Resources

2.3 kg (5 lb.) weight: A soft rubber encased weight, commonly used in pools. Example: 5 lb. Easy Grip Brick. Alternate options may be used, as long as they weigh 2.3 kg (5 lb.) on land and measure 0 newtons of buoyancy. Any object used must be encased in material (i.e. rubber, neoprene) that will prevent injuries to candidates using them and prevent damage to the bottom of the pool/basin they are being utilized in.

4.5 kg (10 lb.) weight: A soft rubber encased weight, commonly used in pools. Example: 10 lb. Easy Grip Brick. Alternate options may be used, as long as they weigh 4.5 kg (10 lb.) on land and measure 0 newtons of buoyancy. Any object used must be encased in material (i.e. rubber, neoprene) that will prevent injuries to candidates using them and prevent damage to the bottom of the pool/basin they are being utilized in.

Clothing: Any clothing worn by candidates in the water should be: of light colour, appropriately sized (not loose), light-weight, and easily removed quickly (i.e. no button, ties, zippers).

Timing device: A stop watch, pace clock, or digital timer are great options. A cell phone may offer timing capability, but consult the host / affiliate to confirm if use of a cell phone during the course / recertification is permissible.

Practice first aid kit: Contents include: blankets, towels, ice packs and epi pen trainer for in-class use.  Optional items may include: gloves, band aids, gauze, dressings, triangular bandages, etc.

Buoyant rescue aids: Buoyant rescue aids may include a rescue tube, throw bag, ring buoy, pool noodle, or an adult lifejacket or PFD. All buoyant rescue aids should be a minimum 50 newtons of buoyancy, which is equivalent to an adult lifejacket approved by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Obstacle: Includes a lane rope, buoy line or other rope at the surface of the water, floating mat, hoop, pool noodle, or other item at the surface that requires the candidate to fully submerge.

Sinking Objects: Highly visible small-scale objects that do not float, that are easy to grip and hold.  Example: diving rings, sinking toys, etc.

Resuscitation manikin: A CPR manikin designed for practicing compressions, AED and ventilations that include disposable lungs. Examples: PRESTAN®, ACTAR Defib®, ACTAR 911®. If sharing equipment, ensure cleaning and disinfecting prior to each use.

Swim for Life Strokes and Skills Video

Strokes & Skills is designed to help Swim Instructors teach and evaluate kids in the Swim for Life program. The 24 minute video features real kids in 8 segments covering:

• Front Crawl
• Back Crawl
• Breaststroke
• Entries
• Dives
• Movement Skills
• Kicks
• Fitness

Strokes & Skills brings the Swim for Life Award Guide to life. Real kids demonstrate stroke and skill mechanics that meet the Must Sees across different levels. Underwater views, slow motion, freeze frame, colourful animation and instant replay mean you can see Must Sees like you've never seen them before. Purchase the video on LifeguardDepot.com.

Watch the trailer:

Swim for Life Seals Certificate

Download this certifcate and print it. There is room for all of your Lifesaving Society learn-to-swim seals.

Keep them moving

There are several different styles and philosophies for teaching young people how to swim. One recurring challenge is keeping the participants interested and the entire class moving. Here are a few tips:

1. Give preschoolers something to practice such as blowing bubbles or kicking while practicing floats, glides or swims with other swimmers.
2. Assign swimmers different names (e.g., apple and orange). Have all the apples do an assigned task followed by the oranges, etc.
3. While teaching strokes, use practice formations that allow more than one swimmer to participate at one time.
4. As a swimming instructor, your goal is to provide participants with ample opportunity to practice and lots of feedback to improve their swimming strokes and skills. To do this, remember EGGS:

E - Explain & demonstrate

Keep your instructions short and specific; then demonstrate so the swimmers can see the skill. When demonstrating, swim across the class rather than away from them.

G - Group practice

The more practice you give your swimmers the better. By having more than one swimmer go at once, you give them more opportunities to succeed and make the most of your class time. Ensure that you are constantly scanning the entire class while they are practicing.

G - Group feedback & correction

After completing a skill, give the swimmers feedback and correction as a group. Make sure you give them an opportunity to practice the skill again and reinforce your feedback.

S - Specific feedback & correction

While the group is practicing, provide each swimmer with specific feedback of what they need to work on. Remember to correct the most serious errors first, and let the swimmer concentrate on a single correction at a time.

By using the EGGS principle, you will maximize the amount of practice time per participant and give the swimmers lots of opportunities to improve their strokes and skills.

Remember, the best place to learn how to swim is in the water!

Parent & Tot Tips

Opening games

Opening activities for Parent & Tot should take less than 5 minutes, be fun and imaginative and ease children into the water.

Circle time

Aim for 5 to 10 minutes of circle time. Try breaking circle time up into two or three 5-minute sessions throughout your lesson. There are lots of fun activities, games and songs to use during circle time.

How to use progressions in Parent & Tot

Tip 1 - Progressions are the components that make up a skill. Refer to pages 3 to 6 of Teaching Swim for Life to see sample progressions for Parent & Tot.

Tip 2 - Begin by explaining what progressions are. When teaching, explain which progressions are components of which skills.

Tip 3 - Always explain the goal of the day's lesson and which progresssion you'll be focusing on that day to allow parents to focus on the right things.

Tip 4 - Explaining progressions to the parents prevents boredom and allows them to work with their kids outside of class time as well.

Submersion

Everything you need to know to prepare parents for the first dunk.

WHY - Submersion at an early age helps kids adjust to, and be comfortable in, the water. it teaches breath control, which is essential when learning to swim.

WHEN - Submersion needs to be done when the PARENT is comfortable and ready. A rushed parent will be nervous and that nervousness will transfer to the child.

WHEN - There is no rush to submerge a child. Start by explaining the benefits and the procedure with your class.