Lesson 2 - Treading Water & Signals
Life-Saving Skills
•Year 9
•Water Safety
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How can developing water survival skills and rescue awareness help save lives in emergency situations?
Learning Objectives
- Improve treading water duration to 1 minute while maintaining calm breathing
- Master arm signalling techniques while treading water to attract attention
- Develop accurate throwing skills with buoyant aids for rescue scenarios
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate sustained treading water for their target duration
- Students will signal effectively for help while maintaining water position
- Students will throw buoyant aids accurately to designated targets at 5m distance
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure clear sight lines for supervision and emergency access
Alternative: Deep end of school pool or local facility
Students wear over swimming costumes to simulate clothing restriction
Alternative: Light cotton shirts or swimming t-shirts
Store safely on pool deck, easily accessible for throwing practice
Alternative: Rescue rings, foam noodles, kickboards, empty plastic bottles
Waterproof or protected from splash, visible to students
Alternative: Phone timers, pool clock, digital watches
Positioned at 5m intervals for throwing accuracy practice
Alternative: Floating targets, pool noodles, weighted markers
For emergency stops and activity timing
Alternative: Electronic signals, voice commands
Key Vocabulary
A floating device that can be thrown to help someone in water difficulty
A person who is in difficulty or danger in the water
Using clear movements or sounds to attract attention and communicate distress
Throwing a buoyant aid accurately to reach someone in water difficulty
The length of time an activity can be sustained
Quick, appropriate actions taken when someone is in danger
Efficient treading water technique using alternating circular leg movements
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic swimming strokes and floating techniques
- Introduction to treading water from Lesson 1
- Understanding of water safety principles
- Basic confidence in deep water
Current Skills
- Extended treading water with clothing restrictions
- Emergency signalling while maintaining water position
- Accurate throwing techniques for rescue equipment
- Understanding rescue scenarios and appropriate responses
Next Steps
- Advanced rescue techniques and victim approaches
- Surface diving and underwater rescue skills
- Team rescue coordination and communication
- First aid skills for water-related emergencies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emergency water survival skills require calm, efficient movements and energy conservation
- Effective signalling techniques use high, wide arm movements that are clearly visible from distance
- Accurate rescue throwing focuses on technique and placement rather than power or distance
- Treading water endurance improves through relaxation and efficient leg cycling movements
- Emergency response follows 'throw don't go' principle - only trained rescuers enter water
- Clothing in water increases difficulty and energy requirements for all swimming movements
- Regular practice of survival skills builds confidence and competence for real emergencies
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Bigger arm movements are better for treading water. Correction: Small, efficient movements conserve energy and last longer
- Misconception: Throwing as hard as possible gets better distance. Correction: Accurate technique with appropriate force is more effective for rescue
- Misconception: Any strong swimmer can attempt water rescues. Correction: Only trained lifeguards should enter water - throw aids instead
- Misconception: Signalling should be continuous when in distress. Correction: Intermittent signalling conserves energy while maintaining visibility
- Misconception: Clothing always makes swimming impossible. Correction: Proper technique can overcome clothing drag, though it increases difficulty
- Misconception: Panic helps in emergency situations. Correction: Calm, controlled responses are most effective for survival and rescue
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with clear breaks, immediate feedback and encouragement, movement variety within water activities, clear visual boundaries in pool area
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns initially, additional practice time for coordination, larger target areas for throwing, step-by-step technique breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routine establishment, visual activity schedule, designated quiet area near pool, predictable activity transitions, sensory considerations for water temperature
visual impairment
- Clear verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, tactile guidance for throwing technique, bright coloured buoyant aids, verbal timing cues instead of visual signals
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations with clear sightlines, written instruction cards, hand signal communication system, vibrating timer devices for duration practice
physical disability
- Modified treading water positions if needed, alternative signalling methods, adapted throwing distances, assistive devices for water entry/exit
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring time durations, calculating throwing distances, recording and analysing improvement data, statistics of water safety incidents
Science
Forces and motion in water, buoyancy principles, human body systems during exercise, physics of throwing projectiles
Geography
Water safety in different environments, coastal and inland water hazards, environmental factors affecting water safety
PSHE
Emergency response procedures, helping others in crisis, personal safety awareness, responsibility for community safety
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position where you can see all students in water, near emergency equipment, with clear voice projection across pool area
Observation Focus
Monitor treading water technique for efficiency and fatigue signs, watch for panic indicators, assess signalling clarity, check throwing safety
Intervention Points
Step in immediately if student shows distress, intervene for technique correction before fatigue sets in, stop activity if safety compromised
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate all techniques from pool deck or water as appropriate, exaggerate movements for visibility, use positive examples from students, show both correct and incorrect techniques for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Relax your shoulders, small leg movements'
- •'Breathe steadily, stay calm'
- •'High arm signals, make them see you'
- •'Aim for accuracy, not power'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Swimming pool with minimum 1.5m deep section, clear emergency access routes
Surface Check
Pool water quality tested, appropriate temperature, non-slip pool surrounds clear
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All buoyant aids checked for damage and secure attachments
- •T-shirts appropriate weight when wet, no loose parts
- •Throwing equipment stored safely away from pool edge when not in use
- •Emergency equipment including reaching poles and rescue tubes accessible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Drowning during treading water practice
- •Fatigue leading to water difficulty
- •Injury from thrown buoyant aids
- •Panic during clothed swimming activities
- •Collision between students during activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Constant qualified supervision with rescue capability
- •Progressive skill building with appropriate rest periods
- •Clear throwing zones with safety protocols
- •Buddy system for support and monitoring
- •Emergency action plan clearly established and communicated
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of all students
- •Additional qualified supervisor recommended for large groups
- •Emergency rescue equipment immediately accessible
- •Clear communication system for stopping activities instantly
Emergency Procedures
Immediate water rescue capability, clear evacuation procedures, first aid qualified staff present, emergency contact numbers available