Welcome to our Help and Safety Section. Please read this section first first before you jump into the water. It is full of tips and ideas to help you start your local swimming and lifesaving team.

Please make sure you follow all safety procedures and pool rules. We want to keep pool operators on our side as we need them for our weekly training.

Before beginning their water survival training program, team leaders should become thoroughly familiar with the information in this website. It ensures the safety of students during training and provides guidelines for identifying individual and safety equipment needs during training.

Please send in any additions or amendments you have for this website. You may help save someone in Asia, Africa, the Americas, or anywhere.

SAFE Principle

To counter the tendency to panic when unexpectedly entering water, you should know the SAFE principle. SAFE is a quick and easy reminder of the fundamentals of survival swimming. The acronym is described as follows:

Slow, easy movements.
  This is critical for energy conservation.
Apply natural buoyancy.
  Let the water support your body.
Full lung inflation.
  This helps maintain buoyancy.
Extreme relaxation.
  This ensures more control and composure.

Safety Factors for Training and Lessons

Safety is the first concern when training students in and around water. The following factors are important:
1. Know the water survival ability level of each student.
2. Ensure students understand the SAFE principle.
3. Have safety and emergency action plans.
4. Have instructors wear bright uniforms to be recognised by the other pool users.
5. Conduct all initial water survival training in a pool, with lifeguards and appropriate safety equipment present.
6. Ensure the water is at least three meters deep at the deep end of the pool.
7. Use the buddy system. (Pair a strong swimmer with a weaker one.)
8. Ensure all water entries during training are done feet-first.
9. Ensure students use the water entry techniques described below.