Helicopter Pilot & Rescue Swimmer
Your Job: to Search and Rescue
"A Career of Saving Lifes"
Many Coast Guards train helicopter rescue swimmers and boat based rescue swimmers to enter the water to
assist survivors in distress, whereas military rescue swimmers, sometimes referred to as "SAR Wet Crewman"
(or CSAR Wet Crewmen), do most of their work from aircraft carriers.
U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers attracted international attention most recently during the rescue
operations following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana and the surrounding areas.
It was reported that in the first five days following Katrina, Coast Guard crews performed more than 36,000 rescue and hoist operations of Katrina victims stranded on rooftops and in flood water.
This was reportedly more than the Coast Guard had rescued worldwide in over 50 years.
Along with covering the history and the demanding training rescue swimmers must complete,
the specials also feature dramatic on-scene footage of several heroic rescues.