SAHEM62896 saidNah, I don't think it's deviant, but it's not the norm.
Last time I did that was when I was in Red Cross swimming... I had to do a survival float fully clothed.
That reminded me, I used to do that when I taught Army ROTC. Cadets had to take "drown proofing" on campus before they could attend their 6-week summer camp at an Army post, where they'd be encountering natural water hazards during that extended training period.
They'd have to climb the 3-meter board at the indoor college pool, dressed in full camouflage uniform, plus web gear and soft cap, but no boots. They'd also be carrying a rubber replica M-16 rifle, weighing the same as a real one.
I'd meet them up on the board, wearing a swim suit, and tie a blindfold over their eyes. Then I'd make them "walk the plank" blind, my hand on the back of their shirt collar to guide them, until they walked off the end of the board.
Once in the water they could remove the blindfold, and had to swim to the side of the pool with the rifle in order to pass the exercise. If they failed we did it again. There were also 2 certified lifeguards in the water at all times, and another one on the pool deck with a long rescue hook, and lifesaver floats at the ready. Later the cadets had to perform a survival float in uniform, without weapon, probably similar to what you did.
BTW, before the exercise began I performed the drop myself, likewise blindfolded to demonstrate. Then I stripped off my wet uniform on the pool deck, my swim suit having been underneath. Surprisingly, few cadets failed the first time, and all eventually succeeded, or else they wouldn't have been allowed to attend the required summer camp, leading to their removal from the program.
Second BTW: the college pool staff required me to ensure that the uniforms we used had been freshly washed beforehand, to remove any dye, and of course so they weren't dirty.