to swim.
How do the training instructors look upon people who can't swim, will I have to go for extra lessons etc or is it merely an extra that is flexible? I'm currently trying to better myself in this area but I do find it tough.
I got a mixed response when I asked about this at the AFCO. A corporal told me that I would have to do remedial and a sergeant who interviewed me in my filter interview stated that as its not essential I wouldn't need to be able to swim.
Thanks in advance
In the careers booklet provided at the AFCO, certain trades require that you must be able to swim, other state that it is not required. Being an extremely weak swimmer, lucky if I could manage half a length, I opted to go for a trade which didn't require me to be able to swim.
How do the training instructors look upon people who can't swim, will I have to go for extra lessons etc or is it merely an extra that is flexible? I'm currently trying to better myself in this area but I do find it tough.
I got a mixed response when I asked about this at the AFCO. A corporal told me that I would have to do remedial and a sergeant who interviewed me in my filter interview stated that as its not essential I wouldn't need to be able to swim.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
I went through Halton on the seven week entry course and we had a guy on our flight who was in the same boat as you - pardon the pun.
Basically, he was given remeadial during down time, such as after examinations at Regiment section and the six or so lessons you spend with the Padre - this is to get you to a point where you can look after yourself in the water without bouyancy aids.
The there is no real 'swimming' element to the PT phase, just a small amount of swimming pool based circuits and aerobics. This is probably more of a Health & Safety issue rather than a 'Fit for Work' issue. At the end of the pool based PT phase, i believe there is a swimming competition which obviously you would struggle in but this will not hamper your progress throughout your time at RTS.
All the best with RTS.......Al
I went through Halton on the seven week entry course and we had a guy on our flight who was in the same boat as you - pardon the pun.
Basically, he was given remeadial during down time, such as after examinations at Regiment section and the six or so lessons you spend with the Padre - this is to get you to a point where you can look after yourself in the water without bouyancy aids.
The there is no real 'swimming' element to the PT phase, just a small amount of swimming pool based circuits and aerobics. This is probably more of a Health & Safety issue rather than a 'Fit for Work' issue. At the end of the pool based PT phase, i believe there is a swimming competition which obviously you would struggle in but this will not hamper your progress throughout your time at RTS.
All the best with RTS.......Al
Hi,
I passed out a couple of weeks ago so I guaruntee this info is bang up to date.
I was the weakest swimmer in my whole intake of 100 people, I passed the test having failed the offcially once and unofficially twice.
Having been identified as a non swimmer it was a case for the PEd staff of getting me up to standard, which BTW is just under 2 lengths in coveralls/CS95s no time limit, no stroke restriction.
While the others in the intake were doing their fartlek style training with a width or 2 then some push ups, I was taken to the shallow end and taught basically how to swim. I was taught a stroke and some breathing techniques as well as given the confidence in the water to actually know I would float rather than sink. I got fantastic support from the guys on flight as they could see I was nervous in the water, and that helped a lot.
I think to have chosen your trade based upon the need for swimming may have been a little previous on your part being that you cannot be a worse swimmer than me and it didnt even factor in my decision. I have FYI chosen to be an FOA which has no swimming requirement, but I do want to do adventurous training, for which the swimming certificate is a must.
Anyway, your trade, your choice, but do not worry about it, everyone is ****e at something. As it turns out some people are ****e at a few things but your flight and the staff will get you through it. Oh and one other piece of advice, get fitter than you are now, in fact get fitter than you think you need to be, run until you want to die then run some more.
Any other questions, I dont go to trade till friday morning so if youre quick, I'll do my best to help.
Cheers,
Matt.
I passed out a couple of weeks ago so I guaruntee this info is bang up to date.
I was the weakest swimmer in my whole intake of 100 people, I passed the test having failed the offcially once and unofficially twice.
Having been identified as a non swimmer it was a case for the PEd staff of getting me up to standard, which BTW is just under 2 lengths in coveralls/CS95s no time limit, no stroke restriction.
While the others in the intake were doing their fartlek style training with a width or 2 then some push ups, I was taken to the shallow end and taught basically how to swim. I was taught a stroke and some breathing techniques as well as given the confidence in the water to actually know I would float rather than sink. I got fantastic support from the guys on flight as they could see I was nervous in the water, and that helped a lot.
