As the drowning victims submerged themselves in their pretending panic, voices from across the pool told them to stay calm because they were on their way to rescue them.

Ten Marines challenged themselves with a weeklong Water Survival Advance qualification course at Ramer Hall Feb. 3, 2014.

After qualifying as beginners and intermediate swimmers, these Marines took on a challenge that drained all their energy. They were tested in three categories: rescues, strokes and distance swimming.

“By Friday they have to test out on backstroke, sidestroke, and breaststroke, a 500-meter swim with utilities on using the survival strokes that they were taught and four green-side rescues that entail entries, approaches, escapes, tows and carries of an instructor,” said Sgt. Trevor McLaren, Marine Corps Instructor Trainer of Water Survival and the chief instructor of WSA, at Ramer Hall.

Green-side rescues are techniques that are taught to Marines for water survival. “Green” in “green-side” refers to the commonly used color in the Marine Corps, olive drab.

From Monday through Thursday, they built up their confidence in the techniques as each day added more equipment. On Friday they tested out.

“It’s already hard to do it like this in PT gear. When I try the rescues in full utilities, it’s three times harder,” said Staff Sgt. Ivan R. Alfonzo, the motor transport chief at The Basic School and student in WSA. “I’m up for the challenge. I’m definitely motivated and excited to do it, but I know it’s not going to be an easy task.”

An advanced swimmer learns almost everything a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival learns, giving them the ability to assist a MCIWS.

“The same rescues you do in the MCIWS course over about two-and-a-half weeks, advanced students do in four days,” said McLaren.

Although the rescues are said to be the hardest part of the course, it might be even harder to even make time to take the course.

“I wanted to go to a couple of MCIWS courses in the past but I wasn’t able to because of my up-tempo and workload here” said Alfonzo. “But finally, I had a chance to go, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity to make it here to the course.”

Advanced courses are scheduled every three months, and it is a Monday through Friday course. For information on available courses and pool hours, call 703-432-6601.

Correspondent: sarah.a.garcia@usmc.mil