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Lesson 1 - Water Survival & Entry

Life-Saving Skills

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Year 9

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Water Safety

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1h 10min

Big Question

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

Pool Access

1 (minimum 20m length)

Ensure pool depth suitable for treading water practice (minimum 1.5m deep area)

Alternative: Large swimming pool or controlled water environment

Visual Aids

15-20 items

Place at various distances from pool edge, some at 20m marker

Alternative: Pool noodles, kickboards, inflatable objects, rescue tubes

T-shirts

1 per student (30)

Must be clean and appropriate size - students wear over swimwear

Alternative: Old polo shirts, lightweight clothing

Rope

2-3 ropes

One end secured to pool edge for reaching practice

Alternative: Pool lane ropes, rescue ropes, floating rope

Markers Cones

8-10 waterproof markers

Mark 10m and 20m distances clearly

Alternative: Floating markers, lane ropes

Key Vocabulary

Treading water

Maintaining an upright position in water by moving arms and legs to stay afloat

Safe entry

Methods of entering water that minimise risk of injury, especially in unknown depths

Buoyancy

The upward force that keeps objects floating in water

Water survival

Skills and techniques needed to stay safe and alive in water emergency situations

Sculling

Figure-8 arm movements used to maintain position while treading water

Floating object

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

Confident water entry without hesitation

Maintains vertical position while treading water

Demonstrates controlled breathing during survival skills

Shows awareness of personal limitations in water

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