Can I use a De Anza swim class or lifeguard training to get ready for Navy Seals or Marines training?

Actually, you can. It's not all you would need by a long shot, but doing lots of swimming and building up your ability to swim a distance underwater on one breath can be included in a De Anza swim class.

Never try prolonged underwater (or even at the surface)breath holding on your own in or out of class. It always has to be done with an instructor, coach or lifeguard watching you. Listen carefully to my class lecture on how hyperventilating before you try breath holding can kill you.

_______________________________________

from: Navy Seal Drowns in Shallow End of Honolulu Municipal Swimming Pool

"On March 26, 1998, a Navy Seal who was training for the U.S. Free Diving Team, approached the two Lifeguards on duty at a municipal swimming pool and explained he was training to hold his breath for a prolonged period of time while underwater in order to gain a spot on the U.S. Free Diving Team. The Lifeguards gave the individual permission to practice in the shallow end of the pool.

This individual then went to the shallow end, directly in front of the Lifeguard stand, went through a series of breathing and swimming exercises, then hyperventilated and attempted to hold his breath, while still located in the shallow end directly in front of the Lifeguard stand. In order to assist him in staying underwater, he draped a weight belt across his hips.

Meanwhile the Lifeguards, rather than being appropriately stationed in the elevated Lifeguard stands, both sat together under the tarp on deck-level bleachers on the opposite end of the pool. According to testimony provided by the Lifeguards, they lost sight of this individual, and several patrons approached the Lifeguards and asked by the man was laying on the bottom of the pool. Their reply was that he was practicing holding his breath.

Approximately 30 minutes after the individual submerged himself in the shallow end of the water, the Lifeguards investigated the potential incident and when they realized he was in trouble, they entered the water and removed him. Emergency resuscitation procedures were not effective because of the prolonged submersion time."

read the entire article at: http://www.lifesaving.com/case_studies/case09/case09.htm

_______________________________________

some excerpts from FAQs about Navy Seal training:

"Should I expose myself to freezing cold water to help prepare myself for BUD/S training?

- Absolutely not! Not only is it very dangerous and stupid, but it is also non-beneficial. It is not possible to "get used to" cold water. So why expose yourself to unnecessary punishment and danger?...

What type of physical preparation and workout should I do to help prepare me for BUD/S?

... Whatever workout(s) you decide to do, you should be sure to include lots of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips, flutter kicks, running and swimming. Lots of it! ...

Should I learn how to SCUBA dive before going to BUD/S?

- SCUBA classes teach RECREATIONAL and other types of 'civilian' diving. Prospective SEALs are taught how to be COMBAT divers. Two completely different things. Second phase of BUD/S will teach you all the diving you need to know - much more extensive than ANY other program anywhere. No previous civilian (or other) diving experience is needed nor recommended. If you go in with NO diving experience at all, that is a good thing, because the instructors are then able to 'mold you' into the type of the diver needed in the Teams. You won't have any old 'bad habits' to break, etc. It's easier to teach someone from scratch than to have to 're-teach' someone things that they THOUGHT they already knew..."

read the whole article at: http://navysealmuseum.com/heritage/training_buds.php#faq

_______________________________________

De Anza FYI: there is no such thing as true drownproofing. Should you decide on your own at some other pool to try "tying (your) feet at the ankles and hands behind your backs at the wrist then entering the pool for some bobbing followed by a 50 meter swim," or any other prolonged underwater (or surface) breath holding, be certain you get permission from the lifeguard where you are trying it and that they watch you closely. And, no, you won't be able to try that tied hands drill at the De Anza pool. Risk Management would not care for it.

Hypoxic training is a workout with limited breathing and therefore a limited intake of oxygen. No hypoxic training or attempts at lengthy breath holding are allowed in my classes without permission and an instructor or lifeguard watching you.

see also:

Lifeguard Training

P.E. 26C

P.E. 26D

P.E. 6G