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Survival Swimming Lessons |
You can spread this lesson plan over as many sessions as you like,
depending on the ability and size of your class, and how much pool time you have.
Start each lesson with a warm-up and stretching. Finish with some exciting water games.
After successfully demonstrating the skills in this section,
you're qualified as a competent survival swimmer.
The length and width distance requirements for the exercises in
this section are based on a pool 25 meters long by 15 meters wide.
For larger or smaller pools, adjust this accordingly.
A qualified lifeguard must be on duty at all times
during survival swimming training.
The lifeguard should have a current Lifeguard Training certificate (American Red Cross or equivalent)
and must be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Basic Swimming Kit:
Long sleeve top and long unlined pants.
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Basic Survival Swimming Lesson |
The purpose of this lesson is to give your class a good introduction into survival swimming.
It is assumed that they know how to swim properly.
- From the pool-side or starting block jump in with a forward roll.
While swimming 50 meters, do two consecutive rolls forward and two backwards rolls.
Climb out on pool-side unassisted, not via the ladder.
- In the water, off the wall, swim 50 meter backwards,
interrupted by a trip to the bottom (minimum 2 meter deep), tap the bottom with your feet.
Then pull yourself along a rope over 10 meters length backwards to emerge on the edge.
- From the shallow end with a shuttered goggles, swim underwater five strokes on your front and five strokes on your back.
- From the side in the water lowered with tinted goggles, swim about 8 meters underwater, pick up at least one object from the bottom.
- Swim 50 meters, dive through several loops hanging vertical in the water.
Climb out on pool-side unassisted, not via the ladder.
- From the shallow end swim underwater through the loops.
When reaching the far side, pull a raft with a friend on top over a distance of 25 meter back to the shallow end.
- Implement a land-based rescue from the side to make contact with a friend in the water (min. 6 meter from the side),
using a rope or a rescue throw-bag.
Throwing it to the side of your friend and pull him in.
Step away from the edge.
- From the shallow end swim 15 meter with head above water, dive at an angle and a pick up a dummy manikin (minimum 2 meter deep),
then tow the dummy using a rescue tow grip to the far side of the pool.
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Advanced Swimming Kit:
Long unlined pants, long sleeve top, hoodie or sweater, rain jacket or anorak, socks and shoes.
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Advanced Survival Swimming Lesson |
This lesson prepares for a sudden fall into water, like it may happen when boating.
These exercises can be quite exhausting and provide a good training workout.
- Dive into deep water from the pool-side or starting block.
Kick off shoes, take off the rain jacket or anorak and pull off the sweater or hoodie.
Make a float from the anorak and float for one minute.
Then put the hoodie, anorak and shoes back on before you climb out of the water.
- Jump into deep water from the pool-side or starting block.
Inflate the anorak or hoodie.
Make a tight seal around the neck.
Put the collar of the anorak over your mouth, but not the nose.
Inhale with the nose, exhale with the mouth into the anorak.
If done properly it should fill up with air.
Then tread water for 30 seconds with arms crossed and 30 seconds with use of arms.
- With a squat jump carrying a bouyant aid (board, flexible beam, water bottle)
swim to a friend and do a non-contact rescue to pull him to the pool-side over a distance of 10 meters.
- Jump into the water and climb out again in quick succession.
Count how many jumps you can get into one minute.
Thisf simmple exercise will be very exhausting when fully clothed.
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Boating Clothes:
Long unlined pants, long sleeve top, unlined sailing suit or rainwear, socks and shoes.
| Boat Handling Skills |
Boat handling skills are useful and can save your life in an emergency.
Practice this until you have learned how to get into a boat in many different scenarios.
This training must be done fully clothed to be realistic.
It is also more fun that way.
- With a partner enter the boat on pool side and paddle it into the middle of the deep end.
Stand up and move around the boat.
See how long you both can stand up before you fall in.
You could try to push each other into the water, just for fun.
See who stays dry the longest.
Once in the water, climb back up and help each other back into the boat.
- Push the boat out into the deep end.
Enter the water from the pool-side or starting block with a leap forward towards a boat 10 meters away in the deep end.
Climb into the boat and then lean back over the side to capsize the boat.
Swim back to the pool-side and climb out.
- Jump into the deep end and swim the last 5 meters underwater, surfacing inside the capsized boat.
Turn it the right side up.
Climb back into the boat and remain there for a moment.
Then leave the boat falling backwards into the water and come up at least 1 meter away from the boat.
- Climb back in and capsize the boat again.
Climb onto the capsized boat and paddle it with your hands to the pool side.
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Reader Comment: Swimming Test |
I recently joined a survival swimming class.
On the first day all participants were asked to swim 100 meters (4 pool lengths) using various swimming strokes.
Next we picked up a rubber brick from a depth of 2 meters.
Then followed the float test, which is treading water (or just floating)
in the deep end of the pool for 10 minutes without hanging on to the side.
At the 9th minute, the lifeguard threw in life jackets to put on and swim to the poolside.
I passed easily without getting too tired,
but still, ten minutes pass surprisingly slowly when you're treading water and watching the clock.
Oh, I almost forgot, we had to do it with all our clothes on, which was great fun.
Since then I do most of my swimming training in clothes which keeps me fit.
Joey, Australia
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Reader Comment: Swim Team Promotion |
Our swimming team teaches lifesaving and survival swimming.
Everyone is welcome to learn how to swim in clothes in an emergency and how to use clothes for fitness swimming.
Every first Friday in the month our swimming team organises a wild phat dipping party
at the local pool to promote our survival swimming lessons.
Guests will experience what it feels like to swim fully clothed and where their training needs are.
This clothing mandatory swimming session is huge fun.
Every participant must at least wear long trousers and a long sleeve top.
I usually swim in jeans, polo shirt and a heavy pullover or hoodie.
Others bring their sailing suits or raingear.
Some wear tracksuits or try several outfits.
Remember to bring a change of clothes for your way home.
Kevin, Netherlands
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