C and Brion took their Lifesaving Course Stage 1 just before the start of the school holidays.

Lifesaving 1

• Build up your water confidence.
• Basic water skills like floating, submerging, breathing techniques, Reaching Rescue, Buoyant Aid Rescue, and Wade Rescue.
• Swim a basic stroke, eg. Freestyle or Breaststroke. You’ll be able to comfortably swim 100 meters to pass the exam.

They were able to execute the skills needed with much confidence. Initially we thought that the tasks they had to perform were very much similar to the Water Safe Bronze and Silver awards but upon further inspection, we realised that the emphasis here was definitely more on being able to perform life saving skills.

They easily cleared the Stage. :) Well, we will be looking forward to them clearing Stage 2 soon. 

After 3 sessions of practice, Cheryl and Brion took their SwimSafer Gold Award test today.

There were many people at the pool: parents of children who were taking their test and of course, the participants themselves.

C did a total of 16 laps of 4 different strokes.

The children had to stay afloat for 1 minute.

Retrieving stuff from under the water.

Swimming with clothes and socks on. The coach specifically instructed us not to wear pyjamas as the material was too light. He said that it was unlikely that we would be wearing pyjamas out or falling into the waters.

Brion, putting on the life jacket before swimming 100m in it.

Cheryl's turn now.

Off she went with her 100m swim.

The children had to perform a life saver exercise. Brion and Cheryl paired up for this exercise to be the victim and the rescurer.

The children finished their test and were pleased with their efforts.

Both of them were so happy to receive their certificates. :)

All the participants: they were so pleased. I thought it was a brilliant idea that the School had their certificates ready and gave them out to the children like it was a mini awards ceremony. The coaches and institution made a "big deal" of it to show the children of their achievement. Daddy said that unless the children refused to swim or didn't turn up for the test, otherwise, it was unlikely any of them would fail as the participants were all swimmers.

My initial plans was for C to stop her swimming lessons after she cleared her Gold but I learned that she would be get her lifesaver awards if she continued. So I guess, the best thing is to have a chat with C to find out if she is keen to continue.

We brought out kiddos out for a celebratory dinner after that.

:) Yummilicious food!

We rounded up the evening with a baking session at Aunt Ven's place.

Thank you!! :)

We signed up for the Swimsafer Gold Award and the examination date is this Saturday. Usually 3 days before the test date, the institution and coach will have 3 sessions of an hour each with the participants.
In these 3 sessions, the coach will go through with the children the test criteria and let them practise each criteria.

I googled and for those of you who are keen to sign up as well, the details are as follow:

Advanced Personal Water Survival and Swimming Skills Proficiency

Your child will be required to perform strokes with greater ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over 400 metres. Rescue skills and water safety knowledge will focus on lifesaving readiness. Standing dive and advanced personal water survival skills will continue to be taught.

Entries & Exits

• Demonstrate a standing dive

Sculling & Body Orientation

• Keep face above the water surface for 60 seconds using legs only

Underwater skills

• Search for and recover an object in 1.8m of water depth.
• Demonstrate equalizing of ear/nose

Movement/Swimming/Strokes

Swim 400m continuously

• 100m Breaststroke
• 100m Front crawl
• 100m Backstroke
• 100 Survival backstroke or Sidestroke
• Efficient stroke techniques must be used

Survival & Activity skills

Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, perform the following sequence:

• Enter deep water using an appropriate entry method swim 5 meters underwater to simulate an escape from a sinking boat surrounded by oil.
• Swim a further 45 meters as if escaping from a dangerous situation.
• Remove shoes and swim slowly for further 50 meters using any preferred swim stroke occasionally signaling for help.
• Remove clothing in deep water. Fit PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100 meters using appropriate strokes
• Demonstrate HELP technique and climb out of the water whilst wearing the PFD.

Rescue skills

• Using a suitable buoyant aid, tow (non-contact) rescue of a person 10m from safety.

Knowledge

• Principles when performing a rescue

Information from Singapore Swimming Academy.

Some time during the March term break, C took her SwimSafer Silver examination.

Today, she received her certificate together with the badge and pin. They were ready last Friday but because C was unwell, she had to missed lesson and hence was only able to collect them this week. Needless to say, she was very pleased with herself. 

In the past, the 1.5 hours she spent at the pool for each lesson would have her practising all the swimming strokes. But we noticed that since a month ago, the last 30 minutes of class would be reserved for SwimSafer activities. She and her swim mates would be exposed to life-saving skills and they would be practising these skills. We reckoned that this was a better arrangement as the children got to practise these important skills more regularly. 

During the December holidays, Precious took her Swim Safer Examination and cleared it.

She completed her bronze level and was awarded a certificate which came with a collar pin and a tag. :) Cheryl was very pleased with herself.

When C first started swimming, it was because we wanted her to be stronger. She used to have weak lungs and would cough ever so often. It has been more than 1 year since and the frequency of her coughing episodes has indeed decreased.

We learned that swimming would be part of C's primary school physical education programme and then recently, C's coach advised us to let C take the Bronze Stage of the SwimSafer Programme as this was a programme that most if not all local schools adopt.

Hence after some deliberation, Daddy and I agreed to let C take the test.

