Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An Airman assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., jumps into a pool during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. The position reduces the chance of injury from any unseen obstacles underwater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Tech. Sgt. Michael Slaton, 2nd Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, instructs aircrew during water survival training in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Slaton gave aircrew steps to escape from underneath a parachute canopy after ejecting into a body of water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An aircrew member from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., adjusts a classmate’s life preserver vest during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La. March 15, 2016. Life vests carry two carbon dioxide cartridges used to inflate its flotation device, capable of supporting up to 500 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An aircrew member prepares to jump into a pool during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. The class provided aircrew an opportunity to practice using safety equipment crucial to survival in case of aircraft ejection over a body of water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Staff Sgt. Matthew Mete, 2nd Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, oversees an aircrew member evading a parachute canopy during a water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew were taught to keep calm and focused in order to escape the parachute. After a successful ejection, evading the parachute in a water landing scenario is the most crucial step to increase survivability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An aircrew member simulates evading a parachute canopy during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew practiced crucial water survival skills in a safe, controlled environment supervised by SERE specialists. The canopy has 28 lines that have the potential to entangle during the landing process. The class provided aircrew the opportunity to experience extreme conditions and reduce the possibility of disorientation during a real world scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Staff Sgt. Matthew Mete, 2nd Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, swims towards a simulated obstacle during a water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew trained with a variety of rescue devices, from flotation devices to Coast Guard rescue baskets. Using real world devices provided aircrew the most authentic training available in a safe environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Staff Sgt. Matthew Mete, 2nd Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, swims towards a life raft during a water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Mete demonstrated the correct way to board a life raft without causing punctures or knicks. Aircrew deploy the life raft as part of a descend checklist after aircraft ejection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An aircrew member prepares to board a life raft during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. The life raft increases survivability by keeping aircrew out of the water while waiting for rescue. Survivability is increased exponentially in colder environments by decreasing the risks of hypothermia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Aircrew members approach a rescue basket during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew practiced proper grounding procedures making sure the rescue basket was safe and free of static electricity prior to approaching the device. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An Aircrew member enters a rescue basket during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew learned boarding procedures for the Coast Guard rescue baskets such as correct harness anchor points and hand signals used in a real-world scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Aircrew members reach for rescue devices during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. Aircrew learned how to use a variety of rescue devices such as life rafts, rescue baskets and forest penetrators in addition to improvised rope hoist techniques used for extraction. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

An Airman assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepares for a simulated rescue basket extraction during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters use rescue baskets as a primary extraction tool. Aircrew practiced correct grounding techniques used to avoid static electricity and rescue basket boarding techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)

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Barksdale aviators hone water survival skills

Published March 22, 2016
By Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Shreveport, La. -- An Airman assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., jumps into a pool during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape water survival class in Shreveport, La., March 15, 2016. The position reduces the chance of injury from any unseen obstacles underwater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha)