Workouts and Techniques That Help with Drownproofing (SAFELY)
Many people need to work on their water confidence. Treading water, swimming, swimming underwater is one way to build a moderate level of confidence in the water. Add in gear, equipment, clothing, and for some units hands tied / feet tied and you have a high level of water confidence that is required in many of the nation's special ops units like Navy SEAL, Air Force PJ, and USMC RECON. Some rules:
1 - Don't swim alone
2 - Do NOT practice underwater swimming alone
3 - Do NOT do underwater breath holds for max time.
Deaths occur when people do this and there is no reason for it.
Checkout this article on the topic from Military.com: for one of my favorite workouts that turns the drownproofing test into "just another workout". 
Here is a drownproofing simulation (DO NOT TIE HANDS / FEET EVER!!)
On Mobility Days, we will do this workout that mixes in some conditioning swims alongside challenging events of the drownproofing tests:
Swim and Drownproofing Events Workout
(tied hands / feet are simulated)
It's best if this is done in a 9-ft. deep pool with simulated tied hands for DP events in bold italics.
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Bottom bounce 2 minutes
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Float 2 minutes
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Travel 100 meters (only using dolphin kick)
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Front flip. Start flip off bottom of the pool and repeat 2-3 times in 2 minutes.
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Back flip. Start flip off bottom of the pool and repeat 2-3 times in 2 minutes.
Swim 100m freestyle of side stroke
Mask Retrieval (pick up mask with teeth from bottom of the pool)
These are all of the events of the Navy SEAL Drownproofing test, but let's add in a few more events.
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
Tread holding 5-10 lbs. weight (mix of no hands snd one hand) for 2 minutes
Swim 100m freestyle of side stroke
Simulate buddy breathe with snorkel while treading on the surface (AF PJ test) for 2 minutes.
Swim 100 meters freestyle of side stroke
- Never swim alone.
A Break-Through Workout For Aspiring Special Ops Candidates Seeking to Crush the Swim of the PST
STOP - Seriously LISTEN!!!
It Can Happen to YOU!!
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Which Program is Right For Me - Special Ops Candidates
EBOOKS and BOOKS
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1 Beginner Weeks 1-9
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3 - Intermediate Weeks 1-12
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT - Four weeks before Hell Week
BOOKs
Navy SEAL Weight Training Book
Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness Book
It depends: The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness is a classic and focuses on high rep calisthenics and running and swimming base. You will build up your running over 12-18 weeks to 20 miles but very fast paced focus on both the 1.5 mile run for the PST and the 4 mile timed run for weekly run test at BUDS. If you are an athlete with a strong power / strength background in lifting and not running or swimming, Navy SEAL Fitness is ideal for you. IF you need some place to start Navy SEAL Fitness is ideal for you as well because a calisthenics base / running / swimming progression is a good place to build a foundation. Though you will likely need to spend some time in the Navy SEAL Weight Training Book OR if Navy SEAL FItness is too challenging, go with Navy SEAL SWCC, EOD, Diver, PST Phase 1 Workout. Phase 1 is a good starting point if Navy SEAL Fitness program is too tough.
Navy SEAL Weight Training - This is part two (winter lifting phase) of my SEAL Prep program. If you have done the Navy SEAL Fitness (12 weeks to BUDS) program a few times and need a break, this is the next program that integrates lifting with the Navy SEAL Prep training.
Special Ops – Most of my programs tend to focus on getting TO and THROUGH a specific tactical training program. So you may see a mix of all the seasons in some of these books, but if you are training long term, you can take advantage of Seasonal Periodization and save yourself some of the over-use, long term pains that tend to follow many of the tactical preparations - especially on the spec ops level of training.
Start training today with workouts that focus on the specifics of getting to and through tactical profession training from firefighter, police, swat, military to special ops. We have programs to help you get TO and THROUGH training.
Seasonal Tactical Fitness Programs
Especially These That Are Used For Local Spec Ops Candidates Last Year
Tactical Fitness Series - Tactical Fitness, Tactical Strength, and Tactical Mobility is an ALL-encompassing program that focuses on lifting, calisthenics, run, ruck, swim, speed, agility, and flexibility / mobility. Many people focusing on USMC (OCS, RECON, MarSOC) Army Ranger / SF, Air Force Special Warfare, SWAT / Federal Law Enforcement, and Navy Special Warfare have done very well focusing on the Tactical Fitness Series and developing themselves into an all-round Tactical Athlete.
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VIDEO TESTIMONIAL: Jim started with me several years ago needing help with his fitness and health. Over the years, we became friends and even business partners on a few joint ventures - I still send him weekly workouts. Here is a video testimonial that was placed in the middle of his podcast - I was shocked but wanted to share as it is a great story and quite typical of clients on any of the Online Training Programs.
