Top 3 Tools I Learned In Navy SEAL Training 

When practicing life saving skills one of my instructors was loudly saying “you panic he dies” repeatedly as he walked up and down the rows of trainees. Fast forward about a decade. I’d been asleep about two hours after working a 12 hour graveyard shift. My wife burst into our room carrying our infant son (who was limp and blue) screaming that he wasn’t breathing. As I took him from her I felt fear welling up in me. At that moment I heard my trainers voice “you panic he dies” I immediately became calm and went to work trying to save my sons life. Thank God I succeeded. We just bought him his first puppy this week.

In my opinion 2 Timothy 1:7 is the best self talk available. I repeat this verse to myself when dealing with stress, negativity and doubt. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind.

The rule of 3. You can live 3 weeks without food. 3 days without water. 3 hours without shelter (in an extreme environment). 3 minutes without oxygen. 3 seconds without hope or a plan. (That last one is THE most important). Stay present & stay positive, y’all!

Served on submarines 21 yrs, used to take you guys on missions now and then. Was always amazed at your focus, no bull crap attitutes and excellent gear you were issued. Really glad we have warriors like you guys on our side.

i am a cave diver and bodybuilder. i can confirm every word you said. avoid negative words, even in your thoughts. visualize everything. control your breath = control your heartbeat. wise words, sir!

I've been dealing with a lot since my son died a year ago and I greatly appreciate this video. Thanks brother 🙏

Going through my cancer treatments for head & neck cancer I kinda used these same techniques to get through the most barbaric treatment in the cancer world ! I’m here 5 yrs later medically cured ! Great advise sir your a true Patriot and a fine example of an American 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

One of the main ways to combat anxiety and stress is to completely cut alcohol out of your life . Cigarettes will also cause anxiety. Believe it or not marijuana can cause stress and anxiety as well. A healthy diet and some good ol physical exertion are probably the two best ways to combat anxiety and or stress

At an earlier point in my life I took scuba diving training and became a certified dark water rescue diver on a fire department dive squad. That sort of training will teach you mental self control and how to rely upon the training you have to deal with problem situations. With dark water diving, you can't see anything, thus we did all our pool training blindfolded. If you think jumping into the deep end with hands and feet tied is mentally challenging, try doing it completely blindfolded. But that training was the BEST thing I ever did as, along with prior martial arts training, gave me the mental focus to stay calm and maintain self control in situations where panic tends to set in. Things can and will go wrong at unexpected times. But by staying calm, maintaining self control, and following your training, most of the time you can successfully deal with the issues that arise. In one memorable training session I was blindfolded as usual and following a rope course through all sorts of underwater obstacles. One obstacle was a tire suspended in the water, with the rope going through the tire. This meant I had to remove all my scuba gear and push it through the tire ahead of me because the tire wasn't large enough diameter to allow a human wearing scuba gear to make it through. This simulated narrow spots such as might be encountered in a cave or a sunken boat. I was able to get my gear off, push it through the tire, and hold onto my BC and tank with one hand as I wiggled my body through the tire. At about halfway through the tire, the weight of my equipment stretched the air hose too far and it pulled loose from the regulator in my mouth. Without the air hose connected, my next breath was nothing but a huge mouthful of water! With no air to breath, broken scuba equipment that I wasn't even wearing, stuck underwater with a tire around the middle of my waist, and being blindfolded, if there was ever a situation that would create panic, that was it. But I didn't panic. Why? I retained mental self control and let me training take over. First I simply spit the water out. While sill needing a breath of air, I already knew I had about 30 seconds to work to get loose before becoming dizzy from lack of air. Second, I let go of all my scuba gear. It could be retrieved later. Third, I dropped my weight belt, which gave me instantly more buoyancy, allowing my body to move a little bit closer to the surface while I was getting myself free. And thus free of the gear, I simply pushed backward against the tire to free my body and headed to the surface for air. All this was done blindfolded but making myself buoyant let me know which way was up. Its amazing how fast all of this can be done almost without thinking if you ignore the lack of vision and the presence of the water but merely concentrate on getting free while following standard training procedures. The point of this is to mentally realize that being in a predicament DOES NOT mean you are not still in control of the outcome. Keep your wits about you at all times. And as for the video demonstrating drown proofing, one thing not shown is the fact that once the push off the bottom raises you to the surface and you inhale a large quantity of air, all that you need to do to REMAIN at the surface is lay back with your nose barely out of the water and stay still, floating right at the surface. You will be able to breathe freely and are then in no danger of drowning despite your hands and feet still being tied. You won't sink back to the bottom either. The bobbing up and down back to the bottom was just to show that he had mentally mastered the situation and was not afraid to go back down. So if you learn to deal with water emergencies, there really is no need for panic. Nice video!

