SwimSafer Programme and Syllabus
An initiative by
In Collaboration with
SwimSafer, a new national water safety programme, combines the National Survival Swimming Award (NASSA) and Learn-To-Swim-Programme (LTSP) into a progressive six-stage programme. At the end of eaech stage, each child will receive a stage completion certificate indicating his/her individual skill achievements. A badge will be awarded upon the completion of every stage.
In addition, each child be be awarded a coloured pin upon completion of each stage from stages 4 to 6.
SwimSafer Syllabus
Entries & Exits | Sculling & Body Orientation | Underwater Skills | Movement/Swimming/ Strokes | Survival & Activity Skills | Rescue Skills | Knowledge | |
Stage 1 | Enter the water safely and confidently with slide-in entry and exit using ladder and from pool edge. | Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing position.
Recover from a back float or glide to a standing position. Introduction to Floatation Survival Technique. |
Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles. | Swim – Any stroke. Forward movement 10m.Intro to Backward movement 5m. | Support body in an upright position and signal distress. Grasp a floatation aid thrown for support.
Be pulled to safety. Wearing clothing, correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of deep water. |
Rules of behaviour in, on or near the water. Water safety knowledge at a swimming pool. | |
Stage 2 | Perform a step-in entry. | Demonstrate sculling in an upright position for 10 seconds with arms only. | Seach for and recover an object in chest deep water depth. | Swim 25m – Any stroke.
Breastroke. Backstroke. Survival Backstroke. |
Swim wearing clothing for 15m.
Demonstrate floatation survival technique. Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water and swim for 5m and climb out of deep water. |
Water safety rules in various aquatic environments. | |
Stage 3 | Perform a stride/ straddle entry | Demonstrate sculling in a horizontal position for 10 seconds with arms only.
Demonstrate the ability to change direction on command. Demonstrate reverse action.
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In chest deep water swim through hoops on pool bottom 2m apart. | Swim 50m continously.
25m using either Breastroke or Front Crawl. 25m using either Backstroke or Survival Backstroke. |
Swim wearing clothing for 25m.
Demonstrate ability to correctly fit a PFD in the water. |
Throw a floatation aid to a partner at 3m distance and instruct to kick to the edge.
Perform a reach rescue using a rigid aid and pull a partner to safety. |
Principles of personal survival. |
Stage 4 (Bronze) | Enter water using a compact jump. | Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water. | Search for and recover an object in 1.5m of water depth.
Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive. |
Swim 100m continously.
25m Front Crawl. 25m Breastroke 25m Backstroke 25m Survival Backkstroke or Sidestroke |
Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt demonstrate
3 minutes swimming slowly using any appropriate swim stroke, changing each minute. |
Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope
over a distance of 6m. Wade to a person and deliver a floatation aid in deep water. Approach in “Ready” position. |
Principles of water craft safety. |
Stage 5 (Silver) | Demonstrate a dive entry (crouching) | Keep face above the water for 60 seconds sculling with hands only. | In 1.5m of water depth swim through hoops on pool bottom 3m apart. | Swim 200m continuously.
50m Front Crawl. 50m Breastroke. 50m Backstroke. 50m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke. Efficient stroke techniques must be used. |
Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt,perform the following as a continuous sequence;
Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method. Submerge feet first,swim underwater for 3m. Resurface scull, float or tread water for 3 minutes waving for help intermittently. Clothing may be removed. Correctly fit a PFD while treading water and then swim 25m and climb out of the water. |
Using a buoyant aid, accompanied (non-contact) rescue of a person 15m from safety. | Recognising an Emergency. |
Stage 6 (Gold) | Demonstrate a standing dive | Keep face above the water surface for 60 seconds using legs only. | Seach for and recover an object in 1.8m of water depth.
Demonstrate equalising ear/nose. |
Swim 400m continuously.
100m Breastroke. 100m Front Crawl. 100m Backstroke. 100m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke. Efficient stroke techniques must be used. |
Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, perform the following sequence;
Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method swim 5m underwater to simulate an escape form a sinking boat surrounded by oil. Swim a further 45m as if escaping from a dangerous situation. Remove shoes and then swim slowly for further 50m using any preferred swim stroke occasionally signalling for help. Remove clothing in deep water, fit PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100m using appropriate strokes. Demonstrate HELP technique and climb out of the water whilst wearing the PFD. |
Using a suitable buoyant aid, tow(non-contact) rescue of a person 10m from safety. | Principles when perfoming a rescue. |