Slowly, the simulated vehicle lowers itself into the deep end of the pool, submerging the Marines and their instructors. The massive faux aircraft peeks out of the water as it turns over, and sinks again, like a whale tail. The water is silent, as personnel wait, watching. One by one, the Marines poke their heads out of the water, and while wiping their faces, proceed to cling to the SWET or venture over to the pool wall.

All Marines that travel over water, such as pilots, are required to take the SWET Indoctrination Course. More than 30 service members from Marine Aircraft Group 24 attended their course from Oct. 29 through 31, 2014.

Required every three years, the SWET course teaches service members how to escape an aircraft during an emergency water landing and how to use a Survival Egress Air LV2 breathing device. The MAG-24 participants split into two groups, each group spending one day learning in classroom 7 of building 222 and one day at the base pool. Service members must also take a written quiz. At the base pool, each participant must undergo five dunks, or “ditches,” in the SWET. During at least one of the dunks, the service members must additionally wear blinders and carry a fake M16 rifle.

"(SWET training is) definitely a lifesaving tool,” said Staff Sgt. David Boyle, the operations chief for MAG-24. “It’s good training for the Marines because a lot of them don’t get to experience this on a day to day (basis). When they’re flying over water, if the aircraft goes down, they can be confident that they (are) able to get out safely.”

Boyle, of Ironton, Ohio, said challenges of the training include confronting confusion, fear and disorientation. Participants must briefly hold their breath, unbuckle themselves from their seats while upside down, employ a breathing apparatus and find their way out of the SWET to the surface. He mentioned that some students additionally have a more difficult time because they can’t swim.

This was the first time for some of the Marines, including Staff Sgt. Shiloh Linden, the MAG-24 environmental officer. The native of Youngstown, Ohio, has already flown many times during his 19-and-a-half years in the Marine Corps, but SWET training had not been offered in the past.

"I liked it!” Linden exclaimed. “It’s wonderful. I was like, ‘wow, this is good training.’ (Service members) should do this in boot camp before they go to their units. Let’s just start it there, because they’re obviously going to have to fly in a helicopter some time. (The Marines) might as well do training then.”

During his training, Linden said he was pushed into the “cockpit” of the simulated helicopter, and needed to feel his way out. “I had issues with (the flak jacket),” Linden said. “I thought I had it off but when I (started) to go it was attached on my air line, so it was trying to pull my air line out of my mouth, so that was a good experience, (to learn) this is what can happen.”

Linden advises others who will take the training in the future to stay calm. “Breathe air, you’ve got time,” Linden said, referring to the SEA-LV2. “I actually got out and I think I had just over half a tank of air left.”

Cpl. Ignacio Gomez, a data network specialist with MAG-24, experienced his first SWET class, Oct. 29 and 30. The Addison, Ill., said the class was well organized, and felt that the training’s “crawl, walk, run” method worked well.

"I like the way that they have every station set up,” he said. “Honestly, it was all (about) just staying calm and doing what they taught us. Hardest part for me was not sinking because I’m just a natural sinker. Just relax and listen to the (trainers). Do exactly (what) they tell you to do and you won’t have an issue.”