I felt like I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown from working and never catching a break. Been working overtime for 6 months just to make it back and forth to work. This video alone pulled me into a better mindset. You're a tremendous teacher. Subscribed.

I took lifeguard class when I was in high school. They taught us to be drown proof. I since have become a firefighter. I know how to find a peace bubble. No matter what is happening around me I am in that bubble. For me being at peace in the moment is the thing that keeps my head straight. And the breathing works well when your air starts running out in our tank. I have been Safety Officer for 10 years and a firefighter/EMT for almost 20 years.

My dad was in Force Recon back in the late 50’s / early 60’s and he has the same mindset as this gentleman.

I spent 8 years in the navy....one thing i know for sure deep down into my core....i will never, ever die from drowning! Thats how confident and relaxed i am in water.

Mastering the mind is perhaps the most difficult thing any man can achieve. The benefits are astounding

So my friend I am 67 years old. I’ve seen some stuff in my life, I am loving your videos I learn something new every day. Thank you for your service.

When I was on the YMCA swim team back in the 60s it used to be a regular exercise to tie up someone's hands and legs before tossing them in the deep end of the swimming pool. It's amazing how buoyant you are and how with just a little patience you can get to the surface and then over to the shallow end of the pool.

I have severe claustrophobia, just the breathing techniques alone, and trying to concentrate and keep myself calm. Thank you very much. It’s actually helped quite a bit.

After divorce and losing my career as a deputy shetiff in one fail swoop, i spent the nxt 10yrs letting that 'inside voice' absolutely ruin me. The self talk will be whats saves/helps me. Thank u.

After 15 years working for a company in the I.T. department I was laid off last month. So I can relate to stress. Thank you.

Hey brother, must have fate. I had a total knee replacent surgery this morning and, not going to lie, was a bit anxious about it. The procedure, getting off the table alive, the rehab, all that stuff didn't bother me, my blood pressure did! I'm one of those "white coat syndrome" dudes and watching your video, I mean dude, just watching this and recalling it my mind while they put the cuff on me and left it there until they wheeled me in, was a God send! People watch this stuff and you left impression. Thanks man! You have no idea how grateful I am for your time and words! My youngest is a officer in the Marines and this is the kind of shit that I send to him and he sponges it up. You're damn straight he's gonna watch this and you! All the best to you and yours!

I’ve heard of the breathing technique since it’s emphasized in martial arts. Visualization for prepping scenarios in gun battles, but the self talk technique and watching what you take in via media daily really struck a cord. Thank you for sharing your expertise and demonstrating it.

I am a vet and really am glad that I have taken time to listen to you speak. Your pre thoughts that you used in Pre Buds are outstanding and can be used in everything you do. I think it will even help my golf game by knocking out those negative thoughts and remain positive can only make me better. Thanks

This is Incredible.....Chadd is sharing life changing secrets he picked up from goin thru Seal Grinder & passes them on to all of us for FREE....This is an Awesome channel...Thk you Chadd ..gonna order a hat 👍

Stumbled onto your channel by chance. Really enjoying the videos. My dad was career Navy (RIP/22) and I am an RN that worked in a correctional setting for 28 years. This is FANTASTIC advice that can be applied by so many individuals under so many situations. I've used these techniques for a long time, and they damn straight work. Great video and thank you for your service, Sir.

I ran into burning buildings for 30 yrs, been trapped twice and I can honestly say the swimming pool would freak me out.

Diving while constant ballast freediving , or on Scuba . I have gotten myself outta some bad spots . I think the thinking process you explained best describes for myself how I survived time an again. It also happens on land under stress. This is something that you shared with us that we can hang on to and teach others . DEEP !

Respect. Most of these lessons can be applied to all of our everyday lives, drown proofing is just the extreme. I learned a lot from this

You have no idea how much I needed to listen to this today. Not in a great place and have some major challenges in front of me that there’s no way around but through. Thank you and please keep the great content coming!

Thanks so much. I am on the cusp of a new, challenging and frankly scary endeavour. The tools you mention are things I have used in the past and I will use them for sure in my coming project. Cheers man!

Absolutely love your content, your energy, and I love you brother. God bless.

Just came across this video. I think you've touched on a good topic of overcoming fear and anxiety in stressful situations. Thank you.

Glad I found this site you are calm collected and make sense regarding stress. I have to incorporate this in my life. Thank you

Thanks for the videos, Chadd! My 3 of 7 Project caps arrived and I wear them with pride. You're a great source of inspiration. I also bought the NUFF Said running course it has really helped me. My goal is to complete 50k by the end of July. I'm well past half way sometimes it is challenging with the hot weather etc but it comes down to breathing and just focusing on that NEXT STEP. Don't ring the bell! Take quitting off the table man! Much respect!

Amazing endurance! Hats OFF to Navy Seals!

Thank you for your time brother. I appreciate it.

Brilliant. Much respect to you Sir. Seal training takes bravery & self mastery !

I’m currently suffering with stress and anxiety which I do struggle with. After watching your video I’ve picked up some great tips that I will look to implement next time I either feel a panic attack coming on or if I’m put in a stressful situation. Thank you

I remember practicing this in high school in preparation for the air force. I would do it in ten minute segments. Of course I had a trainer present just in case. First three times I freaked after a couple minutes and had to be pulled out. I recall my friend telling me to pretend no one was there to rescue me - that sort of forced me to stay calm…the alternative of course being death. Eventually got so good at it I was able to maneuver myself all over the pool tied up after an evolution. Haven’t done it in decades, though. Pretty sure I’d drown now after a few seconds 😅

Love the series! I have shared it with several coworkers (firefighters). Thank you!

Thank you Brother. Sometimes you don’t realize how down you may be until you stop and think. It’s important for self care. You have to recognize- to correct. It’s always for you.

Thanks for the sharing of good advice! Awareness of where one's thoughts are is a bit like keeping check of one's cars' speed.

I’m saving this to use when I train and compete!!!!! THANK YOU 🥋

The conversation inside the head is the utmost importance I cannot stress enough from my point of view of how right you are about that

Greetings from Brazil! Great video! I've always admired the US Navy Seals, especially since I learned about how you guys train. I gotta say, drown proof totally freaked me out, since I'm not a water guy myself. The way you describe how to manage the stress and stay calm during the exercise is incredible and inspiring. Like so many people nowadays, I struggle with anxiety and stress issues so I thank you for this video, I'll apply these tools to my life. Thank you!

I subscribed the very 1st time I saw your 1st video when it came out. At least I thought it was but the important part is that you give such great life lessons and what's really amazing is many of these techniques were trained by the Navy SEAL's to help its members believe in themselves and their skills and abilities to the maximum degree possible!!! To succeed in combat, yet many, if not all of these lessons are the same needed to succeed in our daily lives and they're important enough to you that you continue to put these lessons to work for you in your daily life because they work! It's so cool that you share these important lessons for success to help others work through their daily lives to the best degree possible and pass on what you know because you care about people. Thanks for your service and for being a great human!!!

Man, I’m digging this content. Chadd, can you do a video on your plate carrier set-up and battle belt?

Great training tips, Chadd! And, "thank you," for your service.....

Thank you for the brilliant words. This is exactly the challenge I have to get mastered. Got the adhd and the cptsd and I learned that at 60. I though I was just a jack ass sometimes. I'm going to take your advice to heart. I hope it works. I've have the therapy and the meds....man I gotta get control especially in stressful situations. Thank you brother

This is what I’ve used for years when weight lifting competition. An now that I’m old I use it when I attempt new PRs in the gym for my age. Just bench 285 this week I’m 64

I am a day trader and this is what I aim to apply in my life. Its beautiful how positive self talk works

At truck school I learned the mantra Take your time and Think. Got me through many a stressful moment over the road. Good tip on drown proofing which I used when surfing.

Thank you. You are very inspiring and setting a positive example.

Awesome video. I would like to see a video of some of the dive gear and techniques you used in the Teams though. That's something you don't see much of.

Outstanding!