The following information is taken from Happy Fish Swim School:

SwimSafer Stage 4 Bronze Test Criteria: Personal Water Survival and Stroke Improvement Skills
Development of your child's stroke technique will be a focus here, along with coordinated breathing in deep water while swimming 100 metres. Principles of water crafty safety will be introduced, as well as continuous work on rescue and personal water survival skills.

Entries and Exits:                       Enter water using a compact jump

Sculling and Body Orientation:   Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water

Underwater Skills:                  Search for and recover an object in 1.5m of water depth. Demonstrate a feet-  
                                              first surface dive.

Movement/Swimming/Strokes: Swim 100 metres continuously (25m Front Crawl, 25m Breaststroke, 25m
                                               Backstroke, 25m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke.

Survival and Activity Skills:      Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt. Swim slowly for 3 min using any
                                               appropriate swim stroke, changing each minute.

Rescue Skills:                          Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6 metres.
                                              Wade to a person and deliver a flotation aid in deep water. Approach in
                                              "Ready" position.

Knowledge:                            Principles of water craft safety

(This is the theory part that the children need to know. There are a total of 3 questions pertaining to safety on board a water craft and how the children should conduct themselves.)

These pictures were taken while C was out practising for her Bronze test which she took on 11 December. Well, it looks like she cleared the test. :)

Cheryl's swim coach reminded us that there was a swimming test coming up some weeks back and she commented that C was not a strong swimmer and hence she might not be able to clear the stage. Daddy and I were okay with her assessment because we were there all throughout her lessons and we saw for ourselves that she wasn't quite ready too.

Then this Saturday, it suddenly dawned on us that the swimming test was today!

We were surprised that C took part in the test and we were even more surprised that she performed very well. So well in fact, she cleared the stage. :) So instead of a 6 months duration, Precious managed to move up in 3 months.

Needless to say, C was very pleased with herself as well. Daddy and I just have two words for her, "Well done!" :)

3 months ago, C cleared Stage 2 and this week, she was up for her Stage 3 clearance. 

Precious had to swim 3 swimming styles to be able to clear the stage.

 

The girls in the pool and grinning away for the camera.

The new coach had to make sure the girls know how to swim the breast stroke, free style and back stroke well before she accepted them to be her students.

"Free Style"

This isn't much of a problem for Precious.

"Back Stroke"

"Breast Stroke"

This is the one that C has the most problem with. 

The swim test took place over 2 weeks this time round because she didn't manage to clear this the previous week. Daddy and I actually wanted her to be held back so that she could have more time to master this stroke.

Now that she has been given the green light to move on, swimming lesson will become more of an endurance because each session has effectively been increased to 1.5 hours. That is a L.O.N.G time to be swimming but I know Precious will be alright. She has always been a survivor.

It has been 3 months since C cleared her Swim Safe 2 and today, she would be doing her test to see if she could progress to the next stage.

C and Yeva getting ready to do the first part of the test; back stroke. 

Then they had to swim the free style...

and both of the girls cleared the stage.

Cheryl received her certificate for her clearance of "Swimming Skill Level 1" and she was grinning from ear to ear. :)

C mentioned that swimming was one of the activities she loves doing the most. Honestly, I am glad (more than glad actually) that C takes to all the enrichment classes that she attends. She loves Saturday best because there is art and then she swims in the afternoon.

C is under a new coach now that she has cleared her stage.

This session, she did more of the free style and back stroke. Still ain't a very strong swimmer, but she is making steady progress. :)

C doing the back stroke.

C doing her free style

C goes under a new swim coach every 3 months. She learns a new technique, firms up the old one and then get tested by the coach who will take her for the next three months. If the new coach isn't pleased with her performance, she stays with the current coach for the next 3 months till she gets tested again.

Our Precious, wearing her new costume. She was complaining of the thermal one being a little too tight. Doesn't she look all grown up here?

Part of her test.

Being able to swim 25 m of the pool was also one of the criteria.

From breast stroke to free style.

This is what C has been up to these few weeks. She isn't a very strong swimmer yet but what Daddy and I love about our Precious is her earnest learning attitude. She is enthusiastic and is always happy when it is Saturday.

Some weeks ago, C took her swimming test and passed it.

It must be a big thing because C got a certificate and a badge for it! :) She was mighty proud of herself ... well, Daddy and I were too. 

Cheryl is now learning to do another style now.

C is now under Coach Yeo and she is enjoying his lessons a lot.

Today, he had her relaxed herself and stay afloat on the waters.

We knew that a test was coming up but we hadn't the slightest clue when it would take place. Besides, C had taken a break of close to 2 weeks because of our trip to England. Daddy and I were worried that she might have forgotten her strokes and kicks.

This afternoon, C did take a while to get back into form. Then almost at the end of her lesson, her coach instructed her to sit at the edge of the pool and got out to speak to another. Our hearts skipped a beat when we learned that he was approaching Uncle Yeo and asked him to come over for an assessment of C's progress and readiness to move on to the next stage.

We didn't think C knew what was happening. Then she had to plunge into the pool and swim!

Uncle Yeo nodded his head and said yes and she was now ready to move on to the next level. Well done, Precious! :) Daddy and Mummy are extremely proud of you!