The Nigerian Navy conducts swimming training as part of its overall physical fitness and water best operations readiness. Swimming training is essential to ensure that Navy personnel are professional in water-based operations and emergencies that require swimming skills.
Swimming training in the Nigerian Navy is just like the Navy swimming training in other Navy forces. But differs due to its specific requirements, resources, and training curriculum. The aim is to develop and enhance the swimming skills, water confidence, and physical fitness of personnel. It is an essential component for the Nigerian Navy personnel due to the nature of their operations, which often involve working on or near water bodies.
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training Program
Navy basic training, you must qualify as a Third-Class Swimmer. The swim test for the Third-Class Swimmer includes the basic Swim Skills Assessment Test, in addition to a few more skills that ensure you can survive in open water without a flotation device in a man-overboard situation Further testing is required to qualify for advanced positions within the Navy, but all are based on the Swim Skills Assessment Test. You must be comfortable in the water and appear relaxed throughout the test as specified in the Nigerian Navy Swim Guidelines.
You must pass the 3rd class swim test. Without it, you cannot qualify for the 2nd class swim test. The 2nd Nigerian Navy test is for advanced positions within the Nigerian Navy.
The first-class swim test is for specific Nigerian Navy duties, such as becoming a certified Nigerian Navy swimming tutor.
To pass the first-class swim test, candidates must obtain a YMCA lifesaving or Red Cross certification. The candidate must demonstrate mastery skills in swimming elementary backstroke, breaststroke, crawl stroke, and sidestroke.
Also, they must execute a 25-yard underwater swim, surfacing twice. This portion of the test is meant to recreate situations where it may not be safe for a swimmer to stay on the surface of the water for long, for example, if they are involved in a Fuel burn, aircraft crash, or shipwrecking where there is burning on the surface of the water.
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The List of Nigerian Navy Swimming Activities
Nigerian swimming training programs are as follows;
- Nigerian Navy Swimming Training in Basic Water Familiarization
- Nigerian Navy Swimming Training in Safety and Survival Techniques
- Nigerian Navy Training in Advanced Swimming Techniques
- Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Diving And Underwater Skills
- Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Water Confidence and Endurance
- Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Rescue, Lifesaving, and First Aids
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Nigerian Navy Swimming Training in Basic Water Familiarization
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training focuses on developing water confidence and basic swimming skills. Trainees may learn floating, treading water, and basic swimming strokes to build a foundation of aquatic skills.
Some common skills found in basic water familiarization programs are; Water Adaptation and Relaxation, Floating and Buoyancy, Breath Control, Basic Swimming Movements, Submersion, Water Safety Skills, and Water Confidence Building Activities.
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training in Safety and Survival Techniques
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training on safety training and survival techniques focuses on individuals in water emergencies or situations. This type of training aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure their safety and the safety of others in different marine environments.
Some of the safety and survival training are; Water Safety Rules and Awareness, Personal Flotation Devices, Basic Rescue Techniques, Survival Floating and Treading Water, Drowning Prevention and Self-Rescue, Emergency Breathing Techniques, Cold Water Survival, and Basic first aid.
Nigerian Navy Training in Advanced Swimming Techniques
As Nigerian Navy Swimming Training progresses, more advanced swim techniques such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly are taught. These techniques are essential for efficient swimming and endurance.
Training in advanced swimming techniques focuses on purifying and improving swimming skills to enhance performance and efficiency in the water. This type of training is typically for individuals with a strong foundation in basic swimming skills who want to develop their swimming ability.
Some common elements of advanced swimming techniques are Stroke Analysis and Correction, Advanced Strokes, Turns and Starts, Underwater Dolphin Kicking, Breathing Techniques, Distance Training, Interval Training and Sprinting, Video Analysis, and Feedback.
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Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Diving And Underwater Skills
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Diving And Underwater Skills is a specification requirement of the Nigerian Navy approval. Before, underwater skills are taught to some personnel, such as diving techniques, breath control, and underwater navigation. These skills are relevant for missions involving diving or underwater operations.
Nigerian Navy Swimming training in diving and underwater skills focuses on developing the ability to operate efficiently and safely in marine environments. Specifically underwater. This type of training is for individuals interested in swimming activities such as recreational diving, underwater exploration, or professional diving careers.
Some of the common elements in swimming training for diving and underwater skills are; Scuba Diving Techniques, Underwater Navigation, Equalization Techniques, Underwater, Communication, Buoyancy Control, Underwater Safety, and Emergency Procedures, Underwater Exploration Techniques, and Dive Planning and Decompression Theory.
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Nigerian Navy Swimming Training for Water Confidence and Endurance
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training for Water Confidence and Endurance program comprises exercises to build water confidence and endurance. This involves swimming longer distances, fulfilling timed swims, and engaging in water-based physical fitness exercises.