Thank you sir for this!!! My 19 year old will leave January 4th 2023 for Navy boot camp hoping then to make it through pre buds and so on to become a Navy Seal. I’m thankful I found you on you tube as Im try to prepare myself for this journey as his mother. My son Jordan has come to learn a lot of what to expect but this info you gave right here is great! I will be sharing it with him. I’ve been trying to find a believer to help encourage him be prepared. With His Savior, he absolutely has al the strength available to him. I’ll be watching a lot of your videos. Thank you again!

I have done the box breathing or 4x4 breathing. Has been a big help for me when needing to stay calm in tough situations. Great stuff

When I was 4 I was at the shore, and I was allowed to walk to the shallow float and jump off - did it for weeks. One day I was doing it and then lay down on the float and didn't realize 1 the tide was rising. 2 the float had pivoted. I jumped off and the depth was way over my head, and I didn't know how to swim. I actually pushed off the bottom and realized I could push myself up high enough to get another breathe. After a dozen or so times it dawned on me, I just got closer to the float - thought about it within a few more bobs and then figured out how to touch bottom and push up and forward. I made it back to the float. Took a long run and jump towards shore - I knew if it was still over my head, I could deal with it. At age 4 I learned about panic and control. The next morning my granny had me taking swimming lessons and by the end of Summer I was in a swim competition against 7-year old's and came in 3rd. Basically, since then nothing makes me panic.

I am a therapist, and I teach this stuff all the time. When i got back from Iraq.i thought it was " goofy" as shit, but they can be quite powerful. However, you have to practice it. A good breath technique to engage more of your parasympathetic nervouse sytem is 5 seconds in using the diaphram to pull it deep and 7 seconds out or shorter if that is too long but extending that last breath a second either way. Great seeing you promote this. When i get vets saying this is "foo foo" shit, i can tell them it is good enough for Navy SEALS, 😆.

Great video! I’mexperiencing anxiety and I need this bad. I’m going to,start using these tips literally now!

Thank you Chadd. I really needed to hear this today

I just want to tell you thank you for your service and I am enjoying your channel. I am a 21 year retired Seabee steelworker in the Navy. Later part of my time I became a drug and alcohol counselor. After retiring in 2003 I worked as a drug and alcohol therapist at the VA at the Bay Pines VA medical center. I just want to say that I used the same methods to teach veterans how to turn their lives around and stay in recovery for the long haul. I found it very interesting that we used the same tools that you was give in pre - BUDS. One more thing, I worked at the amphibious base Coronado 1977-82 building and repairing causeway bridges. I enjoyed watching you guys train in the air and the sea and was very impressed. I also would talk with some of your guys that worked with the dolphins right next to our steel shop. Peace and God bless.

I learned these tools in high school sports football and wrestling. Then I served 4 years in the corps and utilized them there and now in life as a father of 5 and being married for 28 years! My point? It never ends! BUT you got this!

Talking deeply from your heart and mind! Thanks a lot for that valuable sharing!

Good job brother. I will definitely give them a try. Hopefully it will help me with the stress. God bless you and yours and God bless America 🇺🇸

I’m a therapist and I practice these techniques (not the drown proofing) for myself and with my clients. I will be sharing this with all my clients.

It's nice having a legit warrior I can watch with my sons. Much appreciated Battle 🇺🇸💪💯

Thank you. I learn from every one you’ve done I share this with my children. 💪

Thank you for the video. I have practiced this training technique in the past Not with my hands and feet tied up but the breathing and learning to slow the heart rate and clam myself in stressful situations like that. 😊

God bless you Chadd

Thank you! This is as much for me at age 63 as it is for my 16 year old son.

Thank you so much for this.

Thank you Chadd, very helpful and appreciated!

One and two I can confirm, having done them in combination as I was talking out loudly to myself about how I would get out of a nasty situation and why I would be able to pull it off... that breathing exercise seems to be interesting as well though, as I caught my self repeatedly breathing like moron in high stress situations

Thanks brother I needed this video. I’ve been struggling with anxiety and stress in certain situations. I tend to loose confidence in my abilities when there is a greater risk factor for failure involved, even though I’m completely capable of doing the task successfully.👍

Thank you for the knowledge transfer. This is gold!

