Swimming Unit test
Sculling
Arm movements are performed in a figure eight pattern, which is done nice and easy.
Survival floating
is a facedown floating technique used when a swimmer is unable to reach safety and needs to wait in the water. It helps victims conserve energy. Movements are slow and easy.
Passive drowning victim
not moving and will be floating facedown on the bottom or near the surface. This could be the result of becoming unconscious due to a seizure, spinal injury or other health related incidents.
Scissor kick
one leg moves in front of the body, while the other moves behind the body; the legs come together like the action when scissors cut paper
Egg beater (kick)
provides continuous support because there is no resting phase, used in water polo. The knees are bent at a 90 degree angle and the lower leg makes circular movement.
Whip kick
legs move up, out, together. The legs move in a mirror image of each other.
Distressed swimmer
may be too tired to call for help. They may be clinging to the lane line for support, or trying to swim to the side, but making little or no progress. The swimmer in distress can change into a drowning victim.
Examples of throwing assists are:
- Rescue tube: a soft buoyant tube that can usual reach about 3 feet. - Ring buoy : a buoyant ring with a 40 to 50 feet of light weight line attached. - Any other flotation device; like an innertube.
Examples of reaching assists are:
- arm-to-arm: only used if the victim is near the side of the pool. The rescuer lays down and reaches out their hand to the victim's forearm. - rescue tube: a soft buoyant tube that can best used for a person that is within 3 feet from the edge of the pool. - shepherd's crook: metal pole with a hook on the end. Best used if the victim is beyond 3 feet away and within reaching distance. - Any secure object that a person can grab. For example, towel, pole, oar or paddle.
Backstroke
- head is aligned with the spine - face is out of the water, ears are under water - arms move continuously in constant opposition to each other; one arm recovers while the other arm pulls - during the recovery phase, the thumb comes out of the water and the pinky finger enters the water - flutter kick is used - Competitive stroke
Freestyle
- sometimes called the 'front crawl" - flutter kick is used - high elbow recovery - side breathing with ear in the water - Competitive stroke
Sidestroke
- used for leisure and survival swimming - A scissor kick is used - The body is horizontal on one side. The arm nearest the pool bottom is extended over the head. The top arm rests at the side of the body. - Arms come together and then extend opposite of each other, as the scissor kick is used. - Definite glide phase - Head remains out of the water
Elementary Backstroke
- used for leisure and survival swimming - face is out of the water, ears are under water - definite glide phase - whip kick is used - arms represent "monkey, airplane, soldier" or "up, out, together"
Breaststroke
- used for leisure and survival swimming and is a competitive stroke - whip kick is used - Pull, breathe, kick, glide - Swimmer is in a front float; during execution of the stroke, the body will move up and down - Slowest of the competitive swimming strokes
Throwing Assists
Can be used when a victim is beyond your reach. The rescuer should lean back as they pull the victim to safety. The equipment used should be able to float with a long line attached.
Fitness Swimming
Fitness swimming is a great way to build cardiovascular and muscular endurance. When fitness swimming, remember to circle swim. This will prevent swimmers from running into each other. When circle swimming, you must stay on the right side of the lane
The Streamline Glide (on front)
The arms are stretched and extended overhead, with hands placed on top of each other. The head is neutral and squeezed between the two arms.
Treading Water
a water safety skill that expends little energy when done correctly. It is also used during the game of water polo and in synchronized swimming. The body is in a vertical position. The head and ears are out of the water.
Side Breathing
simply breathing to the side while maintaining the freestyle stroke. Swimmers should exhale through their mouth and nose when their face is down and turn their head to the side to inhale.
Reaching Assists
used if the victim is close enough to grab an object given by the rescuer. The rescuer should keep their body low and lean back as they pull the victim to safety.
Active drowning victim
usually vertical in the water and unable to move forward or tread water; all energy is being used in an attempt to breathe. The person will not call out for help.