SWIMSAFER PROGRAM

Introduction to SWIMSAFER program

SwimSafer is 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, as stated :-


Stage 1: Introduction to Water Skills

The objective is to gain confidence and develop independence in the water, as well as learn general and deep-end water safety. Techniques taught include forward and backward movement, safe entry and exit, and introduction to personal water survival skills.

At the end of stage 1, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Enter the water safely and confidently with slide-in entry and exit using ladder and from pool edge. 
2. Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing position. 
3. Recover from a back float or back glide to a standing position. 
4. Introduction to Flotation Survival Technique. 
5. Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles. 
6. Forward movement 10 metres continuously. 
7. Introduction to Backward movement 5 metres. 
8. Support body in an upright position and signal distress. 
9. Grasp a flotation aid thrown for support. 
10. Be pull to safety. 
11. Wearing clothing (short sleeved T-shirt & shorts), correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of deep water. 
12. Rule of behaviour in, on or near the water. 
13. Water safety knowledge at a swimming pool. 

Stage 2: Fundamental Water Skills

General skills development will include unassisted step entry into water, sculling, feet-first surface dives, personal water safety skills and water safety awareness in an aquatic environment. The student will be encouraged to achieve 25 metres of continuous swim.

At the end of stage 2, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Perform a step-in entry. 
2. Demonstrate sculling in an upright (vertical) position for 10 seconds with arms only. 
3. Demonstrate the ability to change direction on command. 
4. Search for and recover an object in chest deep water depth. 
5. Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive in deep water. 
6. 25 metres movement continuously - Any stroke. 
7. Swim wearing clothing (short-sleeved T-shirt & shorts) for 15 metres continuously. 
8. Demonstrate flotation survival technique for 1 minutes. 
9. Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water and swim for 5 metres and climb out of deep water. 
10. Water safety rules in various aquatic environments. 

Stage 3: 

Personal Water Survival and Stroke Development Skills


Principles of personal water survival and basic rescue skills will be taught. The student will demonstrate proficiency in sculling, underwater skills, and the use of a Personal Floatation Device (PFD). The student will be encourage to achieve 50 metres of continuous swim.

At the end of stage 3, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Perform a stride / straddle entry.
2. Demonstrate sculling in a horizontal position for 10 seconds with arms only.
3. Demonstrate the ability to rotate on command.
4. Demonstrate reverse action.
5. In chest deep water, swim through hoops on pool bottom 2 metres apart.
6. Swim 25 metres using either Breaststroke or Front-Crawl.
7. Swim 25 metres using either Backstroke or Survival Backstroke.
8. Swim wearing clothing (short-sleeved T-shirt & shorts) for 25 metres continuously.
9. Demonstrate ability to correctly fit a PFD in the water.
10. Throw a flotation aid to a partner at 3 metres distance and instruct to kick to the edge.
11. Perform a reach rescue using a rigid aid and pull a partner to safety.
12. Principles of personal survival. 

Stage 4 (SwimSafer Bronze): 

Personal Water Survival and Stroke Improvement Skills


Development of the student's stroke techniques will be a focus here, along with coordinated breathing in deep water while swimming 100 metres. Principles of water craft safety will be introduced, as well as continual work on rescue and personal survival skills.

At the end of stage 4, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Entry water using a compact jump.
2. Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water.
3. Search for and recover an object in 1.5 metres of water depth.
4. Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive.
5. Swim 100 metres continuously :- 25m Front-Crawl; 25m Breaststroke; 25m Backstroke; 25m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke.
6. Dressed in swimwear, shorts and T-shirt demonstrate 3 minutes swimming slowly using any appropriate swimming stroke, changing each minute.
7. Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6 metres.
8. Wade to a person and deliver a flotation aid.
9. Approach in "Ready' position.
10. Principles of water craft safety.

Stage 5 (SwimSafer Silver): 

Intermediate Personal Water Survival and Stroke Refinement Skills


Fundamentals of diving will be introduced. Development of rescue skills and personal survival skills will also continue at more advanced levels. The student will be required to demonstrate efficient stroke techniques to complete stage 5 before progressing to stage 6.