Thank you brother joining the navy and taking these tools with me. God bless you brother

I doubt I would ever make it through BUD/s training. Even in my best shape. I don’t think I ever wanted to do the job of being a SEAL and that is why I wouldn’t make it. I highly respect anyone that goes through this training. I realize you have to WANT to be a SEAL and do whatever it takes to do that job. Amazing people that go through this. 👍🏻

Excellent brother. I’ve been using the breathing for anxiety attacks. It’s working. Thank you.

You experience wjth this makes it look easy. That, in turn, makes it seem possible. RESPECT.

Really useful tools here. Visualization is so powerful. It's amazing how well it works.

I did some cross training with you SEALs back in 99 on Coronado when i was with 2-5 out of oceanside. Im glad i never tried to get to where yall are, even as a MARSOC Marine, i cant hold a candle to yall. Respect.

I swim a few times a week at least 1,000 meters on an average workout and I could feel the anxiety just thinking about a 50 meter swim under water that’s an extremely long distance without breathing. Wow. The pool where I swim is also used by the Air National guard rescue swimming. I’m always amazed at their level of fitness and training. AND NO I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT TIE MYSELF UP AND JUMP IN A POOL. Your a different breed. Thank you for your service.

WOW 😯 just WOW! God bless you Brother! Thank you so much for your help! 🙏

Excellent video…thanks for the tips on dealing with stress👍

Thank you sir for all your sacrifices, much much respect to you and your brothers in arms. God bless.

!st of all thank you for your service, thank you for you sharing your experiences and for giving us important knowledge that most people don't think about or take for granted. You are a professional, an inspiration and a great teacher. I have just come along and clicked one of your videos and am now a subscriber. Keep up the great work!

Outstanding (and automatically usable) advise. God bless you, my brother.

Awesome man, thank you for sharing this stuff, God Bless!

Thanks for this video. Came across this channel and have watched a few others. I've practiced these 3 tools for past week and it does help. My mind trails off very quickly so I'm gonna keep trying. Brain, visualize, breath

Awesome u rock your channel has really helped thanks for your service and your channel

This information has been a good reminder, and added new knowledge. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing this. More people need to learn to not freak out when under stress. I have by no means reached the stage where I am unfazed by everything but I certainly got a lot calmer. Having a stress reaction is perfectly normal and it taps right into that good ole fight or flight caveman response. As you said: First thing to go completely out the window is rational thought. No matter if you were tossed into the water with your hands and feet tied together or got an email with potentially disastrous (for your career) content - there does not seem to be a lot of delta between the two as far as gut reaction goes. I distinctly remember feeling a panic attack coming on during lifeguard training - which is absolute childs play compared to BUD/S - when our group had to don some heavy cotton coveralls, button them up and were tossed in the water with instructions to get out of the coverall under water. That was....an interesting experience that I do not particularly care to repeat but it was certainly educational. That is when I first learned about the mantra "if you want to be fast, you better slow down" (of which countless variations exist). Ever since, whenever I come across something that causes me stress or anxiety in my relatively sheltered, comfy civilian kind of life, I always take a metaphorical breath and consciously remind myself that I am not in immediate physical danger. Whatever just happened or why it happened, I probably cannot undo it - so I usually do not bother thinking about those aspects. Then I go right into problem solving mode, trying to figure out what the next best thing to do is in order to cope with or resolve the situation. I usually dont deal with the "why" until a lot later when there is more clarity and some of the dust has settled. In my view, too many people try to understand first why something happened, which in the moment, under stress and not being able to think straight, is time wasted that you could spend working on a solution (or at least an idea of a solution). This has worked for me in most cases, leaving some people to wonder how I can stay calm in "that situation".

Great video as always, Chad! I use to do this when I was a kid in our pool. My feet weren’t tied but I would slip my hands behind my back into one of those weighted rings that you dive for. Brings back some fun memories lol.

I just want to thank you for sharing your experiences

This is pure gold very grateful

Great techniques thanks for sharing! Perfectly explained as well. Good stuff.

Nice. We were taught the 4/7/8 breathing for anxiety attacks. High work, hot work, claustrophobia, etc... for electricians. Good stuff. Works every time. I really like the 4x4x4.

I love the mindset aspect f this channel!!! Keep it Country Chad!

So, I'm glad I found your channel. I find all your topics educational and informative. Very cool...

I remember doing this they tie the restraints rather tight but enough that you can break out of them but doing so would result in a fail. Brings back memories you’re right about the lightly push off