Safe water entry and exit

Setup

1. A lifeguard or qualified teacher watches from the deck the whole time; nobody gets in until they say so.
2. Choose a shallow spot beside the steps or a ladder where every learner can stand with the shoulders clear of the water. Check the depth and tell the group what it is.
3. Young children have a helper in the water within arm's reach; nervous adults can begin sitting on the steps.

How it runs

1. Sit on the edge with the feet in the water and splash the legs to get used to the temperature.
2. Turn: put both hands on the edge to one side, roll onto the tummy and slide in feet first, facing the wall and still holding on.
3. Stand up, let go with one hand, then the other, and walk out a few steps towards the helper and back to the wall.
4. Climb out at the edge: hands flat on the side, push up, elbow, elbow, knee, then stand and step away from the edge.
5. Repeat using the steps or the ladder, facing the ladder with a hand on each rail, going down and up one rung at a time.
6. Finish with a short talk at the side: wait for an adult or lifeguard, read the depth sign, walk on the deck.

Coaching points

• Feet first, every time, into water whose depth you don't know.
• Face the wall while sliding in so both hands stay on the edge.
• Look for the depth sign before getting in; shallow water is never for diving.
• Climb out slowly and in order: elbow, elbow, knee, then stand.
• Walk on the deck; wet tiles are slippery.

Common mistakes

• Jumping in before the teacher says so, or where the depth hasn't been checked.
• Letting go of the edge halfway through the slide in.
• Trying to swing a leg up first when climbing out and slipping back.
• Coming down the ladder facing the water instead of facing the rungs.