Water Safety

Level 1

• Explain Why it is difficult to swim in cold water and why cold water is dangerous.
• Explain what to do to stay safe on the beach.

Level 2

• Describe the safest place to swim and explain why they are safe.
• Name 3 dangers of water in and around the home.
• Describe the safest place to swim and explain why they are safe.

Level 3

• Explain what a prohibition sign, a warning sign, a mandatory sign and an information sign are and what they look like.
• Explain the second point of the Water Safety Code and what to do to follow it.

Level 4

• List things which make water outside dangerous.

Self Rescue

Level 1

• Enter shallow water safely using the steps.
• Completely submerge with open eyes and breathe out under water.
• Float for 30 seconds on the front or back with a floating aid, then stand up from floating.
• Swim 5 metres in shallow water without using any aids.
• Be rescued by grabbing a stick or an article of clothing and be pulled to the side.
• Leave the water safely using the steps.

Level 2

• Demonstrate a Slide-in entry into shallow water and explain when to use it.
• Demonstrate the International Distress Signal and explain when it is used.
• Swim 10 metres without using an aid.
• Float on the back for 1 minute, holding a floating aid and shouting for help.
• Swim 10 metres Lifesaving Backstroke or Side Stroke.
• Catch a rope thrown by a rescuer 5 metres away and be pulled to the side.
• Explain the characteristics of the different swimming strokes.
• Demonstrate a Slide-in entry into shallow water and explain when to use it.

Level 3

• Swim 25 metres.
• Catch a floating aid and kick 25 metres to the side.
• Demonstrate the HELP position and explain how it conserves heat in cold water.
• Tread water for 30 seconds.
• Swim 10 metres on the back then 10 metres on the front.
• Surface dive – feet first and recover an object from the bottom in water no more than 1 metre deep.
• Climb out of shallow water without using the steps.

Level 4

• Demonstrate a Step-in entry and explain when it is used.
• Swim 50 metres, 25 of these must be on the front.
• Tread water for 1 minute.
• Explain the HUDDLE position and how to conserve heat in cold water.
• Be rescued with a non-rigid rescue aid and be towed 10 metres to shallow water.
• Climb out from deep water without using the steps.
• Explain what to do if in difficulty in the sea.

Level 1

• Explain what to do when seeing someone in difficulty in the sea.
• Perform a Throw Rescue.

Level 2

• List the Rookie Action Plan, and discuss the different rescues.
• Perform a Wade Rescue using a stick a piece of clothing and help the casualty out.
• Explain what to do if someone has fallen through the ice.
• List the Rookie Action Plan, and discuss the different rescues.

Level 3

• Explain the best way to perform a Row Rescue.
• Demonstrate a Throw Rescue With a rope and instruct the casualty how to get out of the water.
• Recognise the four types of casualty.

Level 4

• Explain the 3A`s for rescues.
• Help a casualty from the water without using the steps.
• Explain when and why a rescuer’s own safety comes first.

Level 1

• Demonstrate the checks for danger and response, shouting for help and opening airway.
• Demonstrate how to check if a casualty is breathing.
• Demonstrate how to place a casualty in the recovery position and explain when to put a casualty in the recovery position.
• Give a friend instructions for getting help.

Level 2

• Demonstrate the checks for danger, response and shouting for help.
• Demonstrate how to open the airway and check for breathing.
• Demonstrate how to turn a casualty from front to back.
• Explain what action to take in case of an asthma attack.

Level 3

• Demonstrate the action for vomiting.
• Explain when to give Rescue Breathing.
• Demonstrate Rescue Breathing for 1 minute.

Level 4

• Demonstrate the checks for danger, response and shouting for help. Show how to open the airway, check for breathing and give Rescue Breathing.
• Demonstrate how to turn a casualty from front to back.
• Place casualty in recovery position.
• Give a bystander instructions to go for help.
• Explain the treatment for sunburn.

Star Grade 2 – Summary Award

Water Safety

• Explain why it is difficult to swim in cold water and why cold water is dangerous.
• Explain what to do to stay safe on the beach.
• Describe the safest places to swim on the beach.
• Name 3 dangers of water in and around the home.
• Explain what a prohibition sign, a warning sign, a mandatory sign and a information sign are and what they look like.

Self Rescue

• Enter and climb out of the water without using the steps.
• Be rescued by grabbing a rescue aid and be pulled to the side.
• Demonstrate a Slide-in entry and explained when they are used.
• Demonstrate the International Distress Signal and explain when it is used.
• Swim 25 metres and tread water for 1 minute.
• Explain the HUDDLE position and how to conserve heat in cold water.
• Explain what to do in difficulty in the sea.
• Enter and climb out of the water without using the steps.

Rescue

• Explain what to do when seeing someone in difficulty in the sea.
• List the rookie Action Plan, and discuss the different rescues.
• Perform a Wade Rescue and explain how to perform a Row Rescue.
• Explain what to do if someone has fallen through the ice.
• Recognise the four types of casualty.
• Explain the 3A’s for rescue.
• Explain what to do when seeing someone in difficulty in the sea.

Emergency Response
Rookies can gain the RLSS UK Rescue Breathing Award, this is the same as Requirements A – E for Star Grade Summary Award in Emergency Response.

• Demonstrate the checks for danger, response and shouting for help, show how to open the airway, check for breathing and give Rescue Breathing.
• Demonstrate the action for vomiting.
• Demonstrate how to turn a casualty from front to back.
• Place a casualty in the recovery position.
• Give a bystander instructions to go for help and explain how to use the phone to call help.
• Explain the treatment for sunburn.