MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- After three long, dry months, the 50-meter swimming pool here has finally re-opened its doors to Air Station personnel.

According to Sgt. Stephen Crahan, Marine Corps Water Survival Training instructor, the three-month closure was to repair cracks in the bottom of the pool, and switch the pool's sanitary chemical.

"We switched from bromine to chlorine because chlorine is much easier to monitor, making the pool safer," said Crahan.

The same services offered before the closure will still be offered in the newly repaired, safer eight-lane, olympic-size pool that gradually degrades from 4 to 12 feet.

"We offer Marine Corps Water Survival Training, which is basically the Marine Corps swim qualification, American Heart Saver certifications, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation certifications, unit physical training and Marine Corps Community Services lap swim," said Crahan.

Crahan stated that during unit PT at the pool, which runs Monday and Tuesday from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., units are not only limited to MCWST, as they can come for
recreational swimming organized by either the unit or the pool staff.

For training activities, the pool offers all the necessary equipment needed for swim qualifications such as packs, Kevlars and rubber rifles.

Crahan also noted that MCCS has a variety of swimming courses available during the week.

"Lap swim runs from 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and every weekday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.," he said. "During the summer, swimming lessons are also offered from MCCS, along
with other swimming programs."

With the exception of these MCCS swimming programs, unit PT and remedial swim training, Crahan noted that all unit training activities and qualifications need to be scheduled through the pools parent command, the Training Area Management Office.

Although most of the swimming programs do not start until the summer, swimming during other seasons can still be enjoyable, because the pool is usually kept at 80 degrees, according to Crahan.

The pool is open to all servicemembers and their families, and one guest can accompany any military member.

For more information on the swimming pool, call the pool at 577-7918, or stop by building 2395.