Swimming School

Red Cross - Swimming Levels

Requirements to pass each level.

Level 1 - "Introduction to Water Skills"

• Enter water using a ramp, steps or side
• Exit water using a ladder, steps or side
• Blow bubbles for 3 seconds
• Bobbing, 5 times
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front and back glides and floats
• Recover to vertical position
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread water using arm and hand actions
• Back Float for 5 seconds
• Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
• Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back

• Enter independently, travel at least 5 yards, bob 5 times, then safely exit the water.
• Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 5 seconds, and recover to a vertical position.

• Staying safe around water
• Recognizing the lifeguards
• Don't Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket
• Recognizing an emergency
• How to call for help
• Too Much Sun Is No Fun

Level 2 - "Primary Skills"

• Enter water by stepping or jumping from the side
• Exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Fully submerge and hold breath
• Bobbing, 10 times
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Rotary breathing
• Front, jellyfish and tuck floats for 10 seconds
• Front glide and recover to vertical position
• Back glide and recover to vertical position
• Back float for 15 seconds
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
• Tread water for 15 seconds
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Finning arm action on back

• Step from side into chest-deep water, push off the bottom, move into a treading or floating position for at least 15 seconds, swim on front and/or back for 5 body lengths, then exit water.
• Move into a back float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then recover to a vertical position.
• Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming for at least 5 body lengths.

• Staying safe around water
• Don't Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket
• Recognizing an emergency
• How to call for help
• Too Much Sun Is No Fun
• Look Before You Leap
• Think So You Don't Sink
• Reach or Throw, Don't Go
• The danger of drains

Level 3 - "Stroke Development"

• Jump into deep water from the side, submerge, return to the surface then to the side
• Headfirst entry from the side in seated and kneeling positions
• Bobbing while moving to safety
• Rotary breathing
• Survival float for 30 seconds
• Back float for 1 minute
• Tread water for 1 minute
• Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back
• Push off in streamlined position on front, then begin kicking
• Swim front crawl for 15 yards
• Swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards
• Flutter, scissors, breaststroke, and dolphin kicks

• Jump into deep water from the side, recover to the surface, maintain position by treading or floating for 1 minute, rotate one full turn, then turn as necessary to orient to the exit point, level off, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards, then exit water.
• Push off in a streamlined position, then swim front crawl for 15 yards, change position and direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke 15 yards, then exit water.

• Reach or Throw, Don't Go
• Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice
• Look Before You Leap
• Developing breath control safety
• Making good decisions – choosing an exit point

Level 4 - "Stroke Improvement"

• Headfirst entry in compact and stride positions
• Feetfirst surface dive
• Swim underwater
• Tread water, using 2 different kicks
• Survival swimming for 1 minute
• Front crawl for 25 yards
• Elementary backstroke for 25 yards
• Breaststroke for 15 yards
• Back crawl for 15 yards
• Butterfly for 15 yards
• Sidestroke for 15 yards
• Open turns on the front and back
• Flutter and dolphin kicks on back
• Push off in streamlined position on back, then begin kicking

• Perform a feetfirst entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary, and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
• Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and position as necessary, and swim back crawl for 15 yards.
• Submerge and swim a distance of 3 to 5 body lengths underwater without hyperventilating, return to the surface, then exit the water.

• Reaching assist
• Throwing assist
• Recreational water illness
• Think So You Don't Sink
• Look Before You Leap

Level 5 - "Stroke Refinement"

• Shallow-angle dive into deep water
• Tuck surface dive
• Pike surface dive
• Tread water for 5 minutes
• Tread water, using legs only, for 2 minutes
• Sculling for 30 seconds
• Front crawl for 50 yards
• Elementary backstroke for 50 yards
• Breaststroke for 25 yards
• Back crawl for 25 yards
• Butterfly for 25 yards
• Sidestroke for 25 yards
• Front flip turn
• Backstroke flip turn

• Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl for 50 yards, then swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards, using appropriate and efficient turning styles throughout.
• Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary, and swim back crawl for 25 yards, using appropriate and efficient turning styles throughout.

• How to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR
• Recreational water illnesses
• Reach or Throw, Don't Go
• Look Before You Leap
• Think So You Don't Sink
• Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water of Ice
• Wave, Tide or Ride, Follow the Guide

Level 6 - "Swimming and Skill Proficiency"

• Surface dive and retrieve object from the bottom, 7-10 feet deep
• Front crawl for 100 yards
• Elementary backstroke for 100 yards
• Breaststroke for 50 yards
• Back crawl for 50 yards
• Butterfly for 50 yards
• Sidestroke for 50 yards
• Demonstrate open turns and front and back flip turns when swimming

• Swim 500 yards continuously, using any 3 strokes of choice, swimming at least 50 yards of each stroke.
• Note: Additional exit assessments are required, depending on the course option selected.

• Learn About Boating Before You Go Floating
• Think So You Don't Sink
• Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard's Chair
• Look Before You Leap
• The danger of drains
• The dangers of hyperventilation and extended breath-holding

• Fitness Swimmer
• Personal Water Safety
• Fundamentals of Diving