Lifesaving Skills and Water Rescue Competency
•Year 9
•Water Safety
•Multiple assessment stations set up around pool perimeter with clear rotation pathways
Alternative: Deep water training area with variable depth zones
Positioned on poolside with hygiene wipes for cleaning between uses
Alternative: CPR training torsos with compression feedback
One complete set at each assessment station for scenario work
Alternative: Throw ropes, rescue tubes, flotation aids, reaching poles
Distributed with pencils, stored in waterproof pouches
Alternative: Laminated waterproof assessment cards
One per assessment station for CPR timing and sequence duration
Alternative: Pool pace clock, digital interval timers
Positioned at entry/exit points and around CPR practice areas
Alternative: Non-slip poolside matting
Safely positioned to create realistic but controlled emergency scenarios
Alternative: Weighted objects to simulate submerged casualty, floating debris for obstacles
A safe water entry technique where legs are spread wide to prevent submerging, maintaining visual contact with casualty
Technique for diving down to retrieve a submerged casualty by pushing body weight downward
Technique for moving a casualty through water while keeping their airway clear and maintaining control
CPR rhythm of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, repeating continuously
The decision-making process for determining which casualty to assist first in multi-person emergencies
The systematic evaluation of the emergency situation before entering the water
The final stage of rescue where casualty is placed in recovery position and monitored until help arrives
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Timing calculations for CPR ratios (30:2), measurement of compression depth (5-6cm), distance estimation for tow selection (8m scenarios), rate calculation for compressions (100-120 per minute), percentage understanding for assessment scoring
Cardiovascular system response to exercise during warm-up and cool-down, respiratory system function and oxygen circulation during CPR, forces and buoyancy principles in water rescue, human biology of drowning and hypoxia
Community responsibility for water safety knowledge, understanding of emergency services roles, rights and responsibilities around public swimming facilities, water safety advocacy and education
Environmental hazards in different water settings (pool, beach, river), spatial awareness for rescue approach angles, mapping rescue pathways and decision-making processes, understanding of water-based locations and associated risks
Responsibility and duty of care in emergency situations, leadership development in team scenarios, resilience when learning challenging skills under pressure, managing emotions in high-stakes assessment, empathy for casualties in distress
Station yourself with visual access to all four assessment stations, prioritise observation of deep water and high-risk activities (water entries, submerged casualty recovery). Rotate attention systematically ensuring no station goes unobserved for more than 60 seconds. Position near deep end during water-based stations, near CPR area during poolside assessment.
Primary focus: safety and technique quality over speed. Watch for: safe water entries maintaining casualty observation, controlled approaches avoiding collision, gentle casualty handling protecting neck, accurate CPR hand position and depth, effective team communication in scenarios. Secondary focus: confidence levels, decision-making quality, peer support behaviours.
Intervene immediately if: unsafe entry method chosen (dive into shallow), rough casualty handling risking injury, CPR technique could cause harm (incorrect hand position), student shows significant distress or exhaustion, equipment used incorrectly creating danger. Intervene supportively if: student freezes unable to proceed, technique significantly off-criteria, peer feedback becoming negative or unconstructive.
During briefing: demonstrate each station's key skill slowly and clearly, exaggerate important safety points (head support, hand position), verbalize thinking process to model decision-making. During assessment: avoid repeated demonstration which may undermine student independence, use demonstration only when widespread misunderstanding evident. Use competent students to demonstrate excellence with their permission, highlighting specific technical points that made it successful.
Swimming pool facility minimum 15m length, adequate depth zones for rescue practice (shallow, medium, deep), clear poolside space for CPR practice minimum 20m², designated rotation pathways 2m wide
Pool water quality tested and within safe parameters (pH, chlorine, clarity), poolside surfaces clean and slip-resistant, no standing water creating trip hazards, CPR practice area dry and clean
Emergency stop signal (three whistles) halts all activity immediately. All students move to pool edge and exit water. Teacher/lifeguard assesses situation and provides appropriate first aid or emergency response. Emergency services contacted if required (999). Incident recorded following school protocols. Parents/guardians informed of any injuries or concerns.
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