Purpose:
To help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely.

Prerequisites: minimum 3 years old and toilet trained

Certification Requirements:
Successfully complete the following skills assessment:

1. Enter unassisted, move 5 yards, bob 5 times to chin level and safely exit the water (participants can walk, travel along the gutter or swim).
2. Float on front with support for 3 seconds, rollover onto back (with assistance), float on back with support for 3 seconds.

Key Elements of Level 1 Program:

• Enter and exit the water safely using a ladder, steps or side of the pool.
• Submerge mouth, nose and eyes.
• Exhale underwater (blow bubbles) through mouth and nose (3 seconds).
• Open eyes underwater, pick up a submerged object held at arms length (2 times).
• Recover from a front float to a standing position while supported.
• Show comfort maintaining a back float position while supported (5 seconds).
• Recover from a back float to a standing position while supported.
• Change direction of travel while walking or paddling.
• Roll over from front to back while supported.
• Roll over from back to front while supported.
• Explore arm and hand movements while treading in chest-deep water with support.
• Swim on front using any combination of arm and leg actions while supported (5 feet).
• Swim on back using any combination of arm and leg actions while supported (5 feet).
• Discuss water safety rules.
• Discuss how to use a lifejacket.
• Demonstrate wearing a lifejacket in the water.
• Discuss how to recognize a swimmer in distress.
• Demonstrate how to get help.