For each child to achieve the objectives of the Swimming and Water Safety Program, ‘water safety’ is to be an integral part of every lesson taken by the swimming teacher.
The Swimming and Water Safety Program should be viewed as the practical extension of a unit of Aquatic Safety which is a part of the total Health and Physical Education Curriculum for each school.
Class teachers and swimming teachers each can provide important lessons to compliment the development of safety and survival skills.
Some Recommended Resources:
- "Teaching Water Safety" A resource Kit for K-8 Teachers
Department of Education - Tasmania 1994
- "Water Safety" Play it Safe by the Water
Primary School Education Kit, Victorian Government Initiative 1999
- AquaSmart" Water Safety Activity Resource
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia 1995
- "Be Boat Safe" Teacher Resource Kit for students from Grade 3 to 4
Marine and Safety Tasmania 2003
Some Recommended Web Sites:
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Water Safety Skills
Reach to Rescue
Ability to use a variety of ways to reach to rescue a patient not far from edge of pool.
Teaching Points
- Send for help.
- Attract victims attention.
- Reassure and tell victim what to do.
- Lie down and reach out with pole, towel or rope, etc.
- Secure and instruct how to get out.
- Let go of aid if in danger of being pulled in.
Throw to Rescue
Ability to throw a buoyant aid to victim who is to far out of reach to perform a reach to rescue.
Teaching Points
- Send for help.
- Attract victims attention.
- Reassure and give instructions.
- Throw buoyant aid underarm ie. kickboard, PFD, recue tube, ball, etc.
- Instruct victim to hold aid and kick towards you.
- Secure and instruct how to get out.
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Weighted Rope Rescue
Ability to throw a weighted rope to a victim and pull them into safety and secure them to the edge of the pool.
Teaching Points
- Send for help.
- Attract victims attention.
- Reassure and give instructions.
- Hold weighted end of rope in throwing hand (palm up).
- Coil into throwing hand (arm length).
- Secure end of rope in non-throwing hand or foot.
- Throw coils and weight underarm beyond victims head.
- Instruct victim to hold rope.
- Pull in steadily hand over hand action.
- Secure and instruct how to get out.
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Unweighted Rope Rescue
Ability to throw rope to a victim and pull them into safety and secure them to the edge of the pool.
Teaching Points
- Send for help.
- Attract victims attention.
- Reassure and give instructions.
- Hold rope in throwing hand (palm up).
- Coil into throwing hand (arm length).
- Secure end of rope in non-throwing hand or foot.
- Throw coils underarm beyond victims head.
- Instruct victim to hold rope.
- Pull in steadily hand over hand action.
- Secure and instruct how to get out.
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PFD's (Personal Floatation Device)
To experience the buoyancy of a correctly fitted and appropriately sized PFD
Teaching Points
- Correct size.
- Fit correctly.
- Swim, float, turn, rotate, tuck, scull
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H.E.L.P. (Heat escape lessening position)
To delay heat loss by protecting the most vulnerable areas (head, sides and groin)
Teaching Points
- Keep still.
- Draw knees to chest and cross ankles.
- Tuck chin, press arms to sides.
- Arms grasp PFD collar.
- Change arm position or tilt one leg to stop tilting.
- Extend legs vertically with ankles crossed to maintain balance in rough conditions
Huddle in PFD
To delay heat loss in a group and by staying together in an emergency.
Teaching Points
- Form a circle.
- Hold each other behind back.
- Press arms to sides and legs together.
- Reassure each other.
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Entry in PFD
To prevent injury from PFD rising rapidly as it hits water on entry.
Teaching Points
- Hold PFD securely at collar.
- Tuck chin to protect mouth and nose.
- Enter water feet first.
- Point toes and give slightly at knees on entry.
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Slide in Entry
To use when depth and state of bottom is unknown.
Teaching Points
- Entry is controlled.
- Sit on edge and twist away.
- Keep both hands on edge.
- Lower body feet first.
- Feel with feet for unseen objects.
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Compact Jump
To safely enter water from height.
Teaching Points
- Step off on foot leading.
- Body vertical, legs straight and together.
- Cover mouth and nose with hand.
- Fold other hand across chest to grasp shoulder.
- Once underwater, tuck to check downward movement.
Stride Entry
To maintain head above water for continuous observation.
Teaching Points
- Step out from standing position.
- Extend one leg forward and other backwards.
- Knees slightly bent.
- Lean forward, arms extended wide.
- On entry scull arms and scissor legs.
- Maintain head up to watch patient.
- Discourage jumping.
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Dive
To provide quick entry into known deep water.
Teaching Points
- Feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
- Curl toes over edge.
- Fall towards water, push and straighten legs.
- Hands enter water first.
- Arms cover ears and remain locked together throughout dive.
Treading Water
To maintain head above water surface.
Teaching Points
- Vertical position slightly forward.
- Cycle, scissor or circle legs.
- Scull hands horizontally.
- Tilt palms 45o to water.
- Maintain pressure on water in both outward and inward sweeps.
- Stay low in water.
- Relax and breath evenly.
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Survival Sculling
To maintain body in horizontal position on back.
Teaching Points
- On back, ears under.
- Use horizontal arm sculling.
- Finger tips level with wrist.
- Upper arm is relatively still.
- Maintain pressure on water in both outward and inward sweep.
- Kick gently to maintain position.
- Knees may bend slightly.
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Head First Surface Dive
To safely submerge head first.
Teaching Points
- Horizontal position.
- Pull arm wide level with shoulder.
- Bend at hips.
- Drive down forcibly.
- Lift legs vertically clear of water.
- Complete arm push to thigh.
Feet First Surface Dive
To safely submerge in unclear water.
Teaching Points
- Vertical position.
- Kick vigorously and push downwards to raise body.
- Point toes, swing both arms upward above head.
- Body slides vertically underwater.
- Scull with hands to keep body submerged.
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Medical and health care
Drug education