MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Miramar Marines can now complete their annual swim qualification requirement at the Miramar swim tank.

For approximately the past 12 months, Miramar personnel have had to head to other local Marine Corps installations to complete their annual swim qualification.

The air station did not have a qualified instructor to provide the training here, according to A.J. Ward, training area management officer here. Through an arrangement with one of the station sections, a qualified swim instructor is now on hand.

The annual swim training and qualification is intended to ensure Marines have the basic skills required to survive in the amphibious environments in which they are known to fight.

“Water survival training is used to teach or enhance a Marine’s skills, which are necessary to survive in an aquatic environment,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron C. Grijalva, combat water survival instructor, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Miramar.

Each swim qualification session begins with an hour of refresher training that covers the risks of an aquatic environment, personal survival techniques and lifesaving procedures with the Marines in the class.

“As Marines, we can potentially end up in situations that require the skills necessary to survive or help someone else survive in the water,” said Grijalva.

“It is important for Marines to understand water survival and have the confidence in their training to apply the skills they learn in our swim tank in the event they they are put into a bad situation,” continued Grijalva.

The instructor also goes over water survival techniques such as various breathing techniques, and hypothermia prevention.

Marines learn the basics of moving through water in combat gear, how to utilize their uniform as a life preserver, and tips for staying relaxed while in stressful water-related situations before testing their skills during the qualification tests.

The minimum qualification level for all Marines is level four.

There is a limit of ten  Marines per session unless the unit can provide a swim instructor. Units must also bring a certified corpsman to the session.

Marines must wear a set of clean cammies, boots, and a towel. Those who have previously qualified above level four must also bring their basic training record.

For more information and to schedule training, Marines should contact the swim tank here at 858-577-7918 or coordinate training through their unit training section.