lessons
Lessons for all age groups
Swim for Life® is a complete learn-to-swim program from Parent & Tot
through to Leadership. Easy to program and easy to explain,
Swim for Life leads seamlessly into the Society’s lifesaving
training awards.
Program content is stroke and skill driven: entries and exits; surface support; underwater skills; Swim to Survive® skills; movement / swimming skills; fitness, and Water Smart® education. A fun program with achievable content is enjoyable for both participants and instructors.
Lessons
NOW AVAILABLE
Program Structure
There are five modules in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life® program:
- PARENT & TOT 1, 2, 3 for parents and children up to 3 years
- PRESCHOOL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for children 3–5 years
- SWIMMER 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 for children 5 years and older
- ADULT SWIMMER 1, 2, 3 for people over 16 years
- FITNESS SWIMMER for swimmers of any age who want to improve their overall physical fitness
The modules are designed so they flow together seamlessly. You can program them independently or program them all so they flow logically into each other and on into the basic lifesaving awards: Rookie, Ranger and Star Patrol.
Preschoolers move from Preschool to Swimmer based on age – traditionally around 5–6 years. Preschoolers who have completed Preschool 1 or 2, would move to Swimmer 1; if they have completed Preschool 3, 4, or 5, they would move into Swimmer 2.
Content is organized as follows:
• Entries and exits
• Surface support
• Underwater skills
• Swim to Survive® skills
• Movement / Swimming skills
• Fitness
• Water Smart® education
Mandatory equipment for the Swim for Life program includes lifejackets of all sizes. Other learn-to-swim equipment such as kickboards, pull buoys and toys will expand the scope for effective and entertaining training.
PARENT & TOT 1 | 4-12 MONTHS
Parents and babies will explore the water together under the watchful eyes of their instructor. They will learn how to safely enter and exit the water and work on getting ready to discover the water safely. Parents will learn how to safely support their child while they play
PARENT & TOT 2 | 12-24 MONTHS
Instructors will lead sessions to help parents with children learn basic water safety skills in a welcoming environment. Parents are taught how to support their child with assisted entries and exits into water and support them in learning to float and kick. They can celebrate together when the child can get their face wet and blow bubbles for the first time
PARENT & TOT 3 | 2-3 YEARS
Parents will work towards supporting their toddlers in becoming more independent in the water. Getting
in, getting out, going under, and floating, parents and toddlers will be introduced to different iterations of these fundamental skills.
PRESCHOOL | 3-5 YEARS
PRESCHOOL 1
Preschoolers will be assisted by their instructor when learning to enter and exit water safely, jump into chest deep water, and put their faces in the water to blow bubbles. Becoming comfortable with floats and glides and moving safely in shallow water while wearing lifejackets will help them gain confidence with their water skills.
PRESCHOOL 2
Preschoolers will work on becoming more independent with their water skills. Some of these skills include jumping into chest deep water unassisted, submerging and exhaling underwater, and floating and gliding with various buoyant aids. They will be introduced to lateral rollovers and practice their flutter kick on their backs.
PRESCHOOL 3
Preschoolers will kick and glide their way through the water on their fronts and backs. They will work on retrieving objects from the bottom in water that is waist deep, and work towards mastering their floats, rollovers, glides, and kicks. In this level they work their way into deeper water for side entries and jumping in with their lifejackets on.
PRESCHOOL 4
Preschoolers will gain some independence in deep water. They will practice jumping into deeper water (including getting out by themselves), sideways entries, and opening their eyes underwater. These swimmers in training will work on completing 5m of front crawl in their lifejackets and work on their ability to tread water.
PRESCHOOL 5
Preschoolers will work towards achieving important swimming milestones. They will work on being able to support themselves treading in deep water for 10 seconds and complete 5 m swims with front crawl and back crawl. Wearing a lifejacket, they will practice forward roll entries into deep water, learn to whip kick in a vertical position, and be introduced to interval training.
SWIMMER 1
Building the foundation of swimming skill development beginner swimmers will gain confidence in the water as they learn safe entries into various depths of water, treading water in a lifejacket, opening their eyes underwater, and breath control. Once they have learned their floats, rollovers, glides, and kicks from front to back, they will front crawl their way into the next level.
