EURORSAFIT
The core aim of the European Rescue Swimmer's Association is to support SAR aircrew, working as full-time helicopter rescue swimmers across Europe and around the world. Through sharing operational experiences, training practices and procedures the EURORSA strives to provide it's members with the knowledge, experience and fitness to enable them to up hold our motto to ensure “Nobody Gets Left Behind”.
EURORSA has launched a project that aims to develop a common physical testing for Helicopter Rescue Swimmers (Winchman/UK, SAR divers/France, etc.). Helicopter SAR operations in Europe are conducted by a wide variety of operators, be them Civilian, Military and Border/Coast Guard who all have their own regulations and standards for Rescue Swimmer physical testing. These regulations and standards vary greatly however when a rescue Swimmer is called to perform in water, the physical demands will ultimately be the same no matter what ocean or sea they are called to perform their duty in. As a result this development of a common standard for Rescue Swimmers physical testing should be seen as strengthening the profession and another tool for SAR helicopter operators to use to ensure their Rescue Swimmers are prepared for the day, or night when their efforts in the pool are ultimately tested.
The fitness test is designed to best simulate the various stresses a swimmer may find themselves in when undertaking a live water rescue. The 600 meter test is to be conducted in a 50m pool consisting of the following evolutions. The clock is not stopped between evolutions:
1. A continuous 200 meter swim in speedos / swimming trunks. The clock is started and the swimmer enters the water feet first then swims the 200 meters, where on completion they pull themselves from the pool.
2. Once out of the pool the swimmer puts on fins and mask and then enters the pool feet first to complete a second continuous 200-meter swim where they once again pull themselves from the water on completion.
3. The swimmer then picks up a 4kg weight and enters the water again feet first, where they then complete a 100m fin / kick rescue stroke with the 4 kg weight. On completion of this 100m the weights are placed on the side of the pull and the swimmer pulls themselves out of the water again.
4. The swimmer reenters the water a pushes another 4kg weight along the bottom of the pool until the 25 meter mark. At this point the swimmer then sprints the remaining 75 meters back to finish and pulls themselves out of the water. Once the swimmer is clear of the water the clock is stopped.
The test is broken down into the various sections to focus on specific physical skills that a swimmer may be required to call upon during a rescue situation.
The 200 meter swims with and without fins will identify a swimmers core ability to swim. While the length is longer than what may be required on an operation rescue, the swimmer will experience muscle fatigue over this length and may highlight deficiencies in their endurance training. As a guideline a maximum time of four minutes will apply for the first 200m.
Pulling oneself from the pool, simulates the upper body strength that is required for a swimmer to pull themselves from the water up into a small vessel or life-raft, this is done four times throughout the test and simulates multiple recoveries, with the repetition highlighting fatigue issues that may occur in an operational situation.
The four Kilogram weight tow is designed to simulate the swimmer having to tow a survivor or where they are required to fin kick on their back to maintain a clear highline or winch cable.
The four kilogram weight push along the bottom of the pool is designed to help the swimmer build their lung capacity to help them in situations where they must hold their breath for short periods. Such occasions may occur if a swimmer is forced under water by a panicking survivor or they are swamped by waves in rough swell. (Due to the dangers of shallow water black out, swimmers should not practice underwater breath holds alone. As an absolute minimum a safety swimmer who is not engaging in breath hold exercises should be present at all times directly supervising the training swimmer. Hyperventilating in an attempt to prolong time underwater should also not be undertaken.)
Ongoing testing will determine an acceptable time frame for the completion of the test. However like all training, a Rescue swimmer should always be looking to better their themselves and previous times to ensure they are ready in the event that their efforts in the pool are ultimately tested on the high seas.