Swimsafer Stage 5/ Swimsafer Silver
The above table is the actual test activities to be conducted during the assessment for Swimsafer Stage 5 (Silver).
Obtaining Swimsafer 5 (Silver), is it enough?
SwimSafer 5 Silver is the 5th award out of the 6th award in the SwimSafer program in Singapore. Swimsafer stage 5 is also known as Silver award in the swimsafer program. In this Silver award, swimmer have the confidence in self survival skills and good underwater skills as well as having a good swimming proficiency to achieve the required swim timing for Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke in a 50m distance.
Certain skills such as straddle jump and wearing life jacket in the water are some of the example of water survival
Additionally, while having advanced swimming and lifesaving skills can certainly be beneficial, it’s important to always exercise caution and avoid taking unnecessary risks when in and around water. No amount of training or certification can completely eliminate the dangers associated with water-related activities. Ultimately, the best way to stay safe in the water is to maintain a healthy respect for its power and to always exercise good judgment and with caution and some commonsense.
Mastering Entries & Exits: Essential Skills for Safe Swimming for Swimsafer Stage 5 (Sliver)
Learn the crucial skills of dive entry, sculling, body orientation, underwater techniques, strokes, survival and rescue skills, and gain knowledge about personal safety, environmental awareness, health awareness, emergency situations, and rescues to become a proficient swimmer.
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Introduction to Swimsafer Stage 5 (Silver)
Swimming is not just a recreational activity but also an important life skill. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced swimmer, mastering various swimming techniques and skills is essential for safe swimming. One crucial aspect of swimming is learning how to enter and exit the water effectively and efficiently. In this article, we will delve into the topic of “Entries & Exits,” which includes dive entry (crouching), sculling, body orientation, underwater skills, movement/swimming/strokes, survival and activity skills, and rescue skills. We will also discuss the knowledge about personal safety, environmental awareness, health awareness, emergency situations, and rescues that every swimmer should possess. So, let’s dive in and explore the essential skills for safe swimming!
Dive Entry (Crouching)
Dive entry is the technique of entering the water headfirst with minimal splash, allowing swimmers to glide smoothly through the water. One of the common methods of dive entry is the crouching dive, which is suitable for shallow water or when the water depth is not known. To perform a crouching dive, follow these steps:
Stand at the edge of the pool with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Bend your knees and lower your body into a crouching position, keeping your back straight and your arms relaxed by your sides.
Lean forward slightly and push off with your feet, extending your body forward and downward.
Keep your arms extended in front of you and aim for the water with your hands, leading with your head.
Enter the water smoothly, headfirst, with your arms extended in front of you, and minimal splash.
Remember to keep your body streamlined during the dive and to enter the water smoothly to avoid injury. It’s also essential to check the water depth before attempting a crouching dive to ensure that it’s safe.
Sculling & Body Orientation
Sculling is a technique that involves moving your arms and hands in a specific manner to maintain buoyancy and control in the water. Body orientation refers to the alignment of your body in the water, which affects your swimming efficiency and speed. Mastering sculling and body orientation can greatly improve your swimming skills. Here are some tips:
Backward Somersault in the Water: Start by floating on your back with your arms extended by your sides. Use a sculling motion with your hands and arms to generate enough momentum to perform a backward somersault in the water. Keep your head tucked in and your body relaxed throughout the somersault. This technique can help you gain better control and awareness of your body position in the water.
Scull, Float, or Tread While Putting on a PFD in Water: PFD stands for Personal Flotation Device, which is a crucial piece of safety equipment for swimmers. Practice sculling, floating, or treading water while putting on a PFD to simulate real-life situations where you may need to put on a PFD while in the water. This skill can be helpful in emergency situations and can increase your survival chances.
Underwater Skills
Being comfortable and proficient in underwater skills is crucial for safe swimming. Underwater skills include techniques such as surface dives, swimming through hoops on the pool bottom, and maintaining control and orientation while underwater. Here are some underwater skills to master:
Perform Feet-First Surface Dive and Swim Through Hoops on Pool Bottom for 3m in length (Long)
One of the essential underwater skills that are part of the Entries & Exits certification is the ability to perform a feet-first surface dive and swim through hoops on the pool bottom for 3 meters. This skill requires good body control and coordination, as well as the ability to hold your breath underwater.
To perform this skill, find a pool that is at least 1.4 meters deep. Stand at the edge of the pool, take a deep breath, and crouch down into a dive entry position. The crouching dive entry is an effective way to enter the water with minimal splash, allowing you to maintain visibility underwater.
Once you are in the water, scull and orient your body in a streamlined position. Use your arms and legs to propel yourself downwards towards the pool bottom. As you reach the bottom, swim through hoops that are placed on the pool bottom for a distance of 3 meters. This requires precise control of your body movements and coordination to navigate through the hoops smoothly.
