Level I Skills Checklist (also used for Parent/Child)
Fully submerge face for three seconds
Bobbed with support ten times
Supported float on front
Supported float on back
Bubble blowing
Enter and exit water independently using ladder, ramp, steps, or side of pool
Walk five yards in chest-deep water, maintaining balance
Supported kicking on front
Supported kicking on back
Swim five yards with alternating arms and kick with or without support
Learn basic water safety rules
Reaching assists without equipment
Familiar with getting help
Release cramp
Wear life jacket on deck and enter shallow water
Level II Skills Checklist
Hold breath and fully submerge head for three seconds
Retrieve objects in chest-deep water
Explored deep water with support
Glide on back, unsupported, and recovered
Glide on front, unsupported, and recovered
Bobbed ten times, support optional
Stepped from the side into chest-deep water and recovered
Flutter kick on front, support optional
Flutter kick on back, support optional
Finning on back
Alternating arms using kick for five yards on front, support optional
Alternating arms using kick for five yards on back, support optional
Turn from front to back, and back to front
Reaching assists with and without equipment
Wear life jacket and float for one minute
Level III Skills Checklist
Retrieve object with no support in chest-deep water
Bob, submerging head completely
Bob in water slightly over head to travel to safe area
Jump into deep water from side of pool
Glide on stomach with push-off
Glide on back with push-off
Front crawl, breathing as necessary to front or side, 10 yards
Swim back crawl 10 yards
Elementary backstroke kick 10 yards, with or without kickboard
Reverse direction while swimming on front
Reverse direction while swimming on back
Tread water
Jump into deep water with life jacket on and float for one minute
Reaching assists with and without equipment
Open airway for rescue breathing
Level IV Skills Checklist
Deep water bobbing
Float
Rotary breathing
Elementary backstroke 10 yards
Sculling on the back 15 seconds
Glide on back with push-off
Front crawl with rotary breathing 25 yards
Back crawl 25 yards
Breaststroke 10 yards
Sidestroke kick (scissor kick) 10 yards with or without kickboard
Introduction to flip turns
Tread water with modified scissors, modified breaststroke, and rotary kicks
Jump into deep water with life jacket on and float for one minute
Reaching assists with and without equipment
Learn rescue breathing
Become familiar with CPR
Level V Skills Checklist
Deep water bobbing
Float
Elementary backstroke 25 yards
Sculling on the back 15 seconds
Glide on back with push-off
Front crawl with rotary breathing 25 yards
Back crawl 25 yards
Breaststroke 25 yards
Sidestroke 25 yards
Butterfly 25 yards
Flip turns
Tread water with modified scissors, modified breaststroke, and rotary kicks
Jump into deep water with life jacket on and float for one minute
Reaching assists with and without equipment
Learn rescue breathing
Become familiar with CPR
Skill Sheets
Lifeguard Readiness
Stride jump entry
Compact jump entry
Perform the correct rescue on an active drowning victim
Perform the correct rescue on a passive drowning victim
Perform the correct rescue on a passive submerged victim
Perform the correct rescue on a spinal victim
Two minute, no hands, tread
500 yard continuous swim
Retrieve a 10 pound brick from the bottom of the deep end
Swim a passive victim at least 15 yards
Introduction to CPR
Introduction to First Aide
Learn and understand pool safety rules
Learn correct whistle signals
Swim for Fitness
Tailored to the individual needs and goals of the student.
Diving Skills Sheet
Diving board rules and safety
Fall in Dive
Spring Dive
Swan Dive
Four step approach with feet first entry
Four step approach with dive
Four step approach with swan dive
Fall in back dive
Front role into water
Front flip from standing position
Four step approach with front flip
Four step approach with one and one half dive
Mastery of One Meter Diving Board
Mastery of Three Meter Diving Board
From www.USADiving.org
Media- Diving 101
Of the six dive types, the first four involve rotating in directions relative to the board and starting position. The fifth includes any dive with a twist. The final group begins with an armstand.
Forward Group
The diver faces the front of the board and rotates toward the water. Dives in this group vary from the simple front dive to the difficult forward four and one half somersault.
Backward Group
All dives in the backward group begin with the diver on the end of the board with back to the water. The direction of rotation is away from the board.
Reverse Group
Formerly called "gainers," these dives begin with the diver facing the front of the board and rotating toward the board.
Inward Group
Formerly called "cutaways." The diver stands on the end of the board with back to the water and rotates toward the board.
Twisting Group
Any dive that uses a twist (excluding armstands) is included in this group. There are four types: forward, backward, reverse and inward.
Armstand Group
Here the diver assumes a handstand position on the edge of the platform before executing the dive. This position is not used on the springboard.
Divers use one or more of the four body positions during each dive:
Pike
The legs are straight with the body bent at the waist. Like the straight position, arm placement is dictated by the particular dive or by the choice of the diver.
Straight
No bend at the waist or knees. Depending on the dive, there may be an arch in the back. Arm placement is the diver's choice or is defined by the dive performed.
Tuck
Body is bent at the waist and knees, with thighs drawn to the chest and heels kept close to the buttocks. Feet and knees should be kept together and toes should be pointed.
Free
Indicates the diver's option to use any of the above three positions, or combinations thereof, when performing a twisting dive.
Although several divers may do the same dive, each performance never looks quite the same. This is because each individual has unique mannerisms, characteristics of movement, strengths and timing -- all adding up to an abstract but observable phenomenon called "style."
Style is difficult to assess by any standard, except whether or not you like it. This is why judging is difficult. Even though there are criteria of execution all divers must meet, evaluation remains a subjective process. No matter how well a dive is performed, artistic likes and dislikes of the judges play a large part in the outcome of any contest, and for this reason there are usually differences of opinion among coaches, competitors, judges and spectators about the accuracy of results.
A dive is scored between zero and 10 points (full or half point increments) by each judge. A table of the scores and how they should be awarded appears to the left. Note that the guidelines do not indicate an award of 10 as "perfect," but instead as "very good."
Categories of Judging
Certain parts of each dive must be analyzed and evaluated, and an overall award obtained. The parts of a dive are:
Approach
Three or more steps forward to the end of the board before the hurdle and takeoff. Form: Should be smooth but forceful, showing good form.
Takeoff
A diver's lift from the board prior to execution of the dive. Form: Must show control and balance, plus the proper angle of landing and leaving for the particular dive being attempted.
Elevation
The amount of spring or lift a diver receives from the takeoff greatly affects the appearance of the dive. Form: Since more height means more time, a higher dive generally affords greater accuracy and smoothness of movement.
Execution
The dive itself. Form: A judge watches for proper mechanical performance, technique, form and grace.
Entry
The entry into the water is very significant because it is the last thing the judge sees and the part probably remembered best. Form: The two criteria to be evaluated are the angle of entry, which should be near vertical, and the amount of splash, which should be as little as possible.
