As a PADI qualified scuba diver, I have more than a passing interest in all things to do with the underwater aspects of the US Navy SEALs, I have wondered for a long time just how extreme their dive training must be. Today, I discovered a civilian diving company that is offering authentic SEAL dive courses to the public.

This looks like quite good fun, it’s a shame I don’t live in the USA, otherwise I would definitely give this a try. The course includes a full mock-up of a SEAL mission that needs to be completed by the group to earn their certificate.

Although this looks like a really fun thing to do, I can’t help but think this is nowhere near a strenuous as real SEAL training, just look at the prerequisites, you don’t even need to be a certified diver before you take the course. Do you think that real SEALs just jump in the water a day before they are sent out on duty and taught how to use a tank of compressed air strapped to their backs to breathe?

I think the real SEALs undergo far more complex and demaniding training, this is just a bit of a sales gimmick from a dive shop that wants to give it’s customers something different. Nothing wrong with that, as I have said, I would give it a try myself if I lived locally. Anyone thinking this is in any way realistic is probably mistaken though, you can’t learn how to dive like a SEAL in 2 days!

Actually, I have not posted anything much about the specialised diving equipment that is used by the Navy SEALs, I think that will be my next post, a description of some of the more extreme diving kit the SEALs are trained to use.

So check back tomorrow for an informative post about life as a SEAL diver, and the amazing array of equipment you need to master before you become one.