u/PuzzleheadedMess4025

I’m attending STCW Basic Safety Training July 27th at Chesapeake Maritime Institute in Norfolk, Virginia, and I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what it’s actually like from people who’ve done it.
I know the basics of what’s included (firefighting, survival at sea, first aid, etc.), but I’d like to hear what it’s actually like in practice.

I'm pretty fit and come from a football background, I workout daily, and I'm used to hot environments from welding as well as having to have breathing restricted in extreme heat. But is it really that hard as people say it is?

The only part i've experienced is dawning an immersion in less than a minute, jumping into water, swimming my way to a life-raft and lifting myself up, which was from Tongue Point Job Corps.

I’m attending STCW Basic Safety Training July 27th at Chesapeake Maritime Institute in Norfolk, Virginia, and I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what it’s actually like from people who’ve done it.
I know the basics of what’s included (firefighting, survival at sea, first aid, etc.), but I’d like to hear what it’s actually like in practice.

I'm pretty fit and come from a football background, I workout daily, and I'm used to hot environments from welding as well as having to have breathing restricted in extreme heat. But is it really that hard as people say it is?

The only part i've experienced is dawning an immersion in less than a minute, jumping into water, swimming my way to a life-raft and lifting myself up, which was from Tongue Point Job Corps.

What are some things you all enjoy doing while you're off the ship, on vacation, etc? I've seen many mariners say that once they come home, they avoid anything to do with the water since they have to deal with it while working.