SwimSafer Test Items
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Here are the Test Items for the SwimSafer Test. (Had tried to put it in table form initially but can’t seem to do it on the forum due to my little IT knowledge) Stage 4 is also known as Bronze, while stage 5 is known as Silver and Stage 6 is known as Gold. However, let me stressed again, this SwimSafer program is very different from the NASSA test. Thus, please do not think that if your kid has passed NASSA Bronze, he will be able to do SwimSafer Silver. It is perfectly alright for him to be allocated to a lower stage under Swimsafer if he can’t do the items in the program.
Some parents have asked if they are able to train and register their kids for the test on their own without training under a coach. It is highly unlikely that most parents will be able to train their own kids for Swimsafer. Eg. there are quite a number of rescue skills to be taught which the parents are unable to let their kids practise in a public pool without a coach. The lifeguards will not allow the usage of life jacket or rope without a coach.
I think I must be one of the most Kiasu swimming coaches around. I have started teaching some of my students the new test items even though the program will officially launch in July. I think majority of the other coaches had not started teaching the new program or even attended the instructor course yet at this point in time.
As I had predicted, majority of my students are very excited when doing the part with the life jackets and rescue skills. They are also pretty happy with the part that they do not have to do timings with pyjamas anymore and have much shorter distance to swim. Well, most people will definitely be happy .
A lot of us like variety and new interesting experiences. SwimSafer is able to provide more of this as compared to NASSA. In my opinion, the new SwimSafer program is much less strenuous than the previous NASSA test. However, there are certain items that are not easy for some of the kids. For eg, sculling without kicking is pretty difficult for young kids. They also have to demonstrate a forward and backward sommersault in the water in stage 4.
At this moment, I will continue to gather more feedback and further analyse the new program again after some more classes. Will post the updates again if they are significant!
SwimSafer Test Items
Stage 1
Entry and Exit
Enter the water safely and confidently with slide in entry and exit using ladder and from pool edge
Scull and Body Orient
1)Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing position
2)Recover from a back float or back glide to a standing position
3)Introduction to Flotation survival technique
Underwater Skills
Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles
Movement / Strokes
1)Forward movement 10m
2) Introduction to backward movement 5m
Survival Skills
1)Support body in an upright position and signal distress
2)Grasp a floatation aid thrown for support
3)Be pulled to safety
4)Wearing clothing, correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float 30s and then climb out of deep water
Rescue Skills
Nil
Knowledge
1)Rules of behavior in, on or near the water
2)Water safety knowledge at a swimming pool
Stage 2
Entry and Exit
Perform a step-in entry
Scull and Body Orient
1)Demonstrate sculling in an upright position for 10s with arms only
2)Demonstrate the ability to change direction on command
Underwater Skills
1)Search for and recover an object in chest deep water depth.
2)Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive
Movement / Strokes
25m forward movement – Any stroke
Survival Skills
1)Swim wearing clothing for 15m
2)Demonstrate flotation survival technique for 1min
3)Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water and swim for 5m and climb out of deep water
Rescue Skills
Nil
Knowledge
Water safety rules in various aquatic environment
Stage 3
Entry and Exit
Perform a stride/straddle entry
Scull and Body Orient
1)Demonstrate sculling in a horizontal position for 10s with arms only
2)Demonstrate the ability to change direction on command
3)Demonstrate reverse action
Underwater Skills
In chest deep water, swim through hoops on pool bottom 2m apart
Movement / Strokes
Swim 50m continuously
(25m using either Breaststroke or Front-Crawl
25m using either Backstroke or Survival Backstroke)
Survival Skills
1)Swim wearing clothing for 25m
2) Demonstrate ability to correctly fit a PFD in the water
Rescue Skills
1)Throw a flotation aid to a partner at 3m distance and instruct to kick to the edge
2)Perform a reach rescue using a rigid aid and pull a partner to safety
Knowledge
Principles of personal survival
Stage 4 (Bronze)
Entry and Exit
Enter water using a compact jump
Scull and Body Orient
Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water
Underwater Skills
1)Search for and recover an object in 1.5m of water depth
2)Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive
Movement / Strokes
Swim 100m continuously
(25m Front-Crawl, 25m Breaststroke, 25m Backstroke, 25m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke)
Survival Skills
Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt, demonstrate 3min swimming slowly using any appropriate swim stroke, changing each min
Rescue Skills
1)Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6m
2)Wade to a person and deliver a flotation aid in deep water
3)Approach in “Ready” position
Knowledge
Principles of water craft safety
Stage 5 (Silver)
Entry and Exit
Demonstrate a dive entry (crouching)
Scull and Body Orient
Keep face above the water for 60s sculling with hands only
Underwater Skills
In 1.5m of water depth, swim through hoops on pool bottom 3m apart
Movement / Strokes
Swim 200m continuously
(50m Front-Crawl, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke)
Efficient stroke techniques must be used
Survival Skills
1)Dressed in long pants and long sleeved shirt, enter deep water, submerge feet first
2)Swim underwater 3m
3)Scull, float for 3min waving for help intermittently
Clothing might be removed
4)Fit PFD, swim 25m and climb out
Rescue Skills
Using a Buoyant aid, accompanied (non-contact) rescue of a person 15m from safety
Knowledge
Recognising an Emergency
Stage 6 (Gold)
Entry and Exit
Demonstrate a standing Dive
Scull and Body Orient
Keep face above the water surface for 60s using legs only
Underwater Skills
1)Search for and recover an object in 1.8m of water depth
2)Demonstrate equalizing of ear/nose
Movement / Strokes
Swim 400m continuously
(100m Breaststroke, 100m Front-Crawl, 100m Backstroke, 100m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke)
Efficient stroke techniques must be used
Survival Skills
1)In long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes & socks, enter deep water, swim 5m underwater to escape a sinking boat
2)Swim 45m, remove shoes &Swim slowly 50m, signaling for help
3)Remove clothing, fit PFD, swim 100m,
HELP technique, climb out
Rescue Skills
Using a suitable buoyant aid, tow (non-contact) rescue of a person 10m from safety
Knowledge
Principles when performing a rescue