Remember to keep your eyes open and maintain spatial awareness as you swim through the hoops. Once you have successfully swum through the hoops, resurface and swim back to the edge of the pool. This skill demonstrates your ability to control your movements underwater, maintain body orientation, and navigate through obstacles, which are crucial survival skills in emergency situations.
Movement / Swimming / Strokes
Apart from the underwater skills, Entries & Exits certification also includes various swimming strokes that are important for survival and rescue situations. The following swimming strokes are part of the certification requirements:
50m Front Crawl (within 1:30 min): Front crawl, also known as freestyle, is a fast and efficient swimming stroke that allows you to cover long distances quickly. It requires coordination of your arms and legs, as well as proper breathing technique.
50m Breaststroke (within 1:50 min): Breaststroke is a slower but more controlled swimming stroke that is commonly used for recreational swimming and rescue situations. It involves coordinated arm and leg movements, as well as gliding through the water for efficiency.
50m Backstroke (within 1:40 min): Backstroke is a swimming stroke that is performed on your back, with alternating arm and leg movements. It allows you to maintain visibility of your surroundings and is useful for swimming in open water or in rescue situations where you need to keep an eye on the victim.
25m Survival Backstroke: Survival backstroke is a modified version of the backstroke that is used in emergency situations where you need to conserve energy and maintain stability. It involves slow and controlled movements, using your arms and legs to stay afloat and move through the water.
25m Sidestroke: Sidestroke is a swimming stroke that is often used for resting or maintaining stability in the water. It involves a scissor-like kick and a sweeping arm movement, allowing you to maintain a balanced position and conserve energy.
Dolphin kick 10m on front: Dolphin kick is a powerful underwater swimming technique that involves undulating your body in a wave-like motion. It is often used in rescue situations where you need to move quickly underwater while conserving energy.
Survival & Activity Skills
In addition to swimming strokes, the Entries & Exits certification also includes various survival and activity skills that are important for maintaining safety in aquatic environments. These skills demonstrate your ability to respond effectively in emergency situations and take necessary actions to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.
Enter deep water using a straddle jump: A straddle jump is a technique used to enter deep water quickly and efficiently. It involves jumping with your legs apart and landing in a straddle position, allowing you to enter the water with minimal splash and reducing the risk of injury. This skill is particularly useful in situations where you need to enter the water from a height, such as when jumping off a boat or a dock.
Tread water for 5 minutes: Treading water is a technique used to stay afloat without using any swimming strokes. It requires continuous movement of your arms and legs to keep yourself above the water surface. Being able to tread water for 5 minutes demonstrates your ability to maintain buoyancy and conserve energy in a water survival situation.
Perform a surface dive and retrieve an object from the bottom: This skill involves diving down to the bottom of the pool or body of water and retrieving an object, such as a weight or a simulated victim. It requires good breath control, efficient underwater movement, and the ability to locate and retrieve an object from the bottom of the water.
Demonstrate a basic rescue technique: As part of the Entries & Exits certification, you may also be required to demonstrate a basic rescue technique, such as a reaching assist, a throwing assist, or a simple swim rescue. These techniques are essential in emergency situations where you may need to assist someone in distress in the water.
Demonstrate proper use of personal flotation devices (PFDs): Personal flotation devices, such as life jackets or life vests, are important tools for water safety. You may be required to demonstrate the proper fitting, wearing, and use of PFDs as part of the Entries & Exits certification. This includes knowing how to put on a PFD correctly, how to adjust it for a secure fit, and how to use it to stay afloat in the water.
Demonstrate basic water survival skills: Water survival skills, such as floating on your back, conserving energy, and signaling for help, are crucial in emergency situations. You may be required to demonstrate these basic water survival skills as part of the Entries & Exits certification to show your ability to stay calm and respond effectively in a water survival situation.
What is next after Swimsafer Stage 5?
Student who completed swimsafer stage 5 will be able to progressively move to learn the tasks for stage 6. More information on Stage 6 here.
