Swim Test

 

Aquatic safety is a partnership between great parental supervision and preventative lifeguarding. The Family YMCA of Emporia-Greensville uses a swim test and band system to identify the swimming ability and adult supervision requirements for children ages 12 years of age and under

THE SWIM TEST INSTRUCTIONS

• Swimmers aged 5 to 12 years old, or younger.
• Swim 25 yards total. Swimmer may or may not put face in the water. Rotary breathing is not required.
• Swimmer does not stop or rest by touching the wall or bottom of the pool.
• Jump into deep water and surface.
• Stop and tread water for 15 seconds. Swimmer must maintain a vertical body position keeping the head above water.
• Swim the length of a 25-yard pool on his/her front using an over