SwimSafer Stage 1: Introduction to Water Skills (Swimming)
Entries & Exits
- Enter the water safely and confidently with slide-In entry and exit using ladder and from pool edge.
SwimSafer Stage 1: Sculling & Body Orientation
- Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing position.
- Recover from a back float or glide to a standing position
- Introduction to Floatation Survival Technique
SwimSafer Stage 1: Underwater skills
- Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
Movement/Swimming/Strokes
- Swim – Any stroke
- Forward movement 10 m
- Intro to Backward movement 5m
SwimSafer Stage 1 Survival & Activity skills
- Support body in an upright position and signal distress.
- Grasp a flotation aid thrown for support.
- Be pulled to safety.
- Wearing clothing, correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of deep water.
SwimSafer Stage 1 Rescue Skills
- N/A
SwimSafer Stage 1 Knowledge
- Rules of behaviour in, on or near the water, Water safety knowledge at a swimming pool
SwimSafer Stage 2: Fundamental Water Skills (Swimming)
SwimSafer Stage 2 Entries & Exits
- Perform a step-in entry
SwimSafer Stage 2 Sculling & Body Orientation
- Demonstrate sculling in an upright position for 10 seconds with arms only.
SwimSafer Stage 2 Underwater skills
- Search for and recover an object in chest deep water depth.
SwimSafer Stage 2 Movement / Swimming / Strokes
- Swim 25m – Any stroke
- Breaststroke
- Backstroke
- Survival Backstroke
SwimSafer Stage 2 Survival & Activity skills
- Swim wearing clothing for 15m.
- Demonstrate flotation survival technique
- Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water and swim for 5 meters and climb out of deep water.
SwimSafer Stage 2 Rescue Skills
- N/A
SwimSafer Stage 2 Knowledge
- Water safety rules in various aquatic environments
SwimSafer Stage 3: Personal Water Survival and Swimming Stroke Development Skills
SwimSafer Stage 3 Entries & Exits
- Perform a stride/straddle entry
SwimSafer Stage 3 Sculling & Body Orientation
- Demonstrate sculling in a horizontal position for 10 seconds with arms only
- Demonstrate the ability to change direction on command
- Demonstrate reverse action
SwimSafer Stage 3 Underwater skills
- In chest deep water swim through hoops on pool bottom 2 metres apart.
SwimSafer Stage 3 Movement / Swimming / Strokes
- Swim 50m continously
- 25m using either Breaststroke or Front- Crawl
- 25m using either Backstroke or Survival Backstroke
SwimSafer Stage 3 Survival & Activity skills
- Swim wearing clothing for 25m
- Demonstrate ability to correctly fit a PFD in the water
SwimSafer Stage 3 Rescue Skills
- Throw a flotation aid to a partner at 3m distance and instruct to kick to the edge
- Perform a reach rescue using a rigid aid and pull a partner to safety
SwimSafer Stage 3 Knowledge
- Principles of personal survival
SwimSafer Bronze: Personal Water Survival and Swimming Stroke Improvement Skills
SwimSafer Bronze Entries & Exits
- Enter water using a compact jump
SwimSafer Bronze Sculling & Body Orientation
- Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water
SwimSafer Bronze Underwater skills
- Search for and recover an object in 1.5 m of water depth
- Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive
SwimSafer Bronze Movement / Swimming / Strokes
- Swim 100m Continously
- 25m Front Crawl
- 25m Breaststroke
- 25m Backstroke
- 25m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke
SwimSafer Bronze Survival & Activity skills
- Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt demonstrate 3 minutes swimming slowly using any appropriate swim stroke, changing each minute
SwimSafer Bronze Rescue Skills
- Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6m
- Wade to a person and deliver a flotation aid in deep water
- Approach in “Ready” position
SwimSafer Bronze Knowledge
- Principles of water craft safety
SwimSafer Silver: Intermediate Personal Water Survival and Swimming Stroke Refinement Skills
SwimSafer Silver Entries & Exits
- Demonstrate a dive entry (crouching)
SwimSafer Silver Sculling & Body Orientation
- Keep face above the water for 60 seconds sculling with hands only
SwimSafer Silver Underwater skills
- In 1.5m of water depth swim through hoops on pool bottom 3 metres apart
SwimSafer Silver Movement / Swimming / Strokes
- Swim 200 m continuously
- 50m Front Crawl
- 50m Breaststroke
- 50m Backstroke
- 50m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke
- Efficient stroke techniques must be used
SwimSafer Silver Survival & Activity skills
- Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt, perform the following as a continuous sequence
- Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method
- Submerge feet first, swim underwater for 3 meters
- Resurface scull, float or tread water for 3 minutes waving for help intermittently
- Clothing may be removed
- Correctly fit a PFD while treading water and then swim 25 metres and climb out of the water
SwimSafer Silver Rescue Skills
- Using a buoyant aid, accompanied (noncontact) rescue of a person 15m from safety
SwimSafer Silver Knowledge
- Recognising an Emergency
SwimSafer Gold: Advanced Personal Water Survical and Swimming Skills Proficiency
SwimSafer Gold Entries & Exits
- Demonstrate a standing dive
SwimSafer Gold Sculling & Body Orientation
- Keep face above the water surface for 60 seconds using legs only
SwimSafer Gold Underwater skills
- Search for and recover an object in 1.8 m of water depth
- Demonstrate equalising of ear/nose
SwimSafer Gold Movement / Swimming / Strokes
- Swim 400m continuously
- 100m Breaststroke
- 100m Front Crawl
- 100 m Backstroke
- 100m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke
- Efficient stroke techniques must be used
SwimSafer Gold Survival & Activity skills
- Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, perform the following sequence
- Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method swim 5 metres underwater to simulate an escape form a sinking boat surrounded by oil
- Swim a further 45 metres as if escaping from a dangerous situation
- Remove shoes and then swim slowly for further 50 metres using any preferred swim stroke occasionally signalling for help
- Remove clothing in deep water. Fit PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100 metres using appropriate strokes
- Demonstrate HELP technique and climb out of the water whilst wearing the PFD
SwimSafer Gold Rescue Skills
- Using a suitable buoyant aid, tow (noncontact) rescue of a person 10m from safety
SwimSafer Gold Knowledge
- Principles when performing a rescue