As Canada’s lifeguarding expert and leader in education and training to prevent drownings and water related injuries, the Lifesaving Society is please to present its swimming program: Swim for Life.
Based on the internationally recognized Swim to Survive standard, the Society’s Swim for Life program focuses on basic survival skills and fun from day one! It teaches the essential skills necessary to survive a sudden, unexpected fall into deep water. Swim for Life starts by developing strong foundational skills and essential personal self-rescue skills, then continues on by challenging swimmers to develop effective swimming strokes.
You can spot good swimmers right away. They’re the ones who know how to swim and behave safely around water. The Lifesaving Society’s Swim Program makes sure your kids are Water Smart before they get in too deep. You’re never too young to start, and never too old to learn. Our Swim for Life Program offers different strokes for different folks – of all ages and abilities.
The best place to learn to swim is in the water. That’s why our Swim for Life Program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that uses hands-on, fun and active teaching activities, lessons that will last a lifetime.
The Swim to Survive Standard
With all the water in Canada, minimum swimming ability is a required life skill for survival. Learning to swim is the most immediate and effective way to prevent drowning and water-related injury.
Simple, straight-forward and focused, the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard defines the essential minimum skills required to survive an unexpected fall into water and forms the basis for the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life swimming program.
The Swim to Survive Standard has received international attention and significant interest from injury prevention experts in Europe, Australia and in the United States.
Swim to Survive Standard
- Roll into water – Orient yourself at the surface after
- Tread water for 1 minute – Support yourself at the surface and get your bearings
- Swim for 50 metres – Using any method of propulsion, swim to safety
The Ontario Branch of the Lifesaving Society put together this 3-minute introduction to the Society’s National Swim to Survive standard – the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into water.
Check out more Swim to Survive videos, including 30-second versions and translations into French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, and Portuguese
Making the Switch: Davidson adopts Lifesaving Society Swim Program
(From the Davidson Leader, Saskatchewan) — “Swimming lessons will be offered under a new program this summer. Last Tuesday, Davidson town council agreed with recreation director Trevor Ouellette’s recommendation the town switch from the current Red Cross program to the Lifesaving Society (LSS) Swim for Life program.”
Why’d they switch? Read the rest of the article to learn how easy it is to run the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program!
Swim for Life Levels
Parent & Tot
These levels are especially for children aged 4 months to 3+ years and their caregivers. Based on the principle “Within Arms Reach,” the Parent & Tot levels focus on close playful interaction and shared fun between child, caregiver and water. Activities and progressions are based on child development, so parents register in the level appropriate for their child’s age. Through safety tips provided, caregivers learn what it takes to make Water Smart® choices.
Preschool
The Swim for Life Preschool program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These 3-5 year old preschoolers learn to be comfortable in the water and have fun. They develop a foundation of water skills and a healthy respect for the water before getting in too deep. Water Smart® education is taught in all Preschool levels.
Swimmer
The Swim for Life Swimmer progressions challenge school aged children 5 years and older to learn safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills, and swimming strokes. These Swimmer levels also develop everlasting habits for healthy, active living. Water Smart® education is part of every level.
Adult Swimmer
The Adult Swimmer Program is for both beginners who may be just starting out and for swimmers who just want help with their strokes. Participants set their own goals to develop confidence and smooth recognizable strokes.
Fitness Swimmer
The Fitness Swimmer Program is for swimmers of any age who want to improve their overall physical fitness in the water. Participants learn and experience safe training principles and practices including the highly effective technique of interval training. Participants set their own fitness goals.