Swim Requirements

Beginner I

1. Bobs – kids jump up and go under the water 10 times

2. Holding Breath Contest – goal: 10 seconds

3. Rhythmic Breathing – put face in the water and blow bubbles…when the child needs to breath, have them bring their face to the side

4. Prone Float – float on stomach, blowing bubbles with or without assistance…to pass they must be able to do it themselves

5. Prone Glide – arms above their head in position, push off from ground with face in the water gliding on surface…goal: to glide a distance of 1 body length

6. Use of PFD (personal flotation devices) – use a kickboard independently

Beginner II

1. Accomplish all the skills needed to pass Beginner I

2. Back Glide – arms above head in streamline position, push off from ground and glide across water without going under…goal: to glide a distance of 1 body length

3. Survival Float – arms out straight to the side, face in the water, bringing arms together in a clapping motion while lifting head up to take a breath then resuming prone float

4. Prone Glide with Kick – remain in streamline position with face in water

5. Back Guide with Kick – remain in streamline position on surface of water

Beginner III

1. Accomplish all the skills needed to pass Beginner II

2. Crawl Stroke (15 Yards) – arms must come out of the water, face does not have to be in the water, kick continuously

3. Combined Stroke on Back () – arms must come back straight touching ears, stomach up like a back float, kick continuously

4. Changing Directions – reverse directions while backstroke and

5. Turning Over – begin with 3 strokes front crawl then 3 strokes backstroke

Advanced Beginner

1. Bobbing Deep Water – touch bottom while completely submerged…complete 15 times

2. Rhythmic Breathing – put face in the water and blow bubbles…when the child needs to breath, have them bring their face to the side

3. Survival Float – arms out straight to the side, face in the water, bringing arms together in a clapping motion while lifting head up to take a breath then resuming prone float…goal: 2 minutes

4. Crawl Stroke (20 meters) – arms must come out of the water, face does not have to be in the water, kick continuously

5. Elementary Backstroke (20 meters) – use of monkey, eagle, soldier methods…arms up to armpits while knees are bent…arms out straight to side and spread legs…arms straight by side and bring legs together…legs must stay in water and glide between each stroke

6. Survival Stroke (30-45 seconds) – back straight upright position…move arms side to side…move legs in reverse circular motions

7. Changing Positions and Treading Water (30 seconds) – back float, tread water, front float

8. Standing Front Dive – use raft

9. Underwater swim (3-4 body lengths) – completely submerged…use and breast stroke arms

10. Personal Safety Skills – only swim when supervised…be aware of weather hazards such as lightning, rain…use sunscreen and avoid long exposure to extreme heat or cold water

Intermediate

1. Arms (20 meters) – on side, scoop water in either direction and bring hands together…”pick an apple put it in the basket” technique

2. Sidestroke Scissors Kick (20 meters) – on side, bend knees, bring one leg forward and one leg back

3. Sidestroke Coordination (50 meters) – combine steps 1 & 2

4. Breast Stroke Arms (20 meters) – begin with arms together, bring arms out forward and around and back together

5. Breast Stoke Kick (frog kick) (20 meters) – legs out straight, bend knees, spread legs then bring legs together

6. Breast Stroke Coordination (20 meters) – combine steps 4 & 5

7. Crawl Stroke (100 meters) – arms must come out of the water, face does not have to be in the water, kick continuously

8. Elementary Backstroke (50 Meters) – use of monkey, eagle, soldier methods…arms up to armpits while knees are bent…arms out straight to side and spread legs…arms straight by side and bring legs together…legs must stay in water and glide between each stroke

9. Survival Float – arms out straight to the side, face in the water, bringing arms together in a clapping motion while lifting head up to take a breath then resuming prone float…goal: 3 minutes

10. Survival Stroke treading water (4 minutes) – back straight upright position…move arms side to side…move legs in reverse circular motions

11. Back Float (1 minute) – arms out straight, head back, stomach up

12. Sculling on Back (10 yards) – back float, move hands side to side

13. Open Turns Front, Side & Back – somersault

14. Tread Water (1 minute)

15. Swim Underwater (15-20 feet) - completely submerged…use flutter kick and breast stroke arms

16. Standing Front Dive – use raft

Swimmer

1. Sidestroke (100 meters) – see Intermediate

2. Back Crawl (100 meters) – see Beginner III

3. Breast Stroke (100 meters) – see Intermediate

4. Crawl Stroke (100 meters) – see Intermediate

5. Surface Dives Pike & Tuck – use streamline position and dive down and touch bottom

6. Feet First Surface Dive – stand upright moving arms in upward motion

7. Long Shallow Dive – use raft

8. Jumping into Deep Water – use raft

9. Standing Dive into Deep Water (pencil dive) – use raft

10. Stride Jump – use raft, legs when feet touch the water, bring legs together…head stays above water

11. Inverted Scissors Kick – see Intermediate

12. Sculling – see Intermediate

13. Survival Float – see Beginner III

14. Survival Stroke (5 minutes) – see Advanced Beginner

15. Underwater Swim (20-25 feet) – see Advanced Beginner

16. Basic Rescues – reaching assist & throwing assist

Advanced Swimmer

1. Front Crawl (200 meters) – see Intermediate

2. 500 Meters Nonstop and Combo of Strokes

3. Swimming Underwater (45 feet) – see Advanced Beginner

4. Backstroke (100 meters) – see Beginner III

5. Breast Stroke (100 meters) – see Intermediate

6. Side Stroke (100 meters) – see Intermediate

7. Butterfly (25 meters) – dolphin kick, 2 kicks for every 1 arm movement

8. Survival Float (8 minutes) – see Beginner III

9. Treading Water (3 minutes) – arms above head

10. Surface Dives – see Swimmer

11. Retrieve Objects from Deep Water

12. Demonstrate Roll Spinal Injury with Victim Face Up – place one hand on forehead & one hand on chin of victim and roll so victim is on top of you face out of the water

Basic Rescue

1. Explain EMS (Emergency Medical Services) – 911 operator, EMT, doctors/nurses

2. When to Notify EMS – drowning, heart failure, burns, seizures, and any other situation requiring medical attention

3. Awareness of Types of Drowning Victims – front/back active, front/back passive, distressed swimmer

4. Water Assists – reaching and throwing

5. Walking Assists – victims arm around rescuers shoulders

6. Beach Drag – drag victim holding under armpits

7. Spinal Injury Rescues – see Advanced Swimmer

8. Rescue Breathing – tilt head back…look, listen, feel for breath…2 slow breaths…1 breath every 5 seconds for adults and 1 breath every 3 seconds for children

9. Heat Emergencies – heat stroke, heat exhaustion

10. Steps to Take in Heat Emergency – remove from heat, spray with cool water, prepare for shock

11. Awareness of Seizures – place on side of ground, remove surrounding objects

12. In Water Rescues – active (front/back), passive (front/back)