WATER SAFETY CURRICULUM

WATER SAFETY CURRICULUM

SWIM LESSONS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES 1. Knowing how to swim is central to water safety: a. Greatly reduces odds of drowning b. Makes your friends, family and others safer when you are around c. As important as knowing how to swim is, we still have to follow the rules i. We still follow the rules learned in other units, especially in open water ii. Knowing how to swim isn t much help if you dive into shallow water, get caught in a rip tide, etc 2. Other benefits of swim lessons and knowing how to swim a. Parents will trust you more at pools, beach, and water parks b. Great job opportunities in high school lifeguard, swim instructor, etc c. Fun water activities water skiing, jet skiing, water polo, swim team 3. Swim Team a. US Swimming Tradition i. US Swimming in the world is like the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL ii. This organization has sent many participants to the Olympics and provides lifelong activity b. Seneca Valley Swimming Tradition i. WPIAL/State team and individual records, results get from Brian ii. Exciting time for team new coach, building team and tradition iii. Growing tradition 84 new team records set in the past year c. Benefits of Swimming i. Great physical fitness 1. Uses all muscles in your body 2. Amazing lung strength and heart health 3. Low injury sport 4. Goal setting, positive effort, practice, perseverance and many traits colleges and employers look for ii. Special skill 1. Most kids can throw a ball, run, etc but not everyone can swim a. Swimmers on the swim team can swim as far as 3 miles in 2 hours. ** Demonstrate examples of swimming strokes b. Swimming is a skill where you need to practice, set goals and strive to become better. Benefit of hard work and practice. Iii. Camaraderie 2. Swim meets are half day events with lots of downtime, kids get to hang out between events, and cheer each other on. 3. Build strong friendships 4. Development of teamwork, cooperation, and support. 5. Being a member of a team

4. Materials for kids to take home a. Item #1: Highlights of benefits of having kids learn to swim b. Item #2: Information about where to get swim lessons c. Item #3: Article about benefits of swimming as a sport (improved academic performance, discipline, etc ) d. Item #4: Information about local swim teams (SVSC, Cranberry Township, Zelie Pool, EDCO Park, summer swimming, etc )

LIFE GUARD AND THEIR DUTIES & COMMUNITY POOL TOUR 1. Lifeguard(s) a. Introduction to Life Guard(s) i. Lifeguards are there to Help You b. Where are Lifeguards located at pool i. Reasons for Lifeguard positions 1. Watch over swimming areas, play areas, decks, slides and all areas of the pool. 2. Chairs allow Lifeguards to see more of the pool (Try it Out!) c. Duties of Lifeguard i. Insure safety of everybody at the pool 1. Use whistle (alarm) to alert possible dangers situations. 2. What to do when you hear a whistle. Stop, Look, and Listen. ii. Make sure pool rules and regulations being followed iii. Maintain pool 1. Filtering / cleaning of pool. Welcome to the OOL, notice no P, keep that way! 2. Testing pool water (chlorine) 3. Pool safety equipment a. First Aid Kit - Where to find... b. Rescue Equipment - Where to find... iv. Maintain area around pool 1. Tripping / falling hazards 2. Area around pool clean (litter, debris, harmful chemicals, etc.) 2. Requirements to become a Lifeguard a. Advanced swimmer b. Obtain Lifeguard Certification c. Trained in lifesaving techniques d. Know all pool rules Continued

3. Pool Tour a. Shallow Water / Deep Water i. Don t go in deep water unless you are a good swimmer or with an adult ii. Jumping / Diving rules. Why we have these. 1. How to enter into the water iii. Location of rescue equipment. Visit. iv. Location of pool drains v. Diving area 1. Rules for diving area. Why? vi. Water Slide (Cranberry) 1. Rules for Water slide. Why? 4. Other Recreational areas at Facility a. Locker Rooms b. Concession Stand c. Sand Box (Cranberry) d. Water Spray Area (Cranberry) e. ETC. 5. Weather a. Lightning in area i. Stay out of water ii. No dangling feet in water iii. Lifeguards will blow whistle and clear the pool iv. Important to be safe