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training for Water Confidence and Endurance seeks to develop individuals’ comfort, confidence, and stamina in the water. This type of training is beneficial for beginners and those looking to improve their swimming abilities. Beginners usually start with basic water confidence exercises and gradually progress to endurance-build activities, and advanced swimmers will focus on refining technique and pushing their endurance limits.
Some common elements in Nigerian Navy Swimming Training for water confidence and endurance are; Breath Control and Submersion, Treading Water, Endurance Building, Stroke Refinement, Interval Training, Open Water Training, and Mental Conditioning.
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Nigerian Navy Swimming Training In Rescue, Lifesaving, and First Aid
Basic lifesaving techniques and first aid skills are also taught to ensure trainees can respond effectively to water emergencies and provide initial medical assistance when needed.
As part of the Nigerian Navy’s responsibilities, trainees are taught water rescue techniques to aid individuals who may be in distress. This also involves learning different rescue strokes, using rescue equipment, and understanding the principles of water rescue operations.
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training in Rescue, lifesaving, and first aid equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in water emergencies and can assist those in need. This type of training is critical for lifeguards, water rescue personnel, and individuals who want to be prepared to respond to marine emergencies.
Some of the common elements that are in swimming training for rescue, lifesaving, and first aid are; Water Rescue Techniques, Rescue Equipment Use, In-Water Resuscitation, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Spinal Injury Management, First Aid and Emergency Response, Water Safety Education, Incident Management and Communication, and Scenario-Based Training.
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Nigerian Navy Swimming Training Skills Assessment
15 Yard Swim
Nigerian Navy Swimming Training Skills Assessment starts with 15 yards in chest-deep water swim, another 15 yards in water over your head, tread water for one full minute, and float facedown for one full minute is the basic Swim Skills Assessment to measure your ability to swim. Be comfortable with the skills before entering basic training. Basic swimming lessons teach all of these skills.
For those who don’t pass this minimum skills test but are in the military, The Nigerian Navy offers remedial swimming classes to meet the requirement, not only passing the swim test.
The Nigerian Navy third-Class Swimming training is a basic Swim Skills Assessment Test and a few more skills that ensure you can survive in open water without a flotation device in a man-overboard situation.
This activity is jumping from a ship and a particular set of rules regarding body positioning. You must be able to jump into deep water from a 5- to 10-foot medium and locate your way back to the surface skillfully. Your head should be held high, and you must not bend at the waist. Your arms should be scratched over your chest, and your legs should be crossed at the ankle. Bracing your hand by positioning your pinky under your jaw, you should use your inside arm to squeeze your nose. The impact of hitting the water keeps you from losing your grip.
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50 Yard Swim
Without stopping or grabbing onto the side of the pool, you must be able to swim 50 yards. Demonstrate proper technique in the elementary backstroke, backstroke, front crawl, and breaststroke. The Navy has specific instructions for each stroke regarding propulsion techniques and breathing. Learning kick for each stroke and learning to exhale underwater. So, you have to inhale when you come up for breath. Practicing techniques to coordinate arm and leg motions for optimum propulsion.
Float/Inflation
While waiting for rescue, the prone float and clothing inflation are techniques you employ to stay afloat. So your skills must be solid. The Third-Class Swimmer test requires you to exhale through the nose and mouth and pivot at the neck to inhale through the mouth. Float facedown for 5 minutes in any position. Bloating movement is unacceptable. Your arm and leg movements should keep you on the surface. For the inflation test for training, you must stay close to the surface. Your clothing must be inflating, sinking is not allowed, and enough for you to float without moving or struggling.
Second Class Swim Test
The test determines if a person can survive without a personal flotation device and stay afloat.
An entry-level requirement for small boat operators, Naval aircrew, and rescue swimmers. The second-class swimming qualification is mandatory.
The second class swim test consists of a 100-yard swim demonstrating 25 yards. Each of them crawls strokes, breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, and a deep water jump. Without leaving the water, students will prone float (face down) for 5 minutes and transition to a back float before exiting the water after the completion of the swim.
First Class Swim Test
The first class swim test is mandated for specific Naval duties, such as becoming a certified Navy swimming tutor.
To pass the first-class swim test, candidates must first acquire a Red Cross or YMCA lifeguard certification. The candidate must show mastery of the elementary backstroke, breaststroke, crawl stroke, and sidestroke.
Also, they must perform twice surfacing 25-yard underwater swim. It is easy for a swimmer to remain on the surface for long. This portion of the test is meant to recreate conditions. For example, if they are involved in a shipwreck, where there is burning fuel on the water’s surface or an aircraft crash.
Finally
You must qualify as a Third-Class Swimmer before you complete Nigerian Navy basic training. Based on the Swim Skills Assessment Test, additional testing is needed to qualify for progressive ranks within the Navy. As outlined in the Nigerian Navy Swim Guidelines. You must be comfortable enough in the water that appears relaxed throughout the test.