American Red Cross Swimming And Water Safety Skills Chart
Introduction
Swimming is an essential life skill that everyone should learn. It is not only a fun activity but also a great way to stay healthy and fit. However, water can be dangerous, and it is important to know how to be safe around it. The American Red Cross has developed a swimming and water safety skills chart to help people learn the necessary skills to be safe and confident around water.
The American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Skills Chart
The American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is a comprehensive guide that outlines the necessary skills for safe swimming and water activities. The chart is divided into six levels, each with its own set of skills. The levels are:
- Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills
- Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills
- Level 3 - Stroke Development
- Level 4 - Stroke Improvement
- Level 5 - Stroke Refinement
- Level 6 - Swimming and Skill Proficiency
The chart is designed to be used by swimmers of all ages and abilities. It is a great tool for parents who want to ensure that their children are safe around water, as well as for adults who want to learn or improve their swimming skills.
Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills
The first level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the introduction to water skills. This level is designed for people who have little or no experience in the water. The skills taught in this level include:
- Entering and exiting the water safely
- Blowing bubbles through the mouth and nose
- Opening eyes underwater and retrieving submerged objects
- Front and back floats
- Recovering to a vertical position
- Swimming on front and back using arm and leg action
These skills are essential for building a foundation of comfort and confidence in the water. By mastering these skills, swimmers can move on to the next level of the chart.
Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills
The second level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the fundamental aquatic skills level. This level is designed for people who are comfortable in the water and have mastered the skills taught in level one. The skills taught in this level include:
- Bobbing
- Front and back glides and floats
- Recovering to a vertical position
- Treading water using arm and leg actions
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
- Swimming on side using a scissor-like kick
These skills are designed to build on the foundation established in level one and to prepare swimmers for more advanced skills in the later levels.
Level 3 - Stroke Development
The third level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the stroke development level. This level is designed for swimmers who have mastered the skills taught in levels one and two and are ready to learn the basic swimming strokes. The skills taught in this level include:
- Front crawl with rotary breathing
- Back crawl
- Elementary backstroke
- Scissor and breaststroke kicks
- Turning over while swimming
These skills are designed to teach the basic swimming strokes, which are essential for efficient and effective swimming.
Level 4 - Stroke Improvement
The fourth level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the stroke improvement level. This level is designed for swimmers who have mastered the basic swimming strokes and are ready to improve their technique and endurance. The skills taught in this level include:
- Butterfly and breaststroke
- Front crawl and back crawl with flip turns
- Elementary backstroke and sidestroke
- Swimming using the dolphin kick
These skills are designed to improve swimmers' technique and endurance, which are essential for more advanced swimming activities.
Level 5 - Stroke Refinement
The fifth level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the stroke refinement level. This level is designed for swimmers who have mastered the basic and advanced swimming strokes and are ready to refine their technique and endurance. The skills taught in this level include:
- Refining all six strokes
- Swimming with increased distance and speed
- Swimming for fitness
- Flip turns and dives
These skills are designed to help swimmers become more efficient and effective in the water, and prepare them for more advanced swimming activities and competitions.
Level 6 - Swimming and Skill Proficiency
The sixth and final level of the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is the swimming and skill proficiency level. This level is designed for swimmers who have mastered all of the skills taught in the previous levels and are ready to use their skills for fitness, recreation, and competition. The skills taught in this level include:
- Swimming for fitness and endurance
- Swimming for recreation and fun
- Swimming for competition
- Advanced diving techniques
These skills are designed to help swimmers become proficient in all aspects of swimming and water activities, and to prepare them for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable aquatic experiences.
Conclusion
The American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is a comprehensive guide to learning the necessary skills for safe and confident swimming and water activities. By following the chart and mastering each level, swimmers can become proficient in all aspects of swimming and water safety. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced swimmer, the American Red Cross swimming and water safety skills chart is an invaluable tool for improving your skills and staying safe around water.