Swimsafer Silver/ Stage 5 Swimsafer 2.0 Skills Assessment Items
Swim (use crouching dive entry for Front-Crawl, Breaststroke):
- 50m Front-Crawl (within 1:30 min)
- 50m Breaststroke (within 1:50 min)
- 50m Backstroke (within 1:40 min)
- 25m Sidestroke
- 25m Survival Backstroke
- Dolphin kick 10m on front
Silver Sequence (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, long pants and t-shirt demonstrate the following sequence:
- Enter deep water using a straddle jump
- Perform a backward somersault
- Submerge feet first surface dive
- Swim through hoops on pool bottom for 3m and resurface
- Swim 45m quickly using front crawl
- Wave and call for help (rescuer to throw a PFD)
- Retrieve a PFD in water and fit it while treading water
- Demonstrate Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.) technique
- Then swim 25m with PFD and climb out of the water
Swimsafer Stage 5 Silver swim lesson plan
| Activities/Exercise | Teaching Points | Organisatin | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Kick Action | Feet Together, Move from hips. Understand Action Vs Reaction | All together | 10 min |
| 2 X 100m Breast Stroke | Glide after Kicking, Breathing control, Relax | All together | 10 min |
| 2 X 100m Back Stroke | Long nice arm stroke, Straight arm recovery, syncronise with Breathing | All together | 10 min |
Swimsafer Quiz Answers
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Swimsafer Stage 5 Certificate
Successful applicant will receive an E Certificate of Swimsafer Stage 5 upon passing of the Swimsafer Practical Test and the Swimsafer 2.0 Quiz.
Swimsafer Theory Test Portal
Swimsafer participant are required to complete the Swimsafer Quiz and achieve 80% to pass the test with unlimited attempts.
Register your Swimsafer Test with us to do your Swimsafer 2.0 Quiz.
The E-Certificate can only be generated upon passing both the Swimsafer Practical Test and Swimsafer Theory Test.
Swimsafer Stage 5- Swimsafer Sliver (Frequently Asked Questions)
Swimsafer Stage 5 has swim timing. Is it difficult to achieve the swim time?
With sufficient training and proper drills, your child should be able to meet the swim timing for Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke.
What are the challenges activities for swimsfer stage 5?
The challenges are Straddle Jump, wearing life jacket in the water, swim timing for 50m Freestyle @ 1:30sec, 50m Backstroke @ 1:40sec and 50m Breaststroke @ 1:50sec.
What can my child do if he/she fail the swimsafer stage 5 test in their MOE swimsafer program?
If your child fails the SwimSafer Stage 5 test in their MOE (Ministry of Education) SwimSafer program, there are a few options available:
Option #1– Retake the test: Your child can have another opportunity to retake the SwimSafer Stage 5 test after some additional practice and preparation (you can find one with your friend’s recommendation or any existing swimming classes that your child’s best friend is also learning swimming to join him).
Option #2– Talk to the instructor or the program coordinator to understand the specific requirements and expectations for the test. They can provide guidance on areas that need improvement and suggest strategies for success.
Option #3– Participate in remedial classes: The SwimSafer program may offer remedial classes or additional practice sessions for children who did not pass the test. These classes can provide focused attention and additional instruction to help your child strengthen their skills and improve their performance. CHeck with the MOE Teacher.
Option #4– Continue swimming lessons: If your child did not pass Stage 5, it might be beneficial to continue regular swimming lessons to further develop their swimming abilities. Consistent practice and instruction can help build confidence and improve skills over time. Your child can work on the specific areas they struggled with during the test and gradually progress to meet the Stage 4 requirements.
Option #5– Consider private lessons: If your child needs more individualized attention or has specific areas that require extra focus, you might consider private swimming lessons. A qualified swimming instructor can tailor the lessons to your child’s needs and work on the specific skills necessary and preparing them well for passing the SwimSafer Stage 5 test.
Option #6– Join our 6 days holiday swimsafer program. It is an exciting aquatic adventure that promises to enhance your child’s swimming skills and provide endless fun in the water. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to overcome your fear of water or an advanced swimmer aiming to refine your technique, this program offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience for individuals of all ages and abilities. The enrolment is open in Aug-Sept for Dec Holiday swim program and Mar-April for June Holiday Swim Program. Read more here.
Remember that failing the test is not uncommon, and it does not mean that your child cannot succeed in learning to swim. It is essential to provide encouragement and support to help them overcome any setbacks and keep them motivated to continue their swimming journey.
Unsure which stage your child can do? Try our Swimsafer Stage Checker here.
Where can I find more information about Swimsafer Syllabus?
You can get more information here.
Which stage will my child learn side stroke?
Stage 4 onward your child will be introduced sidestroke. It is another water survival strokes.
Which are the component in Stage 5 that has the highest failure rate?
Timing for Backstroke.
Why and how to swim a backstroke correctly?
The answer of backstroke smooth swimming is all about technique. A jerky swim and arm not reaching far enough, the absence of the rotation of body, posture not balance or streamline, swimmers keep drinking water while on the back, are some of the factors that causes the stroke to fail. Swimming backstroke requires rotation of the body and a strong sense of rhythm and breathing and more importantly, a well balanced body posture. You can read more about back stroke common mistakes here.
Where do I sign up for weekly class?
Some of our slot are full. However you may join some of other slots that still have available slot. We may put you on waiting list if the slot you requested are full. Max per group is 10 pax. Sign up here.
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