Completion Requirements for Youth Level 3

  1. Jump into Deep Water
    • Student must jump without fear or assistance into the deep water.
  2. Sitting or Kneeling Dive
    • Student must enter the water with their head between their arms.
    • Student must enter the water head first.
  3. Bob while Moving to Safety
    • Students must exhale underwater and inhale above water.
    • The head must be fully submerged.
    • Students may push off the bottom.
  4. Rotary Breathing – 10 times
    • Students will exhale underwater with the body in a horizontal position and then turn to the side to inhale.
  5. Survival float – 30 seconds in deep water
    • Students must float with face in the water and bubbles.
    • Student’s arms should press down to lift their head in the water and then immediately go relaxed again.
  6. Back float – 30 seconds
    • Students must remain relatively motionless in a supine position.
    • It is OK if the student’s face goes underwater.
    • Students may use some small arm or leg motions to remain stable.
  7. Change position from vertical to horizontal on front
    • Demonstrate in deep water without assistance.
  8. Change position from vertical to horizontal on back
    • Demonstrate in deep water without assistance.
  9. Tread water – 30 seconds
    • Students must keep head above water but may use any combination of arm and leg motions.
  10. Front Glide with 2 Kicks – 3-5 Body Lengths
    • Students must be able to travel nonstop with their head in the water.
    • Students do this exercise twice using a flutter kick and a dolphin kick.
  11. Front Crawl – 15 Yards
    • The student’s body must be at less than a 30 degree angle with some rudimentary body roll.
    • Students may have some side to side motion in the trunk and legs.
    • The student’s arms should come out of the water.
    • Students may have straight arm recovery.
    • Students should have a continuous flutter kick.  An occasional bicycle kick is acceptable.
    • The student’s face must be in the water unless taking a breath.
    • The student may consistently breathe to the side, an occasional head lift is acceptable.
    • Arms and legs show general alternating pattern.
  12. Elementary Backstroke – 15 Yards
    • The student’s body must be at less than a 30 degree angle, the ears may be out of water and the chin may be tucked.
    • Hands may break the surface.
    • Arms may extend above or below the shoulder line.
    • Knees may break the surface and be wider than hips.
    • Occasional scissors kick is acceptable.
    • May have legs apart with an occasional flutter kick during the glide.
    • Occasional breath holding is acceptable.
    • Arms and legs move simultaneously.
  13. Scissors Kick – 10 Yards
    • Must be lying on side with bottom arm extended overhead, top arm against the side.
    • Perform a rudimentary scissors kick on side with support.
    • Any type of breathing pattern with occasional breath-holding is acceptable.
  14. Discuss General Water Safety Rules and Rules for Safe Diving
    • Reach or Throw, Don’t Go – Demonstrate reaching and throwing assists.
    • Look Before You Leap – Demonstrate
    • Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice
  15. Exit Skill I
    • Students jump into chest deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke 15 yards.

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