Navy Divers (ATOM Study Guide)

Navy Divers (Steve Westh, Russell Vines, 2008) is a four-part documentary film following an intake of Australian sailors seeking to become Naval Clearance Divers.

This observational action-packed series is a warts-and-all account of what it takes to become a clearance diver in the navy, following twenty-seven men as they attempt to join the ranks of the navy's elite.

Plunging to death-defying depths, detonating bombs and launching covert attacks behind enemy lines makes navy clearance diving one of the toughest jobs in the world.

This elite force demands complete physical and mental strength, rock solid stamina and bravery. But above all, if you want to join this unit, you must conquer the navy's toughest and most extreme training program.

For more than nine months they endure one of the military's most extreme training programs. Only thirteen will make it.

A select, male-only group of sailors are pushed to their absolute limits on a gruelling regime that's designed to match the relentless demands and dangers of real-life operations.

From exhausting six kilometre swims across shark-infested waters to nerve-shredding bomb disposals at depths of up to 60m, each day presents a new and increasingly difficult test of skill, strength and endurance.

Monitored by doctors and psychologists, candidates must cope with constant pressure and stress while operating in an environment where one mistake can mean the difference between life and death.

Continual and ruthless assessment means that every day is a battle for survival. With one of the highest drop-out rates in the navy only the fittest and the strongest will succeed.

For every candidate the stakes are incredibly high.

For many it will be the crowning glory of their career and the ultimate reward for years of hard work and determination.

Fail and your entire naval career could be over.

The four 27-minute episodes are:

Episode 1, Hell Week, looks at the challenging preliminary training designed to weed out those who will not be able to handle the actual training regime.

Episode 2, Under Pressure, focuses on the training needed to undertake deepsea diving.

Episode 3, Breaking Point, shows the extraordinary stress that the candidates are subjected to, to find their individual breaking points and their commitment to the team.

Episode 4, Out With a Bang, looks at their training in the disposal of explosive munitions, and their final graduation.