Learn-to-Swim

COURSE FACT SHEET

Course Purpose Prerequisites
Learn-to-Swim Level 1: ll Orient participants to the aquatic ll No skill prerequisites
Introduction to Water Skills environment and help them gain ll Participants usually start at
basic aquatic skills. about 6 years of age
ll Help participants begin to develop
positive attitudes and safe practices
around water
Learn-to-Swim Level 2: ll Build on the basic aquatic skills and ll Successful demonstration of
Fundamental Aquatic Skills water safety skills and concepts the Learn-to-Swim Level 1 exit
learned in Level 1 skills assessment
Learn-to-Swim Level 3: ll Build on the skills learned in Levels ll Successful demonstration of
Stroke Development 1 and 2 to help participants achieve the Learn-to-Swim Level 2 exit
basic water competency in a pool skills assessment
environment
Learn-to-Swim Level 4: ll Improve participants’ proficiency in ll Successful demonstration of
Stroke Improvement performing the swimming strokes the Learn-to-Swim Level 3 exit
that were introduced in Level 3 skills assessment
Learn-to-Swim Level 5: ll Help participants refine their ll Successful demonstration of
Stroke Refinement performance of all six swimming the Learn-to-Swim Level 4 exit
strokes (i.e., front crawl, back crawl, skills assessment
butterfly, breaststroke, elementary
backstroke and sidestroke)
Learn-to-Swim Level 6: ll Refine strokes so participants swim ll Successful demonstration of
Swimming and Skill Proficiency— them with greater efficiency and the Learn-to-Swim Level 5 exit
Personal Water Safety effectiveness over longer distances skills assessment
ll Teach participants how to prevent
aquatic emergencies in various
aquatic environments and to
introduce and practice self-rescue
techniques
Learn-to-Swim Level 6: ll Refine strokes so participants swim ll Successful demonstration of
Swimming and Skill them with greater efficiency and the Learn-to-Swim Level 5 exit
Proficiency—Fundamentals of effectiveness over longer distances skills assessment
Diving ll Teach participants fundamental
springboard diving skills
Learn-to-Swim Level 6: ll Refine strokes so participants swim ll Successful demonstration of
Swimming and Skill them with greater efficiency and the Learn-to-Swim Level 5 exit
Proficiency—Fitness Swimmer effectiveness over longer distances skills assessment

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 Learning Objectives
ll See Learn-to-Swim Skills Chart
Length
ll No minimum number of hours suggested
Instructor
ll Currently authorized Water Safety (r. 14) instructor
Course Completion Requirements
ll Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills
ll Successfully complete the level’s exit skills assessment (see Learn-to-Swim Skills Chart)
Course Completion Cards Issued and Validity Period
ll Learn-to-Swim—No validity period
Participant Materials
ll American Red Cross Swim app
ll Swim Lessons Achievement Booklet
ll Swimming and Water Safety (Level 6; recommended)
ll Swimming and Diving Skills DVD (Level 6; recommended)

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 ll Learn-to-Swim Level 1 skills may be performed with assistance.
ll If water depth is not at least 9 feet, instructors SHOULD NOT teach headfirst entries from poolside; if water
depth is not at least 11½ feet (or deeper if state or local regulations require), instructors SHOULD NOT
teach diving from a diving board.

