Drown-proofing has its roots from the Vietnam War when it was found that captured United States Navy SEALS were thrown into rivers with their hands and legs bound, and thus drown as they were not trained in drown proofing.
Naval Diver trainees will be trained to ensure nothing stands in their way in the rigorous Combat Diver Course (CDC), which is divided into four phases: Physical Phase, Diving Phase, Land Combat Training and Shipboard Competency.