Swim Level Explanation
- Infant Aquatics: For ages 2 and under
- Pre-School: (For ages 5 and under)
- Level 1 (For children 5 and up)
- Level 2
- Level 3
- Level 4
- Level 5
- Level 6
- Level 7
- Getting wet; Exploring the pool
- Under water exploration; Blowing bubbles
- Front float; Front glide
Back float; Back glide - Roll over from front to back and back to front
- Choosing a life jacket; Using a life jacket
- Depending on child's development: Leg and Arm action and combined stroke on front may be reviewed
Back to List
Infant Aquatics: For ages 2 and under
- Parents are in the water with children and all skills are done with support
Back to List
Pre-School: Water Adjustment (For ages 5 and under)
Parents are in the water with children and all skills are done with supportGetting wet
Exploring the poolJumping in from the side of the pool and returning to the side
Under water exploration
Enter and exit the water safely
Submerge mouth, nose and eyesOpen eyes under water retrieve objects
Exhale underwater blow bubble through mouth and nose
Explore arm and hand movements
Change direction of travelFront float
Front glide Alternating arm and leg action
Simultaneous arm and leg action
Combine arm and leg action
Recover from back and front floats to standing position
Roll over from front to back and back to front
Discussion of water safety rules
Demonstrate how to use a life jacket and wearing it in the waterBack to List
Level 1: Skills (For children 5 and up)
Water Adjustment:
Fully submerge face for 3 secondsBuoyancy and Breath Control:
Bounce up and down in chest deep waterMaintaining upright position for 10 bounces
Bubble blowing
Supported float on front
Supported float on back
Water Entry and Exit:
Enter and exit water independently using ladder, ramp, steps or side of poolLocomotion:
Walk 5 yards in chest deep water maintaining balanceMove 5 years along side of pool maintaining contact with wall
Supported kicking on front
Supported kicking on back
Walk 5 yards in chest deep water alternating arms
Demonstrate alternating arm action holding side of pool
Personal Safety and Rescue:
Learn basic water safety rulesDemonstrate reaching assists and enter water
Back to List
Level 2: Skills
Water Adjustment:
Hold breath and fully submerge face 3 secondsSubmerge and retrieve object in chest deep water or
Submerge and retrieve object suspended at appropriate depth
Orientation to deep water
Buoyancy and Breath Control:
Bob 10 timesRhythmic breathing-with or without support
Prone float or glide unsupported and recovery 5 seconds
Back float or glide unsupported and recovery 5 seconds
Water Entry and Exit:
Step from the side of pool into chest deep water and recover to a vertical positionGet out at side of pool
Locomotion:
Flutter kick on front-support optionalFlutter kick on back-support optional
Finning on back-support optional
Demonstrate back crawl arm action
Combined stroke front-using alternating arm action and kick 5 yards
Combined stroke back-using choice or arm movement and kick 5 yards
Turning over front to back and back to front
Personal Safety and Rescue:
Enter water while wearing life jacketFloat in life jacket face out of water 1 minute
Perform reaching and extension assists from deck
Back to List
Level 3: Skills
Water Adjustment:
Retrieve object, eyes open, no support, from bottom of chest deep waterBuoyancy and Breath Control:
Bob in chest deep water, submerging head completely 25 timesBob at side of pool in water slightly over head
Water Entry and Exit:
Jump into deep water from side of poolDive from side of pool using kneeling and compact positions
Locomotion:
Front glide with push-off (2 body lengths)Back glide with push-off (2 body lengths)
Rhythmic breathing:
Swim front crawl, breathing as necessary to front or side (15 yards)(Must be proficient in rhythmic breathing)
Swim back craw (15 yards)
Elementary backstroke kick, with or without kick board (15 yards)
Reverse directions while swimming on front
Reverse directions while swimming on back
Personal Safety and Rescue:
Jump into deep water while wearing life jacketTread water (60 seconds)
Demonstrate H.E.L.P. positions (1 minute)
Demonstrate Huddle positions in groups of 3 or more
Back to List
Level 4: Skills - Stroke Development
Buoyancy and Breath Control:
Swim underwater, 3 body lengthsWater Entry and Exit:
Dive from side in a compact or stride positionPerform a feet-first surface dive and submerge completely
Locomotion:
Front crawl, 25 yardsBreaststroke, 15 yards Butterfly, 15 yards
Back crawl, 25 yards
Elementary backstroke, 15 yards
Swim on one side with scissors kick, 15 yards
Open turn on front and push off in streamlined position
Open turn on back and push off in streamlined position
Tread water using modified scissors, breaststroke or rotary kick and sculling arm motions, 1 minute.
Personal Safety and Rescue:
Additional rules for safe divingCompact jump into the water from a height while wearing a life jacket
Throwing assist
Caring for conscious choking victim
Back to List
Level 5: Skills - Stroke Refinement
Water Entry and Exit:
Shallow dive from the sideShallow dive, glide two body lengths, begin any from stroke
Buoyancy and Breath Control:
Tuck surface divePike surface dive
Survival float
Back float
Locomotion:
Front crawl, 50 yardsBreaststroke, 25 yards
Butterfly, 25 yards
Back crawl, 25 yards
Elementary backstroke, 25 yards
Swim on one side with scissors kick, 15 yards
Flip turn while swimming in front
Flip turn while swimming in back
Tread water using modified scissors, breaststroke or rotary kick and sculling arm motions, 2 minute.
Personal Safety and Rescue:
Survival swimmingRescue breathing
Back to List
Level 6 . Fitness Swimming
Copper 12.minute swim pre-assessmentEndurance:
Swim 500 yards continuously using the strokes in the following order:Front Crawl 100 yards
Back Crawl 100 yards
Breaststroke 50 yards
Elementary Backstroke 50 yards
Sidestroke 50 yards
Butterfly 50 yards
Choice of Stoke 100 yards
Turns:
Front Crawl open turnSidestroke open turn
Backstroke open turn
Front Flip open turn
Breaststroke turn
Butterfly turn
Backstroke flip turn
New Skills and Information:
Demonstrate etiquette in fitness swimmingUse of a pace clock
Use of a pull buoy while swimming
Use fins while swimming
Use paddles while swimming
Describe the principles of setting up a fitness program
Demonstrate various training techniques
Calculate target heart rate
Apply principles of water exercise
Back to List
Level 7 . Lifeguard Readiness
Endurance Skills:
Swim 500 yards continuouslyFront crawl 100 yards
Butterfly, 50 yards
Back crawl, 100 yards
Breaststroke, 50 yards
Elementary backstroke, 50 yards
Swim on one side with scissors kick, 50 yards
Choice of stroke, 100 yards
Turns:
Front crawl open turnSidestroke open turn
Backstroke open turn
Front flip turn
Breaststroke turn
Butterfly turn
Backstroke flip turn
Review Skills and Information:
Feet first surface divePike surface dive
Tuck surface dive
Check-Call-Care
Call for emergency help
Care for conscious choking victim
Reaching assist
Throwing assist
Rescue Breathing
New Skills and Information:
Tread waterTread water, kicking only
Compact jump from height with rescue tube
Front crawl with rescue tube trailing
Breaststroke with rescue tube trailing
Surface dive and retrieve object from bottom
Swim in back holding object (face out of water)
Wading assist with equipment
Walking assist
Beach drag
Hip and should support
Head splint
Using a backboard
Two-person removal from water
Back to Top