At the end of stage 5, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Demonstrate a dive entry (crouching).
2. Body in vertical position, keep face above the water for 60 seconds sculling with hands only.
3. In 1.5 metres of water depth, swim through hoops on pool bottom 3 metres apart (NO GOGGLES).
4. Swim 200 metres continuously :- 50m Front-Crawl; 50m Breaststroke; 50m Backstroke; 50m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke [Efficient stroke techniques must be used].
5. Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt, perform the following as a continuous sequence :- (a) Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method; (b) Submerge feet first, swim underwater for 3 metres; (c) Resurface scull, float or tread water for 3 minutes waving for help intermittently; (d) Correctly fit a PFD while treading water and then swim 25 metres and climb out of the water.
6. Using a buoyant aid, accompanied (non-contact) rescue a person 15 metres from safety.
7. Recognizing and Emergency.

Stage 6 (SwimSafer Gold): 

Advanced Personal Water Survival and Swimming Skills Proficiency


The student will be required to perform strokes with greater ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over 400 metres. Rescue skills and water safety knowledge will be focus on lifesaving readiness. Standing dive and advanced personal water survival skills will continue to be taught.

At the end of stage 6, kids have successfully completed the following swimming, water safety and survival skills :-

1. Demonstrate a standing dive.
2. Body in upright (vertical) position, keep face above the water surface for 60 seconds using legs only.
3. Perform a head first surface dive.
4. Demonstrate equalizing of ear / nose.
5. Search for and recover an object in 1.8 metres of water depth.
6. Swim 400 metres continuously :- 100m Breaststroke; 100m Front-Crawl; 100m Backstroke: 100m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke. [Efficient stroke techniques must be used].
7. Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt, perform the following as a continuous sequence :- (a) Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method, swim 5 metres underwater to simulate an escape from a sinking boat surrounded by oil; (b) Swim a further 45 metres as escaping from a dangerous situation; (c) Swim slowly for further 50 metres using any preferred swim stroke occasionally signalling for help; (d) Remove clothing in deep water. Fit PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100 metres using appropriate strokes; (e) Demonstrate HELP (Help - Escape - Lessening - Posture) technique and climb out of the water whilst wearing PFD. 
8. Using a buoyant aid, tow (non-contact) rescue of a person 10 metres from safety.
9. Principles when performing a rescue.

Note :-
The SwimSafer Programme serves to promote safe swimming and aims to provide a safer and positive experience for those involved in water sports. All student swimmers must exercise their own caution and everyone is nevertheless responsible for their own well being. Singapore Sports Council totally excludes any liability whatsoever for any death, personal injury or mishap that my occurs.

HAVE FUN, SWIM SAFE.

Above article is extracted from Singapore Sport Council (SSC) and the National Water Safety Council (NWSC).




About SWIMSAFER Program

Q1. What is the rationale behind replacing the Learn-To-Swim Programme (LTSP) and National Survival Swimming Award (NASSA) with SwimSafer programme?
Answer :-
A review initiated by the National Water Safety Council (NWSC) in 2008 determined that an integrated programme combining the merits of the LTSP and NASSA to form a single national framework, which is known as SwimSafer programme. This programme is to ensure that students learn basic swimming, survival and lifesaving skills concurrently.

Q2. Will the LTSP and NASSA cease to exist with the implementation of the SwimSafer?
Answer :-
As the SwimSafer is designated as the replacement programme for the LTSP and NASSA, both the latter programmes would be discontinued with effect from 5 July 2010.

Q3. Why must the swimming instructor attend SwimSafer Instructor Course (SSIC) in order to teach this programme?
Answer :-
As the SwimSafer is a new programme, there is a need for existing instructors to attend a 2 days conversion course to familiarise themselves with the philosophy and methodology of the SwimSafer programme.

Q4. What are the differences in this new SwimSafer programme from the previous Learn-To-Swim Programme?
Answer :-
SwimSafer programme is a six-stage level which incorporated progressive elements of swimming, water survival and lifesaving skills at each level.

Q5. If the instructor does not wish to teach the SwimSafer programme can the instructor continue to teach private swimming classes at the Singapore Sports Council's (SSC) Sports and Recreation Centres (SRCs)?
Answer :-
It is a requirement for all instructors teaching private swimming classes in SRC to be part of the SwimSafer programme.

Q6. Is the National Registry of Coaches (NROC) required for instructor teaching SwimSafer programme?
Answer :-
YES! It is a requirement for all instructors teaching SwimSafer to register with NROC as a member or to renew their NROC membership.

Q7. Where can I find more information on SwimSafer?
Answer :-
You can find more information from SSC website at www.ssc.gov.com.

Note : The above article is extracted from SSC.