Assessing Weather Conditions, Is it Safe to get in? 1. Weather conditions can make the water environment more dangerous. This is true at any body of water including the pool, pond, river, ocean, hot tub and even the bath tub/shower. a. Lightning Danger: Lightning is attracted to bodies of water, near water is very dangerous. Where is a safe place to go when near water in a lightning storm. 1. Leave water at first sound of thunder or sight of lightning. 2. Seek Shelter in Building or car away from water and metal. 3. Do not stand near trees, metal, or an open area. b. Lightning is dangerous as once it hits the ground it travels. Lightning moves through water easily because water conducts electricity. If lightning strikes a tree it will through the roots and then possibly you. travel c. Signs a storm is approaching. Always check weather forecast before swimming, and check with parents. 1. Dark clouds approaching. 2. Wind picks up. 3. Moisture in the air. 4. Sound of Thunder. d. When it is safe to go back to swimming. 1. Check with Parent, Lifeguard, Adult in charge 2. At minimum, 30 minutes after last thunder. Continued

2. Boating Safety. 1. Always wear a life jacket. 2. Never Boat Alone. 3. Have a Plan. Tell Parents when you are going, who is going with you, where you are going, and when you are coming home. 4. Know the water where you are going. Dams? Dangers? Depth. 5. Take a safe boating class available through the PA Boat Commission. 3. Ice Safety 1. Never walk on ice on a pond or lake

OPEN WATER SAFETY (Home and Away) 1. Safety Around Home: a. Anywhere there is water there is a risk of drowning. This includes bath tubs, buckets, small home "toy" baby pools, water containers, and any where there may be water. b. Never swim alone. Always have a buddy or more and parents should always give permission and know where you are at. Supervise. c. Neighbor's or Friend's Pool. 1. Never enter a pool that is not supervised. 2. If you are planning to swim at a friend's house, make sure your parents know, and that pool is supervised by an adult. 2. Safety In and Around Natural Bodies of Water. a. Natural Bodies of Water includes lakes, streams, ponds, rivers and oceans. These areas can be safe if a lifeguard is present and the area is open for swimming. b. Never dive into a body of water that you cannot see if there are hazards or dangers. c. Understanding the hazards and features associated with natural bodies of water is important even if swimming is not intended. 3. Rivers, Streams and Creeks. 1. Flood Waters: When flooding occurs, water has swift currents and carry debris and dangerous materials. 2. Flood waters usually contain contaminants such as sewage or other chemicals/liquids that are not typically in water. 3. Flood waters carry bacteria that could be harmful to your body. d. Swimming in open water is much different than swimming in a pool. a. Water flows downstream, it will have currents, differing depths, and obstacles. b. Currents are unpredictable and can be fast moving in parts and slow in others. Continued

c. What to do if caught in current. Swim along shoreline, yell for help, look for obstacles to grab a hold of, try to stay calm. Have your swimming partner get help. d. Foot Entrapments. The bottom surface of many rivers. lakes, ponds, etc. are covered with rocks and submerged objects which can easily trap your foot. e. Never dive into water. 4. Oceans. How many go on vacation to the ocean? a. Oceans are always a concern for swimming. Hazards include jellyfish, sharp objects, currents and tides, other marine life. b. Only swim on guarded beaches with parental supervision. c. Never swim near rocks, docks, boats, or structures. Never swim where you cannot be seen by others. help. d. What to do if caught in a current. Swim along shoreline, yell for help, look for obstacles to grab a hold of, try to stay calm. Have your swimming partner get

THE BASIC SWIMMING, EXPERIENCE A SWIMMING LESSON OVERVIEW/DEMONSTRATION NO SWIM * The American Red Cross Introductory Level 1 Swim Lesson -The American Red Cross.