SWIMMER 2
Swimmers will gain comfort in deeper water by jumping in, learning their sideways entry, and treading water without a lifejacket. Swimmers will be challenged by the introduction of various skills including, flutter kick on their front, back, and side, vertical whip kick with an aid, and swimming front crawl and back crawl for 10 m. Swimmers will get to work on their Swim to Survive skills and be introduced to interval training.
SWIMMER 3
Swimmers will make a splash with their kneeling dives and forward roll entries. Swimmers will be challenged with the introduction to more difficult (but fun) skills such as handstands in shallow water and in front somersaults (in water). Increased time and distance components are incorporated for skills learned such as flutter kick on front and back, whip kick on back, front and back crawl, and interval training.
SWIMMER 4
Swimmers will move from a beginner to intermediate swimming level. Swimmers will complete standing dives, tread water for 1 minute, and work towards being able to swim underwater for 5 m. Swimmers will achieve the Swim to Survive standard by being able to roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, and swim 50m. In addition to improving their front crawl, back crawl, and whip kick, swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke.
SWIMMER 5
Swimmers will be challenged with a whole new set of skills; shallow dives, tuck jumps (cannonball entries), eggbeater kick, and backward somersaults (in water). Technique and endurance will also receive greater focus as swimmers will need to complete longer distance swims and interval training sessions for all their strokes.
SWIMMER 6
As the final level in the Swimmer program, swimmers will build up their advanced skill set. Swimmers will work towards mastering stride entries, compact jumps, and lifesaving kicks. They will also refine their strokes to increase their swimming strength, power, and endurance – critical for success in the 300 m workout required to complete the level.
ADULT 1
Adult swimmers will work towards being able to complete short distance swims (10-15 m) on their front and back. They will work through swimming stroke fundamentals such as floats, rolls, glides, and kicks. Swimmers will develop their underwater skills as they continue to build their confidence in the water.
ADULT 2
Adult swimmers will practice different entries into deep water including dives, rolls, and tuck jumps (cannonballs). As they work on building strength and endurance, they will aim to be able to tread water for 1-2 minutes. New underwater skills are introduced such as handstands in shallow water and front somersaults (in water). Swimmers will achieve the Swim to Survive standard by being able to roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, and swim 50m. In addition to improving their front crawl, back crawl, and whip kick, swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke.
ADULT 3
Adult swimmers will work towards mastering front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Challenging skills such as shallow dives, stride entries, and compact jumps will be completed as well as a focus on developing lifesaving kicks. Swimmers can expect to improve their fitness levels as they work on completing 300m workouts and 25-50 m sprints.
ROOKIE PATROL
Rookie Patrol lays the foundation of the Swim Patrol program. It includes 4 main components: stroke refinement, fitness, first aid, and lifesaving. Stroke refinement is focused on front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Fitness components include a 350 m workout and 100 m timed swim. Swimmers will learn about assessing conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding. Rookie Patrol is rounded off with an introduction to lifesaving skills, including self- rescue techniques, victim recognition, and using throwing assists.
RANGER PATROL
Stroke refinement and underwater proficiency continues to be a focus in Ranger Patrol as it is critical for supporting swimmer fitness. Swimmers can expect their fitness levels to increase as they work towards a 200 m timed swim. First aid at the Ranger Patrol level includes assessment of unconscious victims, treating for shock, and procedures for obstructed airways. Lifesaving skills are expanded to include object support and non-contact rescues with a buoyant aid.
STAR PATROL
Star Patrol will prepare swimmers for the Bronze Star Award. Strokes will continue to be refined through completion of 100 m swims. It demands good physical conditioning as swimmers will be challenged with a 600 m workout, 300 m timed swim, and a 25 m object carry. First aid at this level focuses on treatment of bone and joint injuries, and respiratory emergencies like asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include in water defense methods, rolling over and supporting victims in shallow water, and removing victims from shallow water. Swimmers that complete Star Patrol will be well on their way to becoming bona fide Lifesavers.
