These swimming tests go beyond the simple four lengths run. They are designed to assess your fitness and survival skills.
If you are not in a swimming team, ask the lifeguard or swimming teacher at your local pool to run you through these tests.
Follow the usual safety procedures. Have the training supervised by other lifeguards.
Adjust your clothes as required for your training level.
Discarded clothing must not be allowed to become a hazard to other swimmers
and should be removed from the pool as quickly as possible.
All elements of this test are performed consecutively in the order shown, in standard swimwear or whatever clothing you prefer.
All elements of this test are performed consecutively in light clothing.
This test is based on the Royal Air Force (RAF) swimming proficency programme. All elements of this test are carried out fully clothed, like lifeguard anorak, pullover and trousers. Not more than 2 minutes rest is permitted between sections.
This is an old Roya Air Force swimming test, but it's still good fun. Candidates are required to pass the following test, which is carried out in full clothing like tracksuits and anorak, or similar garments, without footwear. Not more than 3 minutes rest may be taken between the sections.
Floating is used when waiting to be rescued. If you wish to participate in boating activities you should pass a float test in a swimming pool. In the test, you must stay above water in one place for ten minutes using any technique, including treading water, dead man's float, floating on your back, and so on.
The float test is designed to ensure that you will stay on the surface of the water if you should fall in fully clothed, and that you are comfortable keeping yourself afloat until help comes to pick you up. Lifeguards at various pools in the community will sign off on float tests.
Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet, as the lifeguard or examiner will require that you complete the test fully clothed to simulate a boating accident. The test requires you to float with your head out of the water for ten minutes. At the end of the ten minutes you put on a life jacket, properly fasten it, and then swim to the edge of the water.
This test evaluates your ability to maintain yourself in the water indefinitely
even though exhausted or otherwise unable to continue swimming.
Treading water or swimming in place will further tire you and is therefore unacceptable.
This test must be long enough to determine that you are resting and likely could continue to do so for a prolonged period.