Lesson 1 - Water Survival & Entry
Life-Saving Skills
•Year 9
•Water Safety
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How can developing water survival skills potentially save your life in emergency situations?
Learning Objectives
- Develop essential water survival skills while wearing clothing in water
- Master safe water entry techniques to prevent injury
- Demonstrate the ability to swim 20m to retrieve a floating object and return safely
Key Outcomes
- Students will confidently enter water using safe techniques
- Students will demonstrate basic treading water skills for at least 30 seconds
- Students will successfully swim to and retrieve a floating object from 20m distance
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure pool depth suitable for treading water practice (minimum 1.5m deep area)
Alternative: Large swimming pool or controlled water environment
Place at various distances from pool edge, some at 20m marker
Alternative: Pool noodles, kickboards, inflatable objects, rescue tubes
Must be clean and appropriate size - students wear over swimwear
Alternative: Old polo shirts, lightweight clothing
One end secured to pool edge for reaching practice
Alternative: Pool lane ropes, rescue ropes, floating rope
Mark 10m and 20m distances clearly
Alternative: Floating markers, lane ropes
Key Vocabulary
Maintaining an upright position in water by moving arms and legs to stay afloat
Methods of entering water that minimise risk of injury, especially in unknown depths
The upward force that keeps objects floating in water
Skills and techniques needed to stay safe and alive in water emergency situations
Figure-8 arm movements used to maintain position while treading water
Any buoyant item that can provide support or assistance in water
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic swimming strokes (front crawl, backstroke)
- Water confidence and basic floating
- Understanding of pool safety rules
- Experience with different swimming speeds and distances
Current Skills
- Safe water entry techniques in emergency situations
- Treading water as a survival skill
- Swimming with additional resistance (clothing)
- Object retrieval and rescue awareness
Next Steps
- Extended distance swimming in clothing
- Advanced treading water with arm movements
- Basic rescue techniques and reaching assists
- Cold water survival techniques
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Water survival skills could save your life - take every technique seriously and practice with focus
- Energy conservation is crucial in water emergencies - efficient technique matters more than strength or speed
- Safe water entry prevents serious injury - never dive into unknown water regardless of emergency pressure
- Treading water technique: small movements, regular breathing, vertical position, and stay calm under pressure
- Clothing creates significant additional challenge - adjust expectations and technique when swimming clothed
- Teamwork and communication are essential in water safety - support others and ask for help when needed
- Know your limits and use safety equipment - pool edge and buoyant aids are there for your safety
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: 'Bigger movements are better for treading water' - Correction: Small, efficient movements conserve energy and are more sustainable
- Misconception: 'Diving is fastest way to enter water in emergency' - Correction: Safe entry methods prevent serious injury in unknown depths
- Misconception: 'Strong swimmers don't need to practice survival skills' - Correction: Swimming ability differs greatly from survival skills in clothing
- Misconception: 'You should remove clothing immediately in water' - Correction: Clothing can provide buoyancy and protection, removal requires energy
- Misconception: 'Hold your breath while treading water to stay up' - Correction: Regular breathing helps maintain buoyancy and prevents panic
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive feedback, use clear boundaries and expectations for pool behaviour
dyspraxia
- Allow extra practice time for skill coordination, provide step-by-step technique breakdowns, use larger floating objects for easier handling
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, allow extra time for transitions, create quiet areas at pool edge for breaks if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured floating objects, provide detailed verbal descriptions of techniques, assign sighted buddy for guidance and safety
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations with clear hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure eye contact before giving instructions
physical disability
- Adapt entry methods for wheelchair users, provide additional buoyant support, modify treading water techniques for different mobility levels
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances and times for swimming activities; calculating energy expenditure and heart rate during exercise
Science
Understanding buoyancy, density, and forces in water; study of human respiratory and circulatory systems during exercise
Geography
Water safety awareness for different environments (rivers, seas, lakes); global water safety statistics and climate effects
History
Development of life-saving techniques and maritime safety; famous water rescue stories and their impact on safety practices
PSHE
Personal safety awareness and risk assessment skills; building resilience and confidence in challenging situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around pool perimeter maintaining visual contact with all students, especially during treading water and distance swimming
Observation Focus
Monitor breathing patterns, signs of fatigue, technique quality, and safety awareness throughout activities
Intervention Points
Step in immediately if student shows distress, breathing difficulty, or unsafe behaviour around water
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate all techniques from pool edge or in water as appropriate, ensuring visibility for all students and emphasising safety aspects
Verbal Cues
- •'Small movements, save your energy!'
- •'Breathe normally, stay relaxed!'
- •'Safety first, technique second!'
- •'Use the pool edge when you need to rest!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Swimming pool minimum 20m length with deep end for treading water practice (1.5m+ depth)
Surface Check
Pool water clear and chemically balanced, pool deck dry and non-slip around edges
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All floating objects checked for damage and secure attachment points
- •T-shirts inspected for appropriate fit and no loose elements
- •Buoyant aids tested for inflation and structural integrity
- •Rope equipment checked for strength and secure anchorage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Drowning during treading water or distance swimming
- •Exhaustion from swimming in clothing
- •Injury from unsafe water entry practice
- •Panic response to survival skill challenges
- •Cold exposure from extended water activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Qualified lifeguard present throughout lesson with rescue equipment ready
- •Progressive skill building from shallow to deep water
- •Buoyant aids immediately accessible at pool edge
- •Continuous teacher supervision with maximum 15 students per instructor
- •Clear emergency procedures established and practiced
- •Water temperature checked and appropriate for extended activity
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of all students during treading water
- •Lifeguard stationed at deep end during survival skills practice
- •Assistant teacher if available positioned at shallow end
- •Emergency communication system tested before lesson starts
Emergency Procedures
Immediate water rescue protocols, access to first aid equipment, emergency contact procedures, and incident reporting systems