Navy SSU Deep Sea Divers Conduct Cold Weather Training in Midwinter Sea

Navy deep-sea divers plunged into the midwinter sea to undertake cold-weather training.

On the 16th, the third day of training, deep-sea divers (SSU) are diving into the winter sea during the fins swimming event, one of the triathlon battalion selection competitions. (Photo by the Navy)

The Navy announced on the 17th that over 120 deep-sea divers, including about 90 members of the Navy Special Warfare Flotilla's Sea Rescue Unit (SSU) and about 30 members of the 1st and 2nd Fleet Rescue Operation Companies, conducted cold-weather immersion training over four days starting from the 14th in the East, West, and South Seas.

Held ahead of the solar term Daehan (Great Cold), this training was promoted to establish a rescue operation posture enabling deep-sea divers to overcome physical and mental limits and carry out maritime rescue missions in extreme conditions. On the first day of training, the deep-sea divers performed SSU special calisthenics and long-distance group running; on the second day, they engaged in scuba proficiency training, simulated underwater exploration inside ship hulls, and search and rescue of drowning victims.

On the third day, they conducted fin swimming, rubber boat maneuvers, underwater rope tying, and pipe disassembly and assembly tasks, while also holding a 'Ironman Company' selection competition.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Young-nam, commander of the Special Warfare Flotilla's Rescue Operation Battalion who led the training, said, "By continuously conducting high-intensity training similar to real combat, we will do our best to protect the lives of the people and the safety of our comrades at sea."

Established in September 1950 with the founding of the Maritime Operations Unit, the Navy Sea Rescue Unit is a special forces unit that performs missions at national-level maritime disaster sites, including maritime life rescue, search and salvage of sunken vessels, and rescue of distressed surface ships and submarines.