I think to have chosen your trade based upon the need for swimming may have been a little previous on your part being that you cannot be a worse swimmer than me and it didnt even factor in my decision. I have FYI chosen to be an FOA which has no swimming requirement, but I do want to do adventurous training, for which the swimming certificate is a must.
Anyway, your trade, your choice, but do not worry about it, everyone is ****e at something. As it turns out some people are ****e at a few things but your flight and the staff will get you through it. Oh and one other piece of advice, get fitter than you are now, in fact get fitter than you think you need to be, run until you want to die then run some more.
Any other questions, I dont go to trade till friday morning so if youre quick, I'll do my best to help.
Cheers,
Matt.
Thor2007
Need this clarified by anyone who is at Halton or who has been recently.
In the careers booklet provided at the AFCO, certain trades require that you must be able to swim, other state that it is not required. Being an extremely weak swimmer, lucky if I could manage half a length, I opted to go for a trade which didn't require me to be able to swim.
How do the training instructors look upon people who can't swim, will I have to go for extra lessons etc or is it merely an extra that is flexible? I'm currently trying to better myself in this area but I do find it tough.
I got a mixed response when I asked about this at the AFCO. A corporal told me that I would have to do remedial and a sergeant who interviewed me in my filter interview stated that as its not essential I wouldn't need to be able to swim.
Thanks in advance
In the careers booklet provided at the AFCO, certain trades require that you must be able to swim, other state that it is not required. Being an extremely weak swimmer, lucky if I could manage half a length, I opted to go for a trade which didn't require me to be able to swim.
How do the training instructors look upon people who can't swim, will I have to go for extra lessons etc or is it merely an extra that is flexible? I'm currently trying to better myself in this area but I do find it tough.
I got a mixed response when I asked about this at the AFCO. A corporal told me that I would have to do remedial and a sergeant who interviewed me in my filter interview stated that as its not essential I wouldn't need to be able to swim.
Thanks in advance
Basically the two individuals in the AFCO where correct! Certain trades require a swimming ability such as PTI, Std and Gnr for example, other don't. The trades that don't require the swimming ability therefore would not prohibit you joining as a non-swimmer. Whilst at RTS you will be taken aside and taught to swim, which as been highlighted above, will increase your confidence, etc. There really is no reason to worry and as the sergeant said, as its not essential for trade you do not need to be able to swim prior! Certain trades like Gnr are looking at doing away with the swimming requirement with a view of teaching whilst in training. I hope this helps, it would appear your AFCO are on the ball with regards their information, Glasgow by chance? If you need any further assistance remember I'm 'Here to help'
I'm in the process of trying to get better, my girlfriend is a strong swimmer and we go a few times a week.
I'm sure I will improve before Halton but maybe not to the required standard so thanks for the heads up about the lessons etc while at Halton. So, even if by the end of the 9 weeks I cannot manage two lengths it wont have any negative influence on me passing out?
Thanks all.
I'm sure I will improve before Halton but maybe not to the required standard so thanks for the heads up about the lessons etc while at Halton. So, even if by the end of the 9 weeks I cannot manage two lengths it wont have any negative influence on me passing out?
Thanks all.
Only if you drown!
No it has no bearing what so ever on your passout. Unless there is a flash flood on the parade square and you have to do a swimming parade
No it has no bearing what so ever on your passout. Unless there is a flash flood on the parade square and you have to do a swimming parade
Also been worried about this but as what im opting for does not require you to swim it wont be to bad, i havent been swimming in years and i could only manage a few widths by the time i would start to get nervous, i love the water but swimming in it is a problem for me, i just hope i aint the only crap swimmer there.
Alexluis, you've been told (numerous times) over on PPRuNe to use your initiative. 
Try doing so.
[And no, I didn't register today either.]
Try doing so.
[And no, I didn't register today either.]
Alexluis
Hello!
I was wondering how is the swimming test at OASC?
Do we need to be PRO at swimming?
What kind of tests, will they do on that test?
Best Regards,
Alex
I was wondering how is the swimming test at OASC?
Do we need to be PRO at swimming?
What kind of tests, will they do on that test?
Best Regards,
Alex
Head... wall... bang... (rearrange)
I didn´t ask you NOTHING!
You are 15, with at least 2 yrs to research things yourself. OASC is changing all the time, & other essential parameters might do as well. Don't waste your time (& that of others). Come back here in 2 yrs time.
The easiest way to get out of a deep pool - grasp the sides and push yourself down and under, then use the momentum to pull yourself up and stick your knee on the side.
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