Special tactics airman drowned after ‘buddy pair’ system not followed in 2,000-yard swim
Stephen Losey
The training swim test in which a special tactics airman drowned March 19 was conducted without the usual “buddy team†system typical for such swims, an Air Force investigation found.
The report did not reach any conclusions about exactly what caused Airman 1st Class Keigan Baker to drown in St. Andrews Bay, Florida, near Panama City, while attempting to swim 2,000 yards.
But, it said, the rules of the combat dive course stipulate that such 2,000-yard swims should be conducted with each swimmer paired up with and tethered to another swimmer of comparable ability to ensure a swimmer doesn’t get separated and into trouble. That was not done in this case.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/09/18/special-tactics-airman-drowned-after-buddy-pair-system-not-followed-in-2000-yard-swim/
