Level I -- Introduction to Water Skills

There are no prerequisites for this level. The objectives of Level 1 are to learn basic personal water safety information and skills, to help participants feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely.

Skills assessment: enter water using ramp, steps or side; exit water using ladder, steps or side;  blow bubbles through mouth and nose; bobbing; open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects; front and back glides and recover to a vertical position; back float; roll from front to back and back to front; tread water using arms and hand action; alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front; alternating and simultaneous arms and leg actions on back; combined arm and leg actions on front and back; age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level II -- Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Participants entering this course must have a Level 1 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements of Level 1. The objective of Level 2 is to give participants success with fundamental skills.

Skills assessment: enter water by stepping or jumping from the side; exit water using ladder, steps or side; fully submerge and hold breath; bobbing; open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects; rotary breathing; front, jellyfish and tuck floats; back glide and recover to a vertical position; front glide and recover to a vertical position; roll from front to back and back to front; tread water using arm and leg action; change direction of travel while swimming on front and back; combined arm and leg actions on front and back; finning arm action; age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level III -- Stroke Development

Participants entering this course must have a Level 2 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements in Level 2. The objectives of Level 3 are to build on the skills in level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water

Skills assessment: enter water by jumping from the side, fully submerge then recover to the surface and return to the side; headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions; bobbing while moving towards safety; rotary breathing; back float; survival float; change from vertical to horizontal positions on front and back; tread water; flutter and dolphin kicks on front; scissors and breast-stroke kicks; front crawl and elementary backstroke; age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level IV -- Stroke Improvement

Participants entering this course must have a Level 3 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements in Level 3. The objective of Level 4 is to develop confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.

Skills assessment: headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions; swim under water; feet first surface dive; survival swimming; open turns on front and back; tread water using 2 different kicks, front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and butterfly; flutter and dolphin kicks on back; age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level V -- Stroke Refinement

Participants entering this course must have a Level 4 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the course requirements in Level 4. The objectives of Level 5 are to provide further coordination and refinement of strokes.

Skills assessment: shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke; tuck and pike surface dives; submerge completely; front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming; front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly; sculling; age-appropriate water safety topics.

Level VI -- Swimming and Skill Proficiency

Participants entering this course must have a Level 5 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the skills required to complete Level 5. The objectives of Level 6 are to refine strokes so swimmers swim them with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with "menu" options that focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses including the Water Safety Instructor course, or other aquatic activities such as competitive swimming or diving. Each option also includes applicable water safety topics. Options include: a) fitness swimmer, b) personal water safety, c) fundamentals of diving.