CLASSES
Swim Survive Levels Click level to see guidelines• Level 1 - Water Discovery
• Level 2 - Water Awareness
• Level 3 - Water Sense
• Level 4 - Water Wise
• Level 5 - Junior Swim and Survive
• Level 6 - Swim and Survive
• Level 7 - Senior Swim and Survive
Level D1: Developing Water Discovery
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Enter and exit the water safely and confidently. May be assisted.
* Swirl, pull, and push the water to feel resistance.
* Get the face wet.
* With assistance submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
* Float to stand. Holding a buoyant aid recover from a face down float or glide.
* Hold a flotation aid to the chest and allow feet to float from the pool bottom.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Discovery. You'll have to move through the water unassisted so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
" Go together" - When playing in, on or near water always make sure someone is with you.
Level 1: Water Discovery
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Enter and exit the water safely and confidently.
* Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
* Float to stand. Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing or other secure position.
* Be pulled to safety by grasping a rescue aid.
* Float with a flotation aid for 30 seconds.
* Move through the water unassisted with the feet clear of the bottom for a distance of 3 metres.
* Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Awareness. You'll have to swim 20 metres so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
" Go together" - When playing in, on or near water always make sure someone is with you.
Level D2: Developing Water Awareness
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Perform a slide in entry and exit the water using the edge. May be assisted.
* Demonstrate horizontal arm sculling actions.
* Swim for 30 seconds while holding a flotation aid.
* Swim through a submerged obstacle.
* Swim for 10 metres using any action that resembles a stroke.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Awareness. You'll have to swim 20 metres so start practicing. Stay afloat and wave" - If you are in trouble
Water Safety Tip:
" Stay afloat and wave" - If you are in trouble in the water, try to relax, roll on your back, hold onto something if available, and wave one arm to attract attention.
Level 2: Water Awareness
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Perform a slide in entry and exit the water using the edge.
* Demonstrate horizontal arm sculling actions, supporting the body in an upright position.
* Float to stand. Recover from a back float or back glide to a standing or other secure position.
* Be pulled through the water with a rope for 5 metres to safety.
* Submerge and recover an object from water of chest depth.
Survival Sequence:
Survival scull for 30 seconds and float for 1 minute, holding a flotation aid and then kick to safety.
* Swim 20 metres using an action that resembles a stroke.
* Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Sense. You'll have to swim underwater so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
" Stay afloat and wave" - If you are in trouble in the water, try to relax, roll on your back, hold onto something if available, and wave one arm to attract attention.
Level D3: Developing Water Sense
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Surface dive and recover an object from water of chest depth.
* Scull headfirst on the back.
* Float on the front, back and side in deep water with or without assistance.
* Swim 30 metres using actions which resemble two or more strokes.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Sense. You'll have to swim underwater so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
" Reach to rescue" - If someone needs help do not get into the water. Lie down and reach out with a stick.
Level 3: Water Sense
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Perform a step in entry.
* Surface dive, swim underwater and recover an object from water of chest depth.
* Scull headfirst on the back in a streamlined body position.
* Using a rigid aid pull a partner to safety.
Survival Skills
* Scull for 1 minute and then swim for 1 minute holding a flotation aid.
* Swim 50 metres using actions that resemble two or more strokes. Must include at least 15 metres with above water arm recovery and 15 metres using an underwater arm recovery stroke.
* Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.
* Extension: Demonstrate introductory dolphin kick for 5 metres.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Water Wise. You'll have to swim 75 metres so start practicing.
Level 4: Water Wise
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Safely perform a compact jump, a fall in entry and exit from deep water.
* Throw a rescue flotation aid to a partner at 5 metres distance and instruct the partner to kick to the edge.
* Demonstrate feet first sculling on the back.
* Demonstrate rotation of the tucked body, keeping the face above the surface of the water.
* Surface dive, swim underwater, search for and recover an object from water equivalent to the candidate's height.
* Swim continuously:50 metres with above water arm recovery and
25 metres with underwater recovery.
Recognised stroke techniques must be used.
Survival Skills
Dressed in swimwear, shorts and T-shirt, complete the following:
* Scull, float or tread water for 2 minutes.
* Swim slowly for 3 minutes changing survival strokes after each minute.
* Float for 1 minute using an open ended flotation aid.
* Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.
