Civil Air Patrol Members Take to the Pool

On Saturday, March 22, 2026, the Marco Island Senior Squadron of Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Florida Wing, hosted a highly successful Over-Water Survival (OWS) course. Twenty-five members representing four Southwest Florida squadrons, Marco Island, Ft. Myers, Punta Gorda, and Naples participated in the course.

The course was led by 1st Lt John C. Knab, serving as primary instructor, with Capt. Robert Boone providing expert assistance. Both instructors are seasoned veterans of numerous OWS courses, and their blend of practical experience and real-life survival stories kept participants engaged during the training event.

So why are CAP aircrew members jumping into a pool fully clothed? Because the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean are not forgiving places. All CAP aircraft crews who fly extended overwater sorties, such as those conducted with the USAF practicing Homeland Security aircraft intercepts, are required to complete OWS certification initially and every three years thereafter. These training techniques have been shown to produce an expected 88% survival rate in the event of an unplanned water landing!

The classroom portion covers procedures including pre-flight planning, pre-ditching preparation, the water-landing sequence, and post-ditching survival. 

The next part of the training is the aircraft egress exercise. Crewmembers must exit an aircraft (in the correct sequence) within 15 seconds! This drill drives home a critical lesson: to survive an actual water landing, seconds count.

During the in-water pool session, participants dressed in flight suits, shoes, and personal flotation devices must swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes. Lastly, they must climb into an inflatable 4-person life raft. Last task, deceptively simple on dry land, becomes a genuine test of determination when waterlogged clothing adds unexpected weight.

There were 24 participants who completed every requirement and are now certified for extended overwater operations. The multi-squadron turnout defines the Civil Air Patrol’s safety training culture. Our sincere thanks go out to the Marco Island YMCA who once again provided the pool facilities and lifeguard support, a partnership that has made the Marco Island Senior Squadron a regional host of choice for this specialized training.

Civil Air Patrol is the official U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and a nonprofit organization of citizen volunteers. Its three primary missions are emergency services (including search and rescue), aerospace education, and cadet programs. Over-Water Survival certification is just one of many proficiency standards CAP volunteers maintain to ensure they are ready to serve when called upon – whether that call comes over land, sea, or the waters between.