The terrifying moment Erin McNaught nearly drowns on SAS Australia

Tuesday’s episode of SAS Australia saw the remaining recruits forced to submerge themselves in icy water in the snow.

After admitting she struggles with water challenges, Erin McNaught had a hard time focusing when it was her turn to submerge herself.

‘I do feel like underwater-based activities may be my downfall,’ the 38-year-old model confessed. 

Sensing her discomfort, chief instructor Ant Middleton told Erin she needed to ‘switch on’ or else she’d have to remain in the frigid water for longer.

After a long moment of Erin just standing in the icy pool, Ant finally instructed Erin to fully submerge herself, before swimming through a small tunnel into a second pool.

The 39-year-old retired soldier then asked Erin to recall the registration number of the military vehicle that was parked out front of the dormitory back at base camp.

Unable to remember the registration number, Ant ordered Erin to ‘fully submerge’ herself under the water once again.

‘Start switching on, otherwise I’ll just keep you there,’ he warned, after instructing her to ‘stand by’.

Finally, Ant told Erin to ‘go’, but when she didn’t reemerge from the tunnel, her fellow recruits began to worry.

‘Holy s**t,’ a visibly concerned Shannan Ponton told James Magnussen.

After what felt like some time, Erin finally resurfaced in one of the pools. 

‘Start switching on, number seven. You could save yourself 10, 20 seconds in the water there, couldn’t you,’ warned Ant.

With time ticking on and the risk of hypothermia increasing, Ant finally ordered Erin to get out of the water.

She then had to roll around in the snow before sprinting to a nearby tent to quickly change into dry clothes.

After spending more time in the freezing cold water than any of the other recruits, Erin had just seconds to change into dry clothing, as DS Ollie Ollerton kept a close eye on her for any signs of hypothermia.