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Lesson 6 - Safety Skills Assessment

Life-Saving Skills

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Year 9

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Water Safety

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58 min

Big Question

How can mastering advanced water safety skills save lives in emergency situations?

Learning Objectives

Perfect treading water for 2 minutes with regular signalling every 30 seconds
Complete surface dive and recovery challenge in deep water
Master deep water climbing out techniques without assistance
Demonstrate comprehensive water safety knowledge through assessment

Key Outcomes

Students will sustain treading water for 2 minutes while signalling for help
Students will successfully retrieve objects from pool floor using surface diving
Students will exit deep water safely without steps or ladder assistance
Students will achieve 80%+ on water safety knowledge assessment

Equipment & Resources Required

Swimming Pool

1 (minimum 25m length)

Ensure deep end is at least 1.8m depth for safe surface diving

Alternative: Access to leisure centre pool with deep water area

T-shirts

1 set per student

Students wear over swimwear to simulate clothed water entry scenarios

Alternative: Old school PE kit or spare clothes

Diving Objects

15-20 (rubber bricks, diving rings)

Distributed across pool floor in deep end for recovery practice

Alternative: Weighted beanbags, diving sticks

Stopwatch

2-3 units

Waterproof timers positioned for visibility during treading water assessment

Alternative: Pool pace clock, smartphone timer apps

Score Sheets

1 per student (laminated)

Questions covering CPR, rescue techniques, and emergency procedures

Alternative: Waterproof clipboards with questions

Ropes

2-3 lengths (8-10m each)

Coiled and ready for rescue technique demonstrations

Alternative: Pool noodles tied together, throwing aids

Key Vocabulary

Treading water

Maintaining position in water without touching the bottom using leg and arm movements

Surface diving

Diving down from the water surface to retrieve objects or explore underwater

Signalling

Using voice and visual signals to attract attention during water emergencies

Deep water exit

Getting out of water where you cannot touch the bottom without using steps or ladders

Water safety knowledge

Understanding of risks, prevention strategies, and emergency responses around water

Skill sequence

Combination of multiple water safety skills performed consecutively

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic swimming strokes and water confidence
Introduction to treading water techniques
Basic safety awareness around water
Understanding of pool rules and emergency procedures

Current Skills

Advanced treading water with signalling under pressure
Surface diving technique and object recovery
Independent deep water exit skills
Comprehensive water safety knowledge application

Next Steps

Open water safety awareness and skills
Advanced rescue techniques and first aid
Leadership roles in water safety education
Preparation for lifeguard or swimming instructor qualifications

Milestone Indicators

Maintains calm composure during extended treading water

Demonstrates efficient diving technique with minimal splash

Shows confident body positioning during deep water exit

Applies safety knowledge to real-world scenarios

Key Teaching Points

Water safety skills are life-saving abilities that require serious practice and respect
Technique quality is always more important than speed or duration
Staying calm in water emergencies is crucial for survival and rescue
Progressive skill building prevents overwhelm and builds confidence
Assessment is about demonstrating competence, not competing with others
These skills transfer to real-world situations and could save lives
Personal improvement and effort are valued over natural ability

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'I need to swim fast to be good at water safety' - Correction: Endurance and technique matter more than speed
Misconception: 'If I can swim well, I don't need to practice treading water' - Correction: Treading water uses different muscle groups and energy systems
Misconception: 'Surface diving is easy because I can hold my breath' - Correction: Technique and pressure management are essential for safety
Misconception: 'Clothes don't make much difference when swimming' - Correction: Clothing significantly affects buoyancy and mobility
Misconception: 'I only need these skills if I plan to swim in the sea' - Correction: Water emergencies can happen anywhere, including pools

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Clear, short instructions, frequent positive feedback, alternative fidget activities during waiting times

dyspraxia

Extra practice time, simplified skill breakdowns, visual cues for technique improvement

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, quiet areas available, advance warning of assessment activities

visual impairment

Clear verbal descriptions of all activities, buddy system for navigation, bright coloured objects for diving

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all skills, written instruction sheets, hand signal communication system

physical disability

Modified assessment criteria based on individual abilities, use of flotation aids where appropriate, alternative skill demonstrations

Cross-Curricular Links

Science

Understanding of buoyancy, pressure changes with depth, human respiratory system under stress

Geography

Understanding of water environments, coastal safety, environmental awareness

Mathematics

Timing calculations, measurement of distances, statistical analysis of performance improvement

PSHE

Risk assessment skills, emergency response procedures, building resilience and confidence

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Maintain clear sight lines of all students, position near deep end during assessments

Observation Focus

Monitor fatigue levels closely, watch for technique breakdown, assess safety awareness

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if student shows distress, technique becomes unsafe, or assessment limits exceeded

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate all skills in clear view of students, emphasise safety aspects, show progressive skill building

Verbal Cues

•'Remember to breathe regularly - don't hold your breath'
•'Signal clearly - make sure I can see you'
•'Quality technique is more important than duration'
•'Rest when you need to - safety first always'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Swimming pool with deep end minimum 1.8m depth, clear sight lines for supervision

Surface Check

Pool water quality tested and approved, no slippery surfaces around pool edge

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•All diving objects weighted appropriately and safe for retrieval
•Clothing worn over swimwear to prevent entanglement
•Emergency equipment (pole, rope, first aid) immediately accessible

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Drowning due to fatigue during extended treading water
•Injury from surface diving in inadequate depth
•Exhaustion from combination of skills in clothed conditions
•Panic response when unable to complete assessment skills

Risk Mitigation

•Qualified swimming instructor present at all times
•Maximum 2-minute treading water assessment with immediate rest
•Depth testing before all surface diving activities
•Progressive skill building with adequate rest periods
•Individual ability assessment before attempting advanced skills

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Teacher positioned for clear sight of all students during water activities
•Assistant supervisor focused on deep water area during assessments
•Emergency procedures clearly established and communicated

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate assistance, emergency services contact if required