Before beginning their water survival training program, team leaders should become thoroughly familiar with the information in this page. This information will help ensure the safety of students during training. It will also provide guidelines for choosing instructors and identifying individual and safety equipment needed during training.

SAFE Principle

To counter the tendency to panic when unexpectedly entering water, all students should know the SAFE principle. SAFE is a quick and easy reminder of the fundamentals of survival swimming. The acronym is described as follows:

Slow, easy movements. This is critical for energy conservation.
Apply natural buoyancy. Let the water support your body.
Full lung inflation. This helps maintain buoyancy.
Extreme relaxation. This ensures more control and composure.

Safety Factors

Safety is the first concern when training students in and around water. The following factors are important:
1. Know the water survival ability level of each student.
2. Have safety and emergency action plans.
3. Have instructors wear bright uniforms to be recognised by the other pool users.
4. Conduct all initial water survival training in a pool, with lifeguards and appropriate safety equipment present.
5. Ensure the water is at least three meters deep at the deep end of the pool.
6. Use the buddy system. (Pair a strong swimmer with a weaker one.)
7. Ensure students understand the SAFE principle.
8. Ensure all water entries during training are done feet-first.
9. Ensure students use the water entry techniques described below.

Water Entries

Training exercise requirements call for students to enter the water off the pool deck as well as from a height of 3 meters.

Step-off entry. For shallow-water entry off the deck, step off the edge into the water with the knees flexed; be prepared to absorb the impact when hitting the bottom of the pool.

Stride entry. For deep-water entry off the deck, leap off the edge into the water with the trunk leaning forward, the head up, the legs spread in a stride position (one forward, the other back), and the arms extended out to slap the water. This jump position keeps the head above water and allows the student to maintain visibility. The water should be at least 1.5 meters deep.

High-level entry. Entry into water from a height of ten feet. Jump in feet first.

Instructors

Your team should have instructors for water survival training. They can explain, demonstrate in the water, and evaluate all skills. The ideal instructor-to-student ratio during training and testing is one to six.

Instructors must be strong swimmers who are competent in all the water survival skills shown in this publication. Although it is not required, instructors should hold either the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certificate or and international equivalent.