You don’t have to swim “several miles” to join the Navy. Their basic swim test is similar to the Boy Scouts’, like 200 yards.
My daughter, who was in the Coast Guard nine years, had to go to remedial swimming during basic. She managed, and later trained as a rescue swimmer, although - at 5’1” and 100 lbs. - she wasn’t going to rescue anyone but a child or a dog.
Wow, she must have really worked hard to reach that level and have qualified as rescue swimmer. My greatest respects were to the helo crews (always included was a rescue swimmer) who had to often go out and actually save lives!
I remember one case off the coast when a sailboat was found offshore without anyone on board in rough seas. Those spotting the pilotless vessel called the CG and the ODO dispatched a helo. The helo crew spotted the victim. Like spotting a watermelon. They dropped a rescue swimmer and were able to save a life. I think that is the only time in my 14.5 year CG career I participated in a definite life saving operation, although there were other cases that may have turned bad had we not assisted (while I was standing watch).
All the cases were analyzed for proper handling, and the tape recorder was always running, capturing the possible distress calls. I still sometimes have nightmares about missing a call, thought I never did.
later trained as a rescue swimmer,
Currious.Did finish the training ? What her rate ?