* Extension: Demonstrate introductory butterfly arm action for 5 metres.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Junior Swim and Survive. You'll have to swim for 6 minutes wearing clothes so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
" Throw to rescue" - If someone needs help do not get into the water. Throw a floatation aid and reassure the person in trouble.
Level 5: Junior Swim and Survive
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Demonstrate a dive.
* Rotate the body about both the vertical and horizontal axes with either arm or leg action.
* Demonstrate the eggbeater kick. Arms or a kickboard may be used for support.
* Swim continuously:25 metres freestyle
25 metres survival backstroke or sidestroke
25 metres backstroke and
25 metres breaststroke.
Recognised strokes must be used.
Survival Skills:
Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt,perform the following as a continuous sequence:
* Survival scull, float or tread water for 4 minutes.
* Perform a feet first surface dive and swim underwater for a short distance.
* Swim slowly for 6 minutes using three survival strokes, changing strokes after each minute.
* Remove clothing in deep water.
* Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of deep water.
* Perform a reach rescue using a rope, towel or item of clothing.
* Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.
* Extension: Swim butterfly for 10 metres demonstrating a recognisable stroke and using correct breathing technique.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next level is Swim and Survive. You'll have to swim for 200 metres so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
Snorkelling is a great way to explore the water. The best place to learn is in a pool where you can practice using the mask and flippers.
Level 6: Swim and Survive
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:
* Perform a stride entry.
* Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water.
* Swim continuously:50 metres sidestroke
50 metres backstroke
50 metres breaststroke and
50 metres freestyle.
Efficient stroke techniques should be used.
Survival Skills
Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long-sleeved shirt and jumper, perform the following as a continuous sequence:
* Enter deep water using a feet first entry.
* Submerge feet first, swim underwater on the back, looking up at the surface.
* Swim 50 metres quickly as if escaping from a dangerous situation and then swim 50 metres slowly.
* Float using a buoyant aid for 1 minute.
* Swim slowly demonstrating survival strokes for 6 minutes.
* 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 using survival strokes. Climb out of the water.
* Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6 metres.
* Answer questions on water safety and personal survival techniques.
* Extension: Swim butterfly for 15 metres using an efficient stroke action and correct breathing technique.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
The next Swim and Survive level is Senior Swim and Survive. You'll have to swim for 100 metres wearing a PFD so start practicing.
Water Safety Tip:
Sailing a dingy is a great way to use your Swim and Survive skills and have fun in the water. Remember always wear a PFD when sailing, riding or paddling water craft.
Level 7: Senior Swim and Survive
To achieve this award, you will need to be able to:* Demonstrate an entry technique selected by the examiner.
* Demonstrate an efficient eggbeater kick without use of arms.
* Swim continuously:50 metres butterfly or freestyle
50 metres backstroke
50 metres breaststroke
50 metres freestyle
50 metres sidestroke and
50 metres survival backstroke.
Efficient stroke techniques must be used. All alternative techniques are permissible.
Survival Skills
Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long-sleeved shirt and jumper, shoes and socks, perform the following sequence:* Dive and swim 10 metres underwater to simulate an escape from a sinking boat surrounded by oil.
* Swim 40 metres freestyle as if escaping from a dangerous situation.
* Remove shoes while treading water and then swim slowly 50 metres breaststroke.
* Float, survival scull or tread water for 5 minutes and wave one arm occasionally as if signalling for help, reassure any nearby candidates by talking to them.
* Swim slowly for 200 metres using survival strokes, changing every 50 metres.
* Remove clothing in deep water.
* Fit a PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100 metres using survival strokes, demonstrate HELP technique and climb out of the water whilst wearing the PFD.
* Perform a throw rescue using a weighted rope over a distance of 10 metres.
A time limit of 1 minute shall apply, commencing with an uncoiled and untangled rope lying at the feet of the rescuer and ending when the swimmer has grasped it.
* Wade to and pull to safety a partner by using a towel or item of clothing as an aid.
* Answer questions on water safety and personal survival techniques indicating a thorough knowledge of basic concepts.
* Extension: Swim butterfly for 25 metres using an efficient stroke action and correct breathing technique.
This award is only an indication of the competence of the person at the date of attainment.
Water Safety Tip:
Body Boarding is a great way to have fun in the water. Remember always wear an arm leash and practice in shore between the flags before venturing beyond the breakers.
Now that you have Senior Swim and Survive how about trying the "Bronze Star or Bronze Medallion".