D1 Developing Water Discovery

Enter and exit the water safely. Swirl, pull, and push the water. Get the face wet. Submerge in waist deep water, open eyes and blow bubbles. Float to stand. Holding a buoyant aid recover from a face down float or glide. Hold a flotation aid to the chest and allow feet to float up.

L1 Water Discovery

Enter and exit the water safely. Submerge, open eyes and blow bubbles. Float to stand. Recover from a face down float or glide to a standing position. Be pulled to safety. Float with an aid for 30 seconds. Move through the water unassisted for a distance of 3 metres. Answer questions about water safety.

D2 Developing Water Awareness

Perform a slide in entry and exit using the edge. Demonstrate horizontal arm sculling actions. Swim for 30 seconds holding a flotation aid. Swim through a submerged obstacle. Swim for 10 meters using any action that resembles a stroke.

L2 Water Awareness

Perform a slide in entry and exit using the edge. Demonstrate horizontal arm sculling. Recover from a backfloat or back glide to a standing position. Be pulled through the water with a rope for 5 metres to safety. Recover an object from water of chest depth. Survival sequence – Survival scull for 30 seconds and float 1 minute, holding a flotation aid and then kick to safety. Swim 20 meters using any action that resembles a stroke. Answer questions about water safety.

D3 Developing Water Sense

Surface dive and recover an object. Scull head first on the back. Float on the front, back and side. Swim 30 meters using actions that resemble two or more strokes.

L3 Water Sense

Perform a step in entry. Surface dive, swim underwater and recover an object. Scull head first on the back. Using a rigid aid pull a partner to safety. Survival scull for 1 minute and then swim for 1 minute, holding a flotation aid. Swim 50 meters using actions that resemble two or more strokes. Answer questions about water safety.

L4 Water Wise

Safely perform a compact jump, a fall in entry and exit from deep water. Throw a rescue flotation aid to a partner at 5 metres distance. Demonstrate feet first sculling on the back. Demonstrate rotation of the tucked body. Surface dive, swim underwater, search for and recover an object. Swim continuously for 50 metres with above water arm recovery and 25 metres with underwater recovery. Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt, complete the following: Scull, float or tread water for 2 minutes and Swim slowly for 3 minutes changing survival strokes after each minute. Float for 1 minute using an open ended flotation aid. Answer questions about water safety.

L5 Junior Swim and Survive

Demonstrate a dive. Rotate the body about both the vertical and horizontal using eggbeater kick. Swim continuously for 25 metres freestyle, 25 metres survival backstroke or sidestroke, 25 metres back crawl and 25 metres breast-stroke. Dressed in swimwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt. Survival scull, float or tread water for 4 minutes – Perform a feet first surface dive and swim underwater for a short distance – Swim slowly for 6 minutes using three survival strokes, changing strokes after each minute. Remove clothing in deep water. Correctly fit a PFD, jump into the water, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of the deep water. Perform a reach rescue using a rope, towel or item of clothing. Answer questions about water safety.

L6 Swim and Survive

Perform a stride entry. Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault. Swim continuously for 50 metres sidestroke, 50 metres back crawl, 50 metres breast-stroke and 50 metres freestyle. Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long sleeved shirt and jumper, enter deep water using a feet first entry – Submerge feet first, swim underwater on the back, looking up at the surface – Swim 50 metres quickly as if escaping from a dangerous situation and then swim 50 metres slowly – Float using a buoyant aid for 1 minute – Swim slowly demonstrating survival strokes for 6 minutes – Scull, float or tread water for 3 minutes waving for help intermittently. Clothing may be removed. Correctly fit a PFD while treading water and then swim 25 metres using survival strokes. Climb out of the water. Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6 metres. Answer questions on water safety and personal survival techniques.

L7 Senior Swim and Survive

Demonstrate an entry technique selected by the examiner. Demonstrate an efficient eggbeater kick. Swim continuously for 50 metres butterfly or freestyle, 50 metres back crawl, 50 metres breast-stroke, 50 metres freestyle, 50 metres sidestroke and 50 metres survival backstroke. Dressed in swimwear, long pants, long sleeved shirt and jumper, shoes and socks, dive and swim 10 metres underwater to simulate and escape from a sinking boat surrounded by oil. - Swim a further 40 metres underwater as if escaping from danger. Remove shoes while treading water and swim 50 metres breast-stroke. – Float, survival scull or tread water for 5 minutes wave one arm occasionally as if signalling for help, reassure any nearby candidates by talking to them. - Swim 200 metres using survival strokes, changing every 50 metres – Remove clothing in deep water. Fit a PFD correctly while treading water, swim 100 metres using survival strokes, demonstrate HELP techniques and climb out wearing the PFD. Perform a throw rescue using a weighted rope over a distance of 10 metres. Wade to and pull to safety a partner by using a towel or item of clothing as an aid. Answer questions on water safety and personal survival techniques.