A Day in the Life of a United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer

Whether he's jumping out of a helicopter into the Atlantic Ocean to rescue boaters and swimmers in trouble, flying on a training mission along the East Coast or fixing and mending his water gear; Petty Officer Third Class John K. Opsal begins each shift prepared to save others. This is a day in the life of a United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer.

Joining the USCG in August 2007, Opsal underwent extensive and intense physical training, and after graduation he continued his career by enrolling in the Coast Guard's rescue swimmer program. Being in the water comes naturally to the San Diego native, who grew up surfing and water skiing, and Opsal was drawn to this profession from an early age.

"I joined to do rescue swimming," he says. "I knew right away that was what I wanted to do."