Junior Swim and Survive
Children aged 6 to 9 years.
Aquatic competence Award
Swim and Survive
Children aged 10 to 12
years.
Aquatic competence
Award
Senior Swim and
Survive
Children aged 13 to 15 years
Certification
Compliance To:
World Water Safety
INTERNATIONAL LIFE
SAVING FEDERATION
Lifesaving Position
Statement – MPS-15. Basic Aquatic Survival Skill
STATEMENT (recommendations)
1.
Basic aquatic survival
skill is defined as the ability to demonstrate the following set of skills, in
a consistent and competent manner.
a.
Enter and exit water
safely;
b.
Float in water with airway
above the surface of the water (note: movement of limbs and body to be
permitted) for a minimum time of 30 seconds and while breathing in a relaxed
manner;
c.
Move through water using
any form of propulsion and combination of strokes on the front, back or side
for a minimum distance of 25 meters;
d.
Rescue and be rescued by
extending or grasping a rescue aid (e.g. pole, bottle, rope etc.) and be guided
to safety over a distance (i.e. 3 to 5 metres).
e.
Practice putting on and
swimming and floating using a PFD
2.
Achievement of basic
aquatic survival skill acquisition should not preclude nor deter on-going
participation in aquatic education programs. Whilst some elements of such learning
may be life-long in nature, on-going and/or regular instruction or practice is
encouraged.
3.
Careful consideration
should be given to ensure that the skills being developed are in an appropriate
development sequence that recognises the long term physical and mental
development of the learner, in particular children.
4.
The assessment of
competence in the basic aquatic survival skill should be conducted:
a.
with the bare minimum of
supporting equipment (i.e. no fins or flotation aids);
b.
in any suitable body of
water (still water under controlled situations) over a measured distance;
c.
by assessors who have
achieved a required level of skill and competence;
d.
with ratios of student to
instructor appropriate for the skill level (e.g. beginner) and appropriate for
the water conditions and with due considerations for safety of all persons
involved.
5.
Instruction in basic
swimming skills should aim to build awareness of a range of water conditions
such as moving water, breaking waves, rip currents and the like with a focus on
the predominant drowning scenarios that are encountered in the country or
region.
6.
Based on the notion that
unintentional fall into water is a factor in some drowning incidents, practice
while wearing and/or removing clothing is an important part of basic aquatic
survival skill acquisition. The level of clothing worn during such instruction
should be consistent with that normally worn in the country and region in which
the person normally resides.
7.
At all times the health and
safety of the students under instruction or assessment is paramount.
Organisations conducting teaching and assessment should ensure the safety of
their programme participants through the provision of adequate surveillance and
supervision that may include the use of additional lifeguards and/or rescue
equipment, as appropriate.
8.
The teaching of “basic
aquatic survival skill” is largely independent of age (and possibly other
attributes including disability) and is based on an assessment of development
of motor skills and cognitive abilities of the individual as well as the
various delivery methodologies in use throughout the world.
DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS
Competence: The quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually.Deep: Extending far below the surface of the water, and beyond where a person can stand.
PFD: Personal Flotation Device
Gemeenteplein 26 – 3010 Leuven –
Belgium
Tel: +32/(0)16-89.60.60 – Fax: +32/(0)16-89.70.70
E-mail: ils.hq@telenet.be
- Web: www.ilsf.org
No comments:
Post a Comment