I ran across some video clips on SEAL training and the brain's fear mechanism. Some significant pieces of it fit with the successful survival mindset of positive thinking, setting small attainable goals, and visualizing successful outcomes.

Specifically see the 4:30 mark of this video.

So do they play John Barry's Thunderball OST underwater whilst the SEALS do their fear training.

thanks for posting the link tothe vids. They are aboth excellent. Total time to watch both a bit over 15 minutes.

Interesting. It sounds like knowledge of what to do, training and practice are keys to getting the troops to stay focused and to do what is needed in times of stress/fear. So my Drill Sergeants and their long line of predecessors had it right all along.

DI: "Gump, why did you put that rifle back together so quickly?"

Forrest Gump: "Because you told me to Sergeant!"

DI: "Outstanding Gump! You're going to be a general someday Gump!"

The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat.

You should train in the worst possible environmental conditions, to the point of both physical and mental exhaustion. Then when the real thing happens, you feel like you have been there, done that and can accomplish the mission.

I wonder if anybody ever died in the Navy SEAL pool competency test.

That's a sweet way of getting up on a ledge at 4:39.

Learning how to breathe underwater with a malfunctioning SCUBA regulator is part of the basic PADI course. First time I tried it, I was amazed that it worked. The pool doesn't look too deep so no bends. I suspect that the procedure to rise to the surface from 25+m depths without working SCUBA gear is a little more tricky that shown in the Navy SEAL pool competency test. You don't particularly need to be a good swimmer either to pass all the PADI courses. I suspect that most of the SEAL trainees would have passed their 25 metre swimming proficiency badge.

Perhaps a more realistic view/documentary of training elite soldiers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeVtwMcW9tw @4:10

From what I understand, the Navy SEAL pool competency test is the most difficult phase of SEAL training, not because it's physically difficult, but because it's mentally difficult. Fear of drowning is perhaps the most difficult fear to push through mentally. Fear of heights is up there too, but fear of drowning (or being buried alive) is about the worst in my mind.

I've heard that a great athlete could get through all the other phases relying a lot on his ability, but the pool competency test is far beyond being just a great athlete. That's seems like realistic training to me.

Their is a surprising number of folks who will try SCUBA and then decide it's not for them. This obviously doesn't include the folks for which fear of drowning is a consideration. For others they absolutely love SCUBA and will use any opportunity to get some time underwater. As with the paratroopers fear of heights and being a paratrooper is somewhat mutually exclusive. I guess the same applies to those who see themselves as a Navy SEAL. I suspect that there are probably some who actually miss the opportunity to get more pool time during the BUDs course (they love the buzz/fun it gives them)


BTW love the whoosh sound @4:39 as the Navy SEAL cuts the air on the sound track.