Safety Week – Land 5 and 6 (Afternoon)

NO GOGGLES

These lessons are to focus on survival skills and discussion. Ask questions based on the following points and encourage all children to answer. As these kids are reasonable swimmers focus on beach/boat safety.

COMMENCING THE CLASS

Explain that the water is fun. However, we want all our friends to be safe over summer, so there are some things that they should know. That is why we are having “Safety Week”.

GENERAL SAFETY

Blow your bubbles and open your eyes. Explain that their bubbles can lead them to the top of the water. PRACTICE THIS: Take them to the deep end and get them to open their eyes and watch their bubbles go to the top.

Don’t panic!

BEACH SAFETY

Never enter the water without an adult or an adult watching you.

Always swim between the flags. Ask why? Safe water, lifeguards watching etc. What colours are the flags?

No flags, no swim.

Never swim near rocks.

Explain how “calm” water can have rips underneath that can get children into trouble as they can pull you under.

If boogie boarding and you fall, leave the boogie board and float on your back, or use the boogie board to help you float.

If “dunked” by a wave, watch your bubbles to get to the top.

Watch the waves as they can knock you over.

If you feel unsafe, use your arms to wave. PRACTICE THIS, getting them to use both arms while floating on their back. Tell children NOT to wave like this to their Mum’s and Dad’s.

Touch on survival scull and teach survival backstroke. PRACTICE THIS as if going back to shore and keeping their eyes on the waves. Splash water over their faces for the “wave” experience. Get them to blink to get rid of the water. Explain why we use survival skull (uses less energy, they can breath normally while on their back, they can watch the waves).

Explain survival backstroke can be used should they need to tow someone. Use discretion re the class size and the kids involved as to whether or not you practice towing.

POOL SAFETY

Never climb over a pool fence or go through a pool fence without an adult present.

Never enter the water to fetch a ball. Call an adult instead.

Tell an adult if a friend enters the water without an adult present, or if a friend is in trouble.

If a friend is in trouble, throw something that floats to them. What can float? Boards, buoys, noodles and plastic drink bottles (tell them to empty them first) etc.

What’s a number you can ring if a friend is in trouble in the pool? “000” and ask for the ambulance.

If you fall into a pool kick to the edge on your back and hold on or climb out. PRACTICE THISduring the class and dive time.

If you are wearing shoes and a heavy jacket, take them off and let them sink. It does not matter how new they are, your safety is more important then shoes or a jacket that can weigh you down.

BOAT SAFETY

Never go on a boat without a life jacket. If your Dad’s friend says “But it’s only a short trip, we’ll be okay”, you STILL don’t go without your life jacket.

Never play on a boat.

Don’t lean over the boat.

Don’t stand in the boat if the boat is moving.

Sit next to an adult while on a boat.

If you fall off a boat, float on your back. Your life jacket will keep you on top of the water. Raise one hand in the air and wave. PRACTICE THIS, holding their back. Where the child is more competent at floating, get them to raise both hands in the air and use the “help signal” with their arms.

Again, if you are wearing shoes and a heavy jacket, take them off and let them sink. It does not matter how new they are, your safety is more important then shoes or a jacket that can weigh you down.

Alternatively, if in the ocean, they can survival scull/survival backstroke back to shore or if in a river they can backstroke to the bank, keeping an eye out for boats.