Water Safety Training

Year 5 displayed their understanding of water safety procedures this week. They have worked incredibly hard to get to this point of assessment, following the directions of the swimming instructor with focus and demonstrating with precision.

Wearing loose clothing, the first task to swim out slowly into deep water and survival skull for 90 seconds, then a cry for help and take position using a buoyancy aid. The tucked position and stillness of the body is designed to conserve heat and energy whilst waiting for help.

Once this was performed, rescue by dinghy was embarked upon. The children had to swim to the dinghy from a distance, some having to navigate ropes on the way. Once at the boat they had to communicate in order to position themselves around it so that the boat remained balanced. This could be challenging as people had to rearrange themselves with each new arrival. They then held onto the rope in an under-arm grip and tucked themselves into their rest position facing inwards. In a survival situation this enables people to be able to talk to each other, keeping morale high and to observe each other for signs of stress and fatigue. If needed one person can rest in the boat and then swap out with others over time, with the aim of preserving life.

At each challenge they were required to enter the water in a variety of ways, lowering in, a step in and a tucked side fall, they also had to show exits using the edge. They performed all these tasks extremely well, giving support and encouragement to each other throughout.

It was a physically and mentally intense session but their beaming faces showed how proud they were and so they should be. Phil and his team at Heworth Pool have done a great job and we are very grateful for their hard work and commitment to our children.