Waterboarding
Of all the training methods outlined in this work, the Waterboarding Drill requires the greatest amount of time for setup and takedown. The investment is worth it as this exercise can also provide some of the most interesting results.
The basic premise of waterboarding is to set up an obstacle course made of water. More specifically, the primary obstacle is to avoid getting soaked. Practically everyone has seen lawn sprinklers arching water in various patterns onto thirsty yards. Many of us enjoyed playing in the cold shower as young children during hot summer months. Watching my children trying to avoid the sprinklers actually gave me the idea to use this method for training.
There are numerous variations to the patterns and speed at which these devices deliver H2O. Many are adjustable. These common yard tools can be arranged in a pattern that forces movement, timing, and shot selection for an aspiring lead merchant. If the operator doesn’t execute, he/she gets wet. While it may seem like a minor annoyance at first glance, you would be surprised at how many people miss an easy shot because they were hit with a jet of cold water right before pulling the trigger.
Like the Flying Saucers Drill, waterboarding requires more than just an open range for shooting. A water outlet (spigot) is obvious, as well as several feet of hose and a few sprinkler heads. Different spray patterns and varied timing increases the stressors and adds to the value of the drill.
Keep in mind that there are two broad categories of sprinklers – revolving and sweeping. Revolving heads shoot water in a circular pattern, normally rotating 360 degrees every so many discharges. Some higher end models allow for the rotation to be restricted to less than a full circle. Sweeping sprinklers spray several smaller jets of water in a slow, back and forth pattern. Again, many of these can be adjusted to limit the coverage area.
Using one of these types of sprinklers can provide a challenge for the novice executing this drill. However, consider the challenge of a course comprised of multiple sprinklers.
Tip: One piece of advice is to purchase sprinkler heads that have both an inlet and outlet so they can be strung in a series.
Another option is a manifold. This inexpensive piece of plastic is normally available in most hardware stores and allows several individual hoses to be connected to one spigot.
One of the simplest uses of water is to reinforce the need to keep the minimal amount of body parts exposed while using cover.
In the diagram above (Figure 9.1), a simple lawn sprinkler can be used to teach someone the art of shooting around cover without exposing his body. This lesson, for some odd reason, always proves to be more difficult than anyone would imagine. People always tend to stick out an arm, leg, knee, or foot. This is, of course, a very bad habit.
Over the years, I have tried several methods intended to hammer home the point of not exposing one’s body to high velocity lead. Some examples of my attempts include shooting at the operator with Airsoft plastic BB rifles, throwing tennis balls, and lots of yelling. To date, I haven’t found anything as effective as cold water.
Another utilization of water for training is what we have termed the Aquacourse Drill. As the name implies, an obstacle course using various sprinkler heads is constructed, and the operators
run the gauntlet. Constructing a useable course takes some time and experience. The first few times I attempted this, the frustration level almost defeated the implementation. It seems the combination of sprinklers and timing was either too difficult or too easy for the operator. After several attempts, I finally got it down, and it has become an effective training tool for
movement and shooting.
The goal of the Aquacourse is to force the shooter to think ahead, or plan their actions. If you visualize the dry areas as cover, the old rule of “Never leave good cover until you know your next position,” is enforced. The Aquacourse also imposes the variable of timing into the shooter’s OODA loop. As stated before, avoiding a stream of water isn’t the same as avoiding a stream of enemy fire – but it’s as close as we can safely accomplish in training.
The previous diagram (Figure 9.2) depicts an example of an Aquacourse. Three targets (right) are set up with proper safety consideration for hits, strays and the chance that the operator will slip and send the round high.
Three sprinkler heads are connected, two of which are sweeping (the dark areas indicate coverage), and one is rotating.
The operator begins at the start box and proceeds through the numbered positions. The instructor should know the course timing well enough to signal the start at the appropriate sprinkler position.
As the operator moves from positions 1 through 3, a required number of shots at each respective target should be made.
Depending on water pressure, sprinkler design, and length of hose available, the course should be set up and timed to make it a challenge. Anyone could run to position 1, fire the prerequisite number of rounds, patiently wait for an opening at position 2 and proceed. This is not the point of the course. As you set up the Waterboarding Drill, make it difficult. Time and cold water are stressors and being able to perform while under adverse conditions is the objective.
One of the surprises we uncovered while using this technique was the variable of mud. After your Aquacourse has been running for a while, most ground will become saturated and muddy - at minimum slick. A lack of sure footing, while moving with a weapon and heavy gear, is another beneficial experience for the operator’s OODA loop.
One word of warning about using the Aquacourse:
Don’t attempt this method unless the operators have developed proper weapon’s safety skills.
People will slip, fall, slide, and their bodies contort in comedic fashion if their footing becomes unstable. The first time I had an operator fall backwards and discharge a weapon upon impact resulted in an immediate change in the prerequisites required before running the course. Fortunately, the shot was harmless, but the point remains – safety is always paramount. If you haven’t developed a proper safe off, fire, safe on habit, you should avoid waterboarding. This automatic manipulation of the weapon’s safety is another difference between a Shootist and a rifleman.
There is an additional benefit to the Aquacourse that wasn’t obvious at first – the impact of water on equipment. I’ve seen optics fog or become obscured by moisture. Red dots, marketed as waterproof, have failed. One operator’s magazine pouches became soaked and the material expanded causing the spare mags to become stuck in his load vest. Some eye protections (glasses) become unusable, while other models seem to have natural run off. Steady rain on a field hat always makes for an interesting complication, as water running down the back of the operator’s neck causes a distraction.
Depending on the conditions, rifles can become caked with mud or wet sand. Boots are always an interesting topic of conversation as well as gloves and how they react when wet.
Many operators complain about the mud bath, to which I always respond, “Are you only going to fight during fair weather?”
Running the Aquacourse always raises the question of ponchos or rain gear. While there is no doubt having such items in your kit is important, the truth of the matter is that very few professionals want to wear such equipment in a fight. You can figure this out quickly on your own. Set up and execute an Aquacourse wearing your rain gear and require a mag change at one of the stations. I still like to run with a poncho on now and then just to get used to the gear.