Swim Patrol
The three levels of the Swim Patrol program allow young people to continue developing their swimming skills while gradually discovering the fundamentals of lifesaving, first aid, and aquatic supervision.
Through a variety of challenges, participants improve their swimming techniques, endurance, physical fitness, and lifesaving judgment. The activities also help develop practical first aid and lifesaving skills while reinforcing Water Smart® behaviours.
The program provides an excellent transition between the Swimmer levels and the first courses leading to the lifeguard pathway.
CThis first level helps participants consolidate their front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke techniques over 50 metres while introducing lifesaving-specific skills.
Participants are introduced to skills such as swimming with an obstacle and carrying an object. First aid skills include assessing a conscious victim, communicating with emergency medical services and responding to bleeding. Training exercises and timed swims also help develop endurance.
Skills Taught
Develop endurance and swimming techniques while having fun;
Perform a primary assessment of a conscious victim;
Communicate effectively with emergency medical services;
Perform a visual scan of an aquatic facility;
Effectively throw a rescue aid in an emergency;
Develop an effort-based approach.
Duration
10 hours total
Swimming distances increase to 75 metres for each stroke, while lifesaving skills become more advanced.
Participants complete a lifesaving medley, a timed object-support exercise and a rescue using a buoyant aid. First aid skills include assessing an unconscious victim, treating shock and responding to an airway obstruction.
Skills Taught
Improve swimming techniques;
Perform a primary assessment of an unconscious victim;
Provide care for a victim in shock;
Treat a conscious choking victim;
Perform a non-contact rescue using a buoyant aid.
Duration
10 hours total
This final level introduces more advanced challenges to develop endurance, swimming efficiency and lifesaving techniques. Participants refine their swimming strokes over 100 metres and complete training exercises covering distances of up to 600 metres.
First aid skills include treating fractures, joint injuries and certain respiratory emergencies, including those related to asthma and severe allergic reactions.
Participants also develop more advanced lifesaving techniques, including defence methods, removals from the water and turning a victim over in shallow water while keeping the victim’s face above the surface.
Skills Taught
Refine swimming techniques;
Develop lifesaving and first aid skills;
Rescue a tired or non-swimmer;
Treat a fracture or injured joint;
Provide care to a victim experiencing difficulty breathing due to a severe allergy or asthma attack.
Duration
10 hours total