Good one Phrog, and about dunkers
phrogdriver said:
No more Dilbert Dunker? Has API completely done away with the legendary motivational events that made it cool, a kind of a unifying force in naval aviation? I mean, they canceled boxing before I got there. After I left, they made the sand O-course a non-graded event, then they took it away. Last time I was at mainside, it looked as though they eliminated the hard parts of the cross-country PRT, i.e. the sand and the somewhat hilly area by the pool. Now they're ditching the Dunker? What are they replacing it with? A class on safe homosexual relations?
That got a grin out of me.
Dilbert dunker: designed on either the T-6 (the old version, Yellow Peril) or the T-28, I'd have to ask a Swim Physiologist. The belt strap used in the Dilbert Dunker when I went through was identical to the T-28 harness hook up.
Note: No one has ever "ditched" a T-34C in the water. Most IP's and SNA's would probably choose to bail out rather than ditch. Anyone who knows different is invited to comment on that.
Helo Dunker:
More fun than a Disney E tickte ride. Only once in dozens of helo dunker runs did I ever have a problem. I once got trapped in one in the Fleet referesher (pre HEEDS days) by getting sloppy and releasing early. Went left, not right, lost my initial ref point, and sure as can be, got myself lost in less than 2 seconds. The diver must have seen me in trouble. He had me outta there in no time. I felt his pull in my neck (it was a black goggles run) and next I knew, cage was rising and my face broke water.
My other runs were far less interesting, and were good training. Forces you to calm yourself as you go upside down, and be methodical. Very good drill.
As the others guys say, do what the instructors say, hand over hand, and it is one of those things which "if it does not kill you, it makes you stronger." If you screw up at all, the divers will save your bacon: that is why they are there.
It can be fun . . . and if you are a decent swimmer, it is No Sweat!