The Swim to Survive® and Swim to Survive®+ programs are fun and safe ways to learn safety swimming skills. Check out these resources to better understand and prepare for the programs.
For parents
Swim to Survive Video - English, French and eight other languages.
Parent Letter - Introduction to the Swim to Survive program (PDF)
English
French
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Farsi
Hindi
Punjabi
Russian
Tamil
Urdu
Parent Letter - Completion of the Swim to Survive program (PDF)
English
French
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Farsi
Hindi
Punjabi
Russian
Tamil
Urdu
Swim to Survive Parent Survey / Commentaire des Parents
:::
Parent Letter - Introduction to the Swim to Survive+ program (PDF)
English
French
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Farsi
Hindi
Punjabi
Russian
Tamil
Urdu
Parent Letter - Completion of the Swim to Survive+ program (PDF)
English
French
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Farsi
Hindi
Punjabi
Russian
Tamil
Urdu
Swim to Survive+ Parent Survey / Commentaire des Parents
For students
For teachers
Swim to Survive Letter to Teachers - English / French
Swim to Survive+ Letter to Teachers - English / French
Parent letters - (see above)
If you are a Grade 3 or 7 teacher and your students are participating in the Swim to Survive School Grant Program, you are in the right place. We are thrilled to provide you with all the tools you need to deliver Water Smart drowning prevention education to your students and important information for parents about Swim to Survive.
There are three aspects to the Lifesaving Society's Swim to Survive program:
- Three in-water lessons - 1 hour each in length
- Three in-classroom curriculum-based lessons
- Parent education about Swim to Survive
We expect that you will teach the three in-classroom lessons. Lesson plans are linked below.
Swim to Survive Classroom Curriculum-Based Lesson Timeline
Week 1
Parent/Guardian information and permission
- Copy and send home the “Dear parent/guardian” letter about the program (available in 9 languages).
- Send home your school board’s Field Trip form to get parent/guardian permission.
Program information for students
Week 2
In-class Lesson #1 – “Be Water Smart” / Lesson plan 1 in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 1A / 1A in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 1B / 1B in French
Week 3
In-class Lesson #2 – “Act right on or near ice” / Lesson plan 2 in French
- Display the ice poster linked below “recommended minimum ice thickness for new clear hard ice” (1 provided) and hand out cards for students to take home (35 provided).
Lesson Plan Appendix 2A / 2A in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 2B / 2B in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 2C / 2C in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 2D / 2D in French
:::
Week 4–6
Parent/Guardian communication
- Send home parent/guardian handouts “Can your child survive an unexpected fall into deep water?” (35 individual copies provided. Available in nine additional languages online).
In-water lessons #1–3
- Students learn the three essential skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water (roll tread and swim 50 metres) from a certified instructor (approximately one hour per session).
Week 7
In-class Lesson #3 – “Live Water Smart” and Summative Task / Lesson plan 3 in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 3A / 3A in French
Lesson Plan Appendix 3B / 3B in French
Download all S2S Lesson Plans and Appendices
Swim to Survive+ Lesson plans
Additional Resources
Ice Thickness Poster (PDF)