American Red Cross
Swimming Lesson Requirements
In order to enter a level, the child must be able to complete all skills in the preceding level.
Water Exploration • Fully submerge face for 3 seconds • 10 bounces in chest deep water • Bob to chin level with support • Float supported on front • Float supported on back • Blow bubbles • Enter and exit pool alone • Kick supported on back • Kick supported on front • Walk 5 yards alternating arms • Discuss basic water safety rules • Become familiar with getting help • Reaching assists without equipment |
Primary Skills • Fully submerge face for 3 seconds • Retrieve objects in chest deep water • Retrieve objects while suspended • Explore deep water with support • Prone glide, float, and recovery for 5 seconds • Supine glide, float and recovery for 5 seconds • Leveling off from vertical float • Rhythmic breathing while bobbing (10 times) • Recovery from chest deep water into vertical float • Flutter kick on front (support optional) • Flutter kick on back (support optional) • Finning on back • Back crawl arm action • Combined stroke on front for 5 yards • Combined stroke on back for 5 yards • Turning over – front to back • Turning over – back to front • Assist non-swimmer to feet |
Stroke Readiness • Retrieve chest-deep object with eyes open • Retrieve suspended object with eyes open • Explore deep water with support • Bob with head under 15 times in chest-deep water • Jump into deep water • Dive from dock • Prone glide two body lengths • Supine glide two body lengths • Front crawl 10 yards breathing front or side • Coordinated back crawl 10 yards • Elementary backstroke kick 10 yards • Reverse direction while swimming on front • Reverse direction while swimming on back • Tread water • Learn safe diving rules |
Stroke Development • Deep water bobbing • Experiment with buoyancy and floating positions • Rotary breathing • Standing front dive • Elementary backstroke 10 yards • Sculling on back 5 yards or 15 seconds • Front crawl 25 yards with rotary breathing • Back crawl 25 yards • Breaststroke kick 10 yards with or without support • Sidestroke kick 10 yards with or without support • Tread water 2 minutes with any kick |
Stroke Development • Alternate breathing • Stride jump entry • Long shallow dive • Breaststroke 10 yards • Sidestroke 10 yards • Swim under water 3 body lengths • Elementary backstroke 25 yards • Back crawl 50 yards • Dolphin kick 10 yards • Front crawl 50 yards • Open turn on front |
Stroke Proficiency • Front crawl 100 yards with one turn • Back crawl 100 yards with one turn • Breaststroke 25 yards • Butterfly 10 yards • Approach stroke 10 yards • Breaststroke turn • Sidestroke turn • Speed turn for breaststroke • Flip turn front crawl • Pike surface dive • Tuck surface dive • Tread water for 3 minutes, one minute without hands • Throwing rescue • Roll spinal injury face up |