How to Swim Like a Navy SEAL

Who better to take advice from than the U.S. Navy SEALs on any topic concerning water? There are military benefits to knowing how to invade an enemy beach inconspicuously and unharmed, but you never know when you-—an average citizen—-may have to abandon ship and use the same tactics in an unfamiliar land.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Wear foot protection and at least one layer of clothing as you prepare to swim ashore the way the Navy SEALs do it.
2. Use side or breast stroke whenever possible to prevent fatigue.
3. Ride on the back of a small wave and let it help carry you to shore.
4. Swim forward in between high waves, not on them.
5. Submerge under high waves, facing them, as they get to you. Come up and swim again forward in between waves.
6. Let an undertow go over you, don’t fight to stay afloat. Push off the bottom of the ocean with your feet. If you can’t reach the bottom, simply swim to the surface after the undertow has passed.
7. Avoid white spray when landing on a rocky shore. Instead, choose the spots where the water rushes over, but doesn’t kick back into a high spray.
8. Place your feet in front of you as you prepare to land on shore. Keep your feet a couple feet lower than your head to protect yourself against hidden rocks and reefs.
9. Come forward behind a large wave to wash onto the shore. If the wave doesn’t get you all the way to the shore, paddle using only your hands and keep in a sitting position until the next wave comes and carries you forward.