Lesson 4 - Straddle Entry and Clothed Swimming
Life-Saving Skills
•Year 9
•Water Safety
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How can mastering safe water entry and clothed swimming techniques save lives in emergency situations?
Learning Objectives
- Learn and demonstrate safe straddle entry technique for deep water access
- Develop continuous swimming ability while wearing clothing to understand real-world challenges
- Build extended treading water skills up to 2 minutes with emergency signalling
Key Outcomes
- Students will perform a controlled straddle entry maintaining body position and safety
- Students will swim continuously for extended distances while wearing clothing
- Students will demonstrate 2-minute treading water with clear emergency signals
- Students will understand the physical challenges of swimming in emergency clothing situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure lifeguard present, clear deep water boundaries marked
Alternative: Open water supervised area
Pre-distributed, students change into before water entry
Alternative: Lightweight cotton clothing, old sports kit
Waterproof or poolside positioned for visibility
Alternative: Pool clock, mobile phone timer
Positioned around pool edge, easily accessible
Alternative: Reach poles, flotation devices, first aid kit
Non-slip surface, adequate depth for safe entry
Alternative: Shallow end for initial practice
Key Vocabulary
A safe method of entering deep water by stepping off the edge with legs apart, maintaining vertical position
Swimming without stopping for extended distances, maintaining rhythm and breathing pattern
The additional drag and weight created by clothing when swimming, affecting speed and technique
Using voice and arm movements to attract attention when in distress in water
Maintaining position in water using leg and arm movements for longer periods (1-2+ minutes)
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Confident swimming in normal swimwear over 100m
- Basic treading water skills for 30-60 seconds
- Understanding of pool safety rules and deep water awareness
- Experience with different swimming strokes and breathing techniques
Current Skills
- Safe straddle entry technique for emergency situations
- Swimming performance adaptation when wearing clothing
- Extended treading water with emergency signalling
- Understanding clothing resistance and its impact on swimming
Next Steps
- Advanced water entry techniques from height
- Swimming in heavier clothing or with objects
- Extended survival swimming techniques
- Rescue swimming and helping others in distress
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safety must always be the absolute priority in all water activities
- Straddle entry requires wide leg position maintained throughout descent for stability
- Clothing significantly increases swimming effort - pace must be adjusted accordingly
- Energy conservation during treading water extends endurance and maintains safety
- Emergency signalling must be clear, loud, and visible from distance
- Progressive skill building prevents overwhelm and maintains confidence
- Continuous monitoring for fatigue and stress essential for safety
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: 'Swimming in clothes is just slightly harder' - Reality: Clothing dramatically increases resistance and effort required
- Misconception: 'Straddle entry is just stepping off the edge' - Reality: Requires specific body position and control for safety
- Misconception: 'Treading water is about working hard' - Reality: Efficiency and energy conservation are key to endurance
- Misconception: 'Emergency signalling just needs to be visible' - Reality: Must be loud, clear, and repeated regularly
- Misconception: 'Water safety skills aren't needed for confident swimmers' - Reality: Emergency situations change everything, clothing and panic dramatically affect ability
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Clear activity boundaries, regular positive feedback, break activities into shorter segments, physical movement opportunities between skills
dyspraxia
- Extended practice time for skill development, simplified instruction sequences, additional demonstration and guidance, celebration of effort over perfection
autism spectrum
- Clear predictable routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available for breaks, advance warning of activity changes
visual impairment
- Enhanced verbal descriptions of water entry technique, tactile guidance for body positioning, buddy system for poolside navigation, clear audible signals for timing
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations repeated multiple times, clear hand signals for instructions, written technique reminders available, visual timing cues
physical disability
- Modified entry techniques from pool steps or ramp access, flotation aids if appropriate, adapted treading water positions, personalised safety plans
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Timing and measurement of swimming distances, calculating pace and endurance improvements, statistical analysis of performance data
Science
Forces and resistance in water, effects of clothing on buoyancy and drag, human body response to exercise and cold water exposure
Geography
Understanding water environments, coastal and inland water safety awareness, environmental factors affecting water conditions
PSHE
Personal safety awareness, risk assessment skills, resilience and perseverance during challenges, supporting others in difficulty
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move continuously around pool perimeter for maximum visibility, position at pool corner during demonstrations for all-student sight lines
Observation Focus
Watch for fatigue signs, monitor technique adaptation to clothing, assess confidence levels during deep water activities
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for any safety concerns, provide encouragement during challenging activities, offer technique modifications for struggling students
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, slow movements for straddle entry demo, exaggerate key body positions for visibility, repeat demonstrations as needed for understanding
Verbal Cues
- •'Wide legs for stability!'
- •'Gentle movements conserve energy!'
- •'Breathe normally and stay calm!'
- •'Safety first, technique second!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Pool facility with deep water access minimum 2m depth, clear entry points, emergency exits accessible
Surface Check
Pool water quality checked, no debris, appropriate temperature for extended activity in clothing
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All clothing appropriate for water use - no heavy materials or restrictive items
- •Safety equipment positioned around pool perimeter
- •Timing devices waterproof or safely positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Drowning risk increased with clothing resistance
- •Hypothermia from extended water exposure in clothing
- •Exhaustion from increased effort requirements
- •Panic reactions to clothing effects on swimming
Risk Mitigation
- •Qualified lifeguard present throughout lesson
- •Progressive skill development from shallow to deep water
- •Continuous monitoring of student fatigue and stress levels
- •Clear exit procedures and rest opportunities
- •Emergency equipment immediately accessible
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Enhanced supervision during deep water activities
- •Individual monitoring during straddle entry attempts
- •Constant observation during extended treading water
- •Quick response capability for any distress signs
Emergency Procedures
Immediate water exit for any distress, emergency flotation available, first aid qualified staff present, clear emergency contact procedures