737-500,
It is certainly not a requirement to learn how to swim or remember morse code for the JAA ATPL theory and the CPL/IR MCC (your frozen ATPL)
However, learning morse makes it that bit eaiser when Identing VOR's ect in older aircraft (without auto ident!!) and frees up a channel of your memory for something else (instead of cross checking it on a legend). You probaly know more than you think and I learnt it by studying the 3 local Vor's and remembering there idents. This covered about 7 letters (some were common before anyone gets smart
). Eveyone knows SOS as .../---/...
Even your mobile phone is trying to teach you morse code. Remember the familliar message tone for Nokia?.../--/... That stands for SMS, SMS messaging.
It's not a pre-requisit but you may find it helpful. As for learning to swim I'm with captwannabee. If you are lucky enough to survive the ditching then somebody is looking down on you that day and you will probaly find something to grab hold of. If your luck is going well enough for you to survive then you'll find a lifejacket or million dollar yaught passing by. Dont forget to buy a lottery ticket that day. One last point, you could be the best swimmer in the world but if you cant feel your legs for whatever reason (cold, broken - both likely) then you are f**ked. I'd spend the extra time on learning the ditching routine than how to swim away from it!!
Chow for now
The Reverand
