American Red Cross Swim Levels
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To download a pdf file of the Red Cross levels, please click here.
Listed on this page are the 2008 American Red Cross (ARC) Swimming requirements for Levels 3-6. You can use them to have your daughter checked off by a qualified Water Safety Instructor (or swim coach) prior to her arrival at camp or to estimate her level for swimming instruction at Camp Illahee . Levels 1 and 2 are for children with little or no swimming experience. Fax (828-883-8738) or mail any swimming certifications (include instructor’s name/facility) to our office prior to camp.Questions? Email : carol@campillahee.com
Level 3 (STROKE DEVELOPMENT)
An * indicates the minimum requirements to “pass” each level for certification at home.
_____ *5 bobs with head fully submerged
_____ *Submerge and retrieve object
_____ *Front/back glide – 2 different kicks
_____ *Survival float (front) – 30 seconds
_____ *Back Float – 30 seconds
_____ *Front crawl w/ rotary breathing – 15 yd.
_____ *Back crawl – 15 yd.
_____ *Butterfly kick and body motion – 15 ft.
_____ *Jump into deep water from side
_____ *Discuss rules for safe diving
_____ *Head-first entry from side (sitting or kneeling position)
_____ *Tread water – 30 sec.
_____ *Discuss general water safety rules
_____ HELP/Huddle positions - lifejacket
_____ Demonstrate reaching assists
_____ Discuss Check-Call-Care
_____ Exit skill: jump entry from side, front crawl, (15 yd), float or tread (30 sec.), back crawl (15 yd)
Level 4 (STROKE IMPROVEMENT)
An * indicates the minimum requirements to “pass” each level for certification at home.
_____ *Front crawl – 25 yd.
_____ *Back crawl – 25 yd.
_____ *Breaststroke – 15 yd.
_____ *Elementary backstroke – 15 yd.
_____ *Scissors kick on side – 15 yd.
_____ Butterfly – 10 yd.
_____ *Know rules for safe diving
_____ *Dive from side (compact/stride position)
_____ *Swim underwater – 3 body lengths
_____ *Tread water – 1 min.
_____ *Survival float (on front) – 1 min.
_____ *Back float – 1 min.
_____ Demonstrate open turns on front & back
_____ Compact jump from height – lifejacket
_____ Demonstrate throwing assist
_____ Demonstrate care for conscious choking victim
_____ Exit skill #1: feet-first entry, front crawl (25 yd), back float (1 min.), elementary backstroke (15 yd)
_____ Exit skill #2: breaststroke (15 yd), tread water (1 min.), back crawl (25 yd)
Level 5 (STROKE REFINEMENT)
An * indicates the minimum requirements to “pass” each level for certification at home.
_____ *Front/back crawl – 50 yd. each
_____ *Breaststroke – 25 yd.
_____ *Sidestroke – 25 yd.
_____ *Elementary backstroke – 25 yd.
_____ Butterfly – 25 yd.
_____ *Tread water – 2 min./2 different kicks
_____ *Swim underwater – 15 yd.
_____ *Survival and Back Float – 2 min. each
_____ *Shallow dive from side (9+ ft. deep)
_____ Pike and tuck surface dives
_____ Demonstrate flip turns on front and back
_____ Survival swimming – 2 min.
_____ Demonstrate rescue breathing
_____ Exit skill #1: shallow dive, front crawl (50 yd), back float (2 min.), elementary backstroke (25 yd)
_____ Exit skill #2: breaststroke (25 yd), tread water (2 min.)back crawl (50 yd)
Level 6 (STROKE PROFICIENCY)
An * indicates the minimum requirements to “pass” each level for certification at home.
(Swim all strokes with good form and breath control and without stopping.)
_____ *Front crawl – 100 yd.
_____ *Back crawl – 100 yd.
_____ *Breaststroke – 50 yd.
_____ *Elementary backstroke – 50 yd.
_____ *Sidestroke – 50 yd.
_____ *Tread Water – 5 minutes in deep water
_____ *Survival Float (on front) – 5 minutes in deep water
_____ *Back Float – 5 minutes in deep water
_____ *Pike, tuck, and feet-first surface dives
The following skills are not required to pass Illahee’s Level 6; however successful completion of these skills in addition to the above would show completion of ARC Level 6 (Personal Water Safety).
Optional Skills
_____ Butterfly – 50 yd.
_____ Front crawl, Sidestroke, and Backstroke open turns
_____ Front flip turn and Backstroke flip turns
_____ Breaststroke and Sidestroke turns
_____ HELP and Huddle positions
_____ Tread water (kicking only) – 2 min. in deep water
_____ Surface dive and retrieve object from the bottom (7-10 ft. deep)
_____ Survival Swimming – at least 10 minutes
_____ Self-rescue techniques while clothed
_____ Swimming while clothed – at least 50 yd.
_____ Basic safety rules for open water and boating
Exit Skills Assessment
_____ Swim 500 yd. continuously using the strokes in the following order: front crawl (100 yd), back crawl (100 yd), breaststroke (50 yd), sidestroke (50 yd), butterfly (50 yd), and choice of stroke (100 yd)
_____ Jump into deep water, perform a survival float for 5 min., roll onto back and perform a back float for 5 min.
_____ Perform a feet first surface dive, retrieve an object at a minimum depth of 7 ft., return to surface and to starting pointPLEASE NOTE: YMCA Flying Fish is the closest level to ARC Level 6 (strokes should be tested for 50-100 yd.). Please send/fax all certification information to our office at 828-883-8738. Thanks!
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