The ocean versus the pool

[Jake4783]

I'm just curious, if I have the option (for training purposes) should I be doing my swimming in the ocean, or in a pool. I live in Southern California, if your curious about water conditions.

[king henry viii]

I'm just curious, if I have the option (for training purposes) should I be doing my swimming in the ocean, or in a pool. I live in Southern California, if your curious about water conditions.

not alone. not early in the morning or after dusk... the great whites will chomp your ***. use some kind of flotation device also, just to be safe.

[Jake4783]

Don't worry, I have those neon arm floaties, I'm okay in that department, haha.

[boatsonheads]

I would suggest doing both, but at bud/s you'll only be doing timed swims in the ocean.

If you can find someone else crazy enough to be your swim buddy swim in the ocean. Practice guideing, which is pretty much swimming in a straight line. That is by far the number one thing that guys will fail for. Because if you've ever thought about it can you really see a green bouy that sits 3 feet out of the water a mile up the beach when you're in the water? HELL NO. so you pick some trees or a building or a pier that you can use as a refrence point to indicate your swimming in a straight line. You've got to be able to be constantly moving fluidly in the water while sticking your head up to see where you are going. This take a lot of practice and will make or break your swims at bud/s along with how much the instructors feel like screwing with you by their bouy placement

[didley]

for endurance purposes, I would train in the pool. The salt in the Ocean will keep you more buoyant which allows less energy to be used in keeping you afloat. So if you're good to go in the pool, you should be fine in the ocean. That being said, you should also do Ocean swims to get used to surf/current/man-eating sharks/etc...

[Jake4783]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input, it always helps.

[usnavysar]

hey there kid. i would suggest swimming in a pool first and formost. you need to get your breathing down. after you get comfortable in a pool i would suggest starting at 45 minute increments in the ocean. nothing more than that. you need to get used to being hit with water. a pool is warm. the ocean is not. unless someone does a cannon ball next to your head your not going to get the harrasment you would in the ocean. the ocean will take a serious toll on your body. one minute you will be stron and doing fine then the next you cant even stay a float. next by a rescue swimmer vest. these are the best. they arent inflated until you inflate them. so they dont get in your way of your stroke. make sure to have some kind of glow stick hand also. if you get pulled out to see it could be hours before your discoverd. and it will probly be me pulling you out and i dont want to squint to find you. ;) on a serious note stay close to shore. always have a buddy with you. i would suggest him or her having a life jacket on the whole time and not doing much swimming so if you get exausted they can pull you out. keep a cell phone on or near the beach. lastly watch out for jelly fish. people forget about them things and worry about sharks instead. jelly fish suck. and you can end up in a school of them damn things in 2 seconds. if you get stung in the right place your done swimming. good luck and be safe.

[Jake4783]

USNAVYSAR, wow, thanks. I actually had the idea of some sort of glow stick, and keep it in a small pouch in the suit I have to swim in the ocean, or to keep in my pocket of my swim shorts. But the inflatable vest never crossed my mind. I appreciate that, and the fact that someone gave that idea. I will keep it in my mind, and when I move into the ocean at some point, I will make sure to have one on me.

[usnavysar]

your very welcome jake! its a pleasure! i hope that my tips provided some good insight for you. let me know if you have any other questions water related or not. you seem like a good kid and a good listener. im always more than happy teaching kid like you! take care bud. be safe.

[honorman]

FYI: I never swam in the ocean till I got to BUD/S! I swam an 1:30 five times per week. 30 minutes turtle back with fins....and an hour CSS with fins!! I showed up to BUD/S had a great swim buddy who was a College water Polo player.....we were the 2nd fastest swim pair in our class!!

Point is....I don't think it is necessary to swim in the ocean prior to BUD/S. I think the danger involved out ways the risk. You for sure need a UDT life vest....and a swim buddy! I would never swim in the Ocean...by myself....and I am a former TEAM GUY.

For what it is worth!! Good Luck!!

[taipan215]

I might add that investing in a long sleeved lycra vest is wise. These will prevent stings from marine stingers. Try a surf shop. I don't know what kind of critters you have in CA but in Oz we have them and they're a pain.