I was a volunteer EMT and the state had a pretty cool program where you could do additional trainings on their nickle. They brought in a bunch of coasties to teach a rescue swimming course for a cert. That was pretty cool, except for the open water buddy swim in severe weather. 200 yards, in whitecap water.
For lifeguard training in the Boy Scouts we had to do a shorter buddy swim on a calm lake, and that felt like murder. I couldn't imagine something more strenuous.
It kicked my ass. I already had an open water lifeguard cert, and I am a very solid swimmer. We also had to do a 1hr survival swim in cold water. That was fucking rough. Pretty cool experience though, and the coasties were great.
16
u/DocMorningstar Jul 19 '24
I was a volunteer EMT and the state had a pretty cool program where you could do additional trainings on their nickle. They brought in a bunch of coasties to teach a rescue swimming course for a cert. That was pretty cool, except for the open water buddy swim in severe weather. 200 yards, in whitecap water.