There are a few reasons why you should consider joining the Army's underwater army. These reasons can range from Da Vinci’s underwater army to the most challenging course available for combat divers in Army. You can even learn with dolphins These are five reasons why you should consider joining the Army's underwater army. It is the only way to be a combat diver.
Da Vinci's underwater army
Leonardo da Vinci invented the diving suit, a device which could have helped the Republic of Venice defeat the Ottoman navy at the turn of the 16th century. The Mediterranean Coast was in turmoil at the time. It was embroiled with a series of international border disputes that included a full-scale civil war.
Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance artist, was fascinated about the underwater world. To repel enemy ships, he envisioned a diving army. They would have diving suits that they could use to cut through enemy ships' shells. Although this plan didn't materialize, the underwater army that he created may have inspired the first scuba equipment.
Special Forces combat diving school in Florida Keys
You can join the Special Forces combat diving school located in the Florida Keys if you're interested in joining the military or learning how to do covert missions underwater. This course will teach you how to use heavy closed-circuit diving equipment. These equipments do NOT produce bubbles making them extremely clandestine and useful for covert missions. The training will teach students how to use a'mixed-gas' system such as a Draeger LARV which recycles the'mixed gases that a diver exhales into the cylinder. Students will also be taught about diving physics, and physiology. They will also learn how to treat a diver's injuries if they occur while underwater.
One of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces Underwater Operations schools (or SFUWO) is located in the waters around the Florida Keys. It is part of the U.S. Army’s Southeast Command. Since the 1960s, this facility has been in Keys operation. Combat diving training includes instruction in how to navigate on the seafloor. This training is important because a contractor once dug up munitions from the Civil War in the area. SFUWO divers were subsequently partnered with NOAA Blue Star, which is designed to protect marine environments from harmful materials.
Toughest course for combat divers in the Army
Combat diving is a tactical aspect of combat diving. The Mark 25 Draeger Oxygen Rebreather underwater breathing apparatus is also taught in the course. It emits no harmful bubbles, so operators can swim unassisted. Combat divers learn how to navigate oceans and implement various insertion- and extraction strategies. This course is often the most difficult for combat divers.
Falkenstine completed the Combat Diver Qualification Course over seven weeks and was then invited back to take the Supervisor Course. This prepares them for the role of directing combat dive operations. Combat diving is physically demanding, but it can also be mentally challenging. Falkenstine acknowledges the challenges of combat diving, but feels honored to be part in such an elite group. She said she is astonished at the camaraderie between combat divers.
Training with dolphins
It is not a novel idea to create an underwater army using dolphins. The Soviet Union has used dolphins in training its sailors. It also uses seals or other marine mammals in part of its training program. Though the program was discontinued after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian navy resumed its training program a few years ago.
Dolphins are faster than humans and have better swim and diving abilities. They can also dive without suffering from decompression sickness, making them excellent patrol animals. However, ethical concerns surround the use and possession of dolphins to be used as weapons. Animal rights activists long demanded the end of this program.
Dive in the Gulf of Mexico: Dangers
Oil from the Gulf of Mexico has leaked into the waterways, contaminating them with liquid oil and volatile, inflammable gases. These chemicals are harmful to marine life and those working on the front lines of clean-up. Avoid areas that could contain oil if you dive in the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite being equipped with sophisticated equipment for breathing, commercial divers still find it difficult to navigate the waters. The water temperature is low, the currents and visibility are often poor. Divers need to be aware of sand and mud as well as sharks or stinging fauna. Additionally, they may be exposed to high baric pressure which can lead to death.