SKILLS CHART
Learn-to-Swim Level 1: Introduction to Learn-to-Swim Level 2: Fundamental
Aquatic Skills Aquatic Skills
Water Adjustment, Entry and Exit
ll Enter water using ramp, steps or side ll Enter by stepping or jumping from the side into
ll Exit water using ladder, steps or side shoulder-deep water
ll Exit using ladder, steps or side from chest-deep water
Breath Control and Submerging
ll Blow bubbles, 3 seconds ll Fully submerge and hold breath, 10 seconds
ll Bobbing, 5 times ll Bobbing, 10 times
ll Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged ll Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged
objects in shallow water, 2 times objects in chest-deep water, 3 times
ll Rotary breathing, 5 times
Buoyancy
ll Front glide, 2 body lengths ll Front glide, 2 body lengths
ll Recover from a front glide to a vertical position ll Float in a face-down position, 10 seconds
ll Back glide, 2 body lengths cc Front float
cc Jellyfish float
ll Back float, 5 seconds
cc Tuck float
ll Recover from a back float or glide to
a vertical position ll Recover from a front float or glide to a vertical position
ll Back glide, 2 body lengths
ll Back float, 15 seconds
ll Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
Changing Direction and Position and Treading
ll Roll from front to back ll Roll from front to back
ll Roll from back to front ll Roll from back to front
ll Arm and hand treading actions, in chest-deep ll Change direction of travel while swimming on front
water or back
ll Tread water using arm and leg actions, 15 seconds
in shoulder-deep water
Swim on Front
All—2 body lengths ll Combined arm and leg actions on front, 5 body
ll Alternating leg action lengths
ll Simultaneous leg action

ll Alternating arm action

ll Simultaneous arm action

ll Combined arm and leg actions on front

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 Learn-to-Swim Level 1: Introduction to Learn-to-Swim Level 2: Fundamental
Aquatic Skills Aquatic Skills
Swim on Back
All—2 body lengths ll Finning arm action, 5 body lengths
ll Alternating leg action ll Combined arm and leg actions on back, 5 body
ll Simultaneous leg action lengths
ll Alternating arm action

ll Simultaneous arm action

ll Combined arm and leg actions on back

Water Safety
ll Staying safe around water ll Staying safe around water
ll Recognizing the lifeguards ll Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket—demonstrate
ll Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket—demonstrate ll Recognizing an emergency
ll Recognizing an emergency ll How to call for help—demonstrate
ll How to call for help—demonstrate ll Too Much Sun Is No Fun
ll Too Much Sun Is No Fun ll Look Before You Leap
ll Think So You Don’t Sink
ll Reach or Throw, Don’t Go
ll The danger of drains
Exit Skills Assessment
1. Enter independently, using either the ramp, steps or 1. Step from the side into chest-deep water, push off
side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 5 times, then safely the bottom, move into a treading or floating position
exit the water. (Participants can walk, move along the for at least 15 seconds, swim on front and/or back
gutter or “swim.”) for 5 body lengths, then exit the water.
2. Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a 2. Move into a back float for 15 seconds, roll to front,
back float for 5 seconds, then recover to a vertical then recover to a vertical position.
position. (This part of the assessment can be
performed with assistance.) 3. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg
actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back,
float for 15 seconds, roll to the front, then continue
swimming for at least 5 body lengths.

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 Learn-to-Swim Level 3: Stroke Learn-to-Swim Level 4: Stroke Learn-to-Swim Level 5: Stroke
Development Improvement Refinement
Water Entry and Exit
ll Enter water by jumping from ll Headfirst entry from the side in ll Shallow-angle dive from the
the side, fully submerge, then a compact position side
recover to the surface and ll Headfirst entry from the side ll Shallow-angle dive, glide 2 to
return to the side in a stride position 3 body lengths and begin any
ll Headfirst entry from the side in front stroke
a sitting and kneeling position
Breath Control and Submerging
ll Bobbing while moving toward ll Swim underwater, 3 to 5 body ll Tuck surface dive
safety, 15 times lengths, without hyperventilating ll Pike surface dive
ll Rotary breathing, 15 times ll Feetfirst surface dive
Buoyancy
ll Survival float, 30 seconds ll Survival swimming, 1 minute
ll Back float, 1 minute
Changing Direction and Position and Treading
ll Change from vertical to ll Front crawl open turn ll Front flip turn while swimming
horizontal position on front ll Back crawl open turn ll Backstroke flip turn while
ll Change from vertical to ll Tread water using 2 different swimming
horizontal position on back kicks (modified scissors, ll Tread water, 5 minutes
ll While in a vertical position, modified breaststroke or rotary), ll Tread water, using legs only,
rotate one full turn 2 minutes 2 minutes
ll Tread water, 1 minute
Swim on Front
ll Push off in a streamlined ll Front crawl, 25 yards ll Front crawl, 50 yards
position, then begin flutter ll Breaststroke, 15 yards ll Breaststroke, 25 yards
kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths ll Butterfly, 15 yards ll Butterfly, 25 yards
ll Push off in a streamlined
position, then begin dolphin
kicking
ll Front crawl, 15 yards
ll Breaststroke kick, 15 yards
Swim on Back
ll Elementary backstroke, ll Push off in a streamlined ll Elementary backstroke,
15 yards position and begin flutter 50 yards
kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths ll Back crawl, 25 yards
ll Push off in a streamlined ll Standard (back) scull,
position and begin dolphin 30 seconds
kicking, 3 to 5 body lengths
ll Elementary backstroke,
25 yards
ll Back crawl, 15 yards

