"THE DROWNING CIRCLE OF WATER" - SCREENING EXERCISES/ACTIVITIES FOR MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, RESCUE UNITS, AND MORE

Disclaimer: The content provided by Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv on physical screening for military, law enforcement, and similar professions is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice, nor does it establish any professional relationship. Readers must obtain proper medical clearance and institutional authorization before applying any information. Dr. Sciamama-Saghiv disclaims all liability for injury, loss, or misuse of the material.

I am Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv, ex-Army officer and an expert of many years on screening processes (especially yet not limited to military with an emphasis on special forces; physical aspects). I offer consultation services and a variety of lectures related to the Israeli military. I would be happy to collaborate with you (if and when relevant). In the meanwhile, I invite you to read my blog post series on the screening processes for military, law enforcement, rescue units, first responders, etc.

In a previous series of blog posts, I have surveyed the multiple and diverse aspects of how to establish or improve a physically-based screening process for military, law enforcement, first responders, rescue units, and more. In this series we will focus on actual suggestions for exercises/activities that can be used in a screening process, and possible variations. Each blog post in the series will analyze the elements that the screening activity requires, "pros" and "cons", "do" and "don'ts", and how the screening activity serves as a tool in the hands of the evaluators.

In some cases, there is more than one way to conduct the exercise, analyze it, or experience it. We will survey both physically-based screening exercises/activities, and non-physical screening exercises/activities. Furthermore, many screening exercises are planned in a way that your ability to prepare for them is limited as much as possible (even with previous knowledge and practice) or simply are meant to examine if you meet the minimum requirements and nothing more.

This screening exercise is extremely intense and is a physically-based exercise/activity that is meant to determine the candidates' ability to deal with increasing physical difficulty and examine the candidates' strategic thinking, determination to be noticed, fitness, and teamwork. It is also great to see if candidates "pick up" on changing realities, circumstances, and rules of engagement. This screening activity conflicts candidates with extreme physical hardship, and their resolution to do well and excel, as well as reach a "mind over body" status of existence where physical pain is overcome in favor of performance.

Is further conflicts the candidates between their own good and the good of the person in front of them. This exercise also confronts the candidates with the natural and deep fear of drowning/dying, which elicits extreme fear, and vocalization of their stress by the candidates. Lastly, this screening exercise uses the idea of a circle to maximize the psychological and mental effects of the idea of "endlessness" and a "Sisyphus work" that has no clear reason or end-goal.

Physically-based screening processes

Not all people know how to swim, and even those who know how to swim, do not necessarily have the best or most efficient technique. Furthermore, we are not naturally "sea creatures" and most of us think about water as a fun visit to the pool or the beach. Yet, pretty easily and quickly, all these can be used against the candidates and in favor of the physical screening process.

Mandatory safety measures before beginning the screening exercise with the candidates:

1. Scan the area within the water (be it a pool or the sea) for any safety issues, predators (if out at see). Advised to use a pool!!!

2. Have at least two fully equipped and experienced safety divers within the water before the screening candidates get in. Consider having a third to rotate and prevent safety diver fatigue.

3. Make sure that the water allows for clear visibility or at least the ability to see if a candidate sinks to the bottom.

4. Have at least one medic per group in the immediate proximity (in case of a drowning).

The screening exercise begins with all candidates of a team/group getting into the deep end of the pool or at least to an area where none of them can easily reach the bottom surface of the pool (floor; ground), causing them to have to swim all the time. At a given signal, the candidates must arrange themselves in a circle where each candidate sees the back of the candidate in front, and put both hands on the shoulder/s of the candidate in front of them.

Instructions include:

1. Candidates may not talk while in the water unless screaming for the help of the instructors.

2. Head must stay above water at all times.

3. Candidates must have both hands on the shoulders of the candidate in front at all times.

4. A candidate that cannot meet instructions 1, 2 above for more than 5 seconds either loses points (if using a points system) is warned (number of warnings taken into consideration) or is excluded from the exercise.

5. Candidates that are helped by one or more of the safety divers within the pool (safety divers) are excluded from the exercise.

6. Throughout the exercise, give a verbal que to change/flip the direction of the circle, causing the "drowners" to become the "drownees". Advised to do this every 1-2 minutes to intensify the group dynamics and stress.

7. The instructors are suppose to increase the stress that the candidates experience by shouting at them, and indicating their violations of the rules. If the points system is used, they would indicate loss of points.

8. The instructors are encouraged to constantly find reasons why the candidates' attempts do not count (making them work for nothing).

The exercise demands that they each overcome their fears, stress, and fatigue, in order to work as one and not constantly drown the person in front of you. Please note that competitive swimmers, water-polo athletes, and well-trained swimmers (even if not competitive) tend to have a clear advantage during this exercise.

Please note - the image above was created with the help of chatGPT which was unable to cause the soldiers to be facing each others back and have their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. I chose to still use this illustration since it does give a bit of an understanding of what is expected nonetheless.

The screening exercise can be developed in multiple versions and/or directions. These may include the following:

1. Use of tougher terrain such the sea (motion of the waves, fear of predators, salt in to their eyes, or wallowing salty water).

2. Candidates can be asked to keep their location (easier) or keep advancing the circle forward while upright in the water (harder).

3. Candidates can be allowed to let go of one or both hands to ease their suffering (lose points for that? self-pity?)

4. Candidates can bein a swimming-suit only (easier) or in full uniform, boots, and even gear (extremely harder).

5. Candidates can be allowed to speak to each other - allows for stress relief and an element of coordination and teamwork.

6. Candidates can be tasked with singing - makes it harder to breath yet could make them focus less on the suffering and pain.

7. Candidates can have wrist and ankle weight attached to influence their technique for the worse.

8. Other?

Curious? need help? have questions? - contact me!

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