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 Learn-to-Swim Level 3: Stroke Learn-to-Swim Level 4: Stroke Learn-to-Swim Level 5: Stroke
Development Improvement Refinement
Swim on Side
ll Scissors kick, 15 yards ll Sidestroke, 15 yards ll Sidestroke, 25 yards
Water Safety
ll Reach or Throw, Don’t Go— ll Reach or Throw, Don’t Go— ll How to call for help and the
demonstrate demonstrate importance of knowing first aid
ll Think Twice Before Going Near cc Reaching assist and CPR
Cold Water or Ice cc Throwing assist ll Recreational water illnesses
ll Look Before You Leap ll Recreational water illnesses ll Reach or Throw, Don’t Go—
ll Developing breath control safely ll Think So You Don’t Sink— demonstrate
ll Making good decisions— demonstrate ll Look Before You Leap—
choosing an exit point ll Look Before You Leap demonstrate
ll Think So You Don’t Sink
ll Think Twice Before Going Near
Cold Water or Ice
ll Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the
Guide
Exit Skills Assessment
1. Jump into deep water from the 1. Perform a feetfirst entry into 1. Perform a shallow-angle dive into
side, recover to the surface, deep water, swim front crawl for deep water at least 9 feet deep,
maintain position by treading or 25 yards, change direction and swim front crawl for 50 yards,
floating for 1 minute, rotate one position as necessary and swim then swim elementary backstroke
full turn, then turn as necessary elementary backstroke for for 50 yards using appropriate
to orient to the exit point, level 25 yards. and efficient turning styles
off, swim front crawl and/or throughout.
elementary backstroke for 25 2. Swim breaststroke for 15 yards,
yards, then exit the water. change direction and position as 2. Swim breaststroke for 25 yards,
necessary and swim back crawl change direction of travel as
2. Push off in a streamlined for 15 yards. necessary and then swim
position, then swim front crawl back crawl for 25 yards using
for 15 yards, change position 3. Submerge and swim a appropriate and efficient turning
and direction as necessary, swim distance of 3 to 5 body styles throughout.
elementary backstroke for lengths underwater without
15 yards, then exit the water. hyperventilating, return to the
surface, then exit the water.

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 Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill
Proficiency—Personal Water Proficiency—Fundamentals Proficiency—Fitness Swimmer
Safety of Diving
Swim on Front, Back and Side
ll Front crawl, 100 yards ll Front crawl, 100 yards ll Front crawl, 100 yards
ll Elementary backstroke, ll Elementary backstroke, ll Elementary backstroke,
100 yards 100 yards 100 yards
ll Back crawl, 50 yards ll Back crawl, 50 yards ll Back crawl, 50 yards
ll Breaststroke, 50 yards ll Breaststroke, 50 yards ll Breaststroke, 50 yards
ll Sidestroke, 50 yards ll Sidestroke, 50 yards ll Sidestroke, 50 yards
ll Butterfly, 50 yards ll Butterfly, 50 yards ll Butterfly, 50 yards
Turns
ll Front crawl open turn ll Front crawl open turn ll Front crawl open turn
ll Back crawl open turn ll Back crawl open turn ll Back crawl open turn
ll Front flip turn ll Front flip turn ll Front flip turn
ll Backstroke flip turn ll Backstroke flip turn ll Backstroke flip turn
ll Sidestroke open turn ll Sidestroke open turn ll Sidestroke open turn
ll Butterfly turn ll Butterfly turn ll Butterfly turn
ll Breaststroke turn ll Breaststroke turn ll Breaststroke turn
Specialty Knowledge and Skills
ll HELP position, 2 minutes ll Basic stretching exercises ll Surface dive and retrieve an
ll Huddle position, 2 minutes ll Body alignment and control object from the bottom
ll Feetfirst surface dive ll Surface dive and retrieve an ll Circle swimming
ll Tuck surface dive object from the bottom ll Using a pace clock
ll Pike surface dive ll Diving from poolside ll Swimming using equipment,
cc Kneeling position 25 yards
ll Back float, 5 minutes
cc Forward dive fall-in cc Pull buoys
ll Survival float, 5 minutes cc Standing dive cc Fins
ll Survival swimming, 10 minutes cc Paddles
ll Diving from the diving board
ll Tread water, using legs only, cc Kneeling position ll Describe how to set up an
2 minutes cc Forward dive fall-in exercise program
ll Surface dive and retrieve an cc Standing dive ll Demonstrate various training
object from the bottom techniques
ll Takeoff from the deck
cc One- and two-part takeoff ll Calculate target heart rate
ll Takeoff from poolside ll Demonstrate aquatic exercise
cc One-part takeoff

ll Takeoff from the Diving Board

cc One- and two-part takeoff

ll Forward jump, tuck position

cc Tuck position
cc With one-part takeoff
from poolside
cc With one- and two-part
takeoff from the diving
board

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 Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill Learn-to-Swim Level 6: Skill
Proficiency—Personal Water Proficiency—Fundamentals Proficiency—Fitness Swimmer
Safety of Diving
Specialty Knowledge and Skills
ll Forward dive, tuck position
cc With one-part takeoff
from poolside
cc With one- and two-part
takeoff from the diving
board
ll Forward jump, pike position
cc Pike position

cc With one- and two-part

takeoff from the diving
board
ll Forward dive, pike position
cc With one- and two-part
takeoff from the diving
board
Water Safety
ll Think So You Don’t Sink ll Look Before You Leap ll Look Before You Leap
ll Swim as a Pair Near a ll The danger of drains ll Know About Boating Before
Lifeguard’s Chair ll Know About Boating Before You Go Floating
ll Know About Boating Before You Go Floating ll Think So You Don’t Sink
You Go Floating ll Think So You Don’t Sink ll Swim as a Pair Near a
ll Look Before You Leap ll Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard’s Chair
ll The danger of drains Lifeguard’s Chair ll The danger of drains
ll The dangers of hyperventilation ll The dangers of hyperventilation ll The dangers of hyperventilation
and extended breath-holding and extended breath-holding and extended breath-holding
Exit Skills Assessment
1. Swim 500 yards continuously 1. Swim 500 yards continuously 1. Swim 500 yards continuously
using any 3 strokes, swimming at using any 3 strokes, swimming using any 3 strokes, swimming at
least 50 yards of each stroke. at least 50 yards of each stroke. least 50 yards of each stroke.
2. Jump into deep water, perform 2. Perform a two-part takeoff with 2. Perform the Cooper 12-minute
a survival float for 5 minutes, roll a feetfirst entry from a 1-meter swim test and compare results
onto back and perform a back diving board. with the pre-assessment results.
float for 5 minutes.
3. Perform a two-part takeoff with
3. Perform a feetfirst surface dive, a headfirst entry from a 1-meter
retrieve an object from the diving board.
bottom of the pool at a depth of
7 to 10 feet, return to surface
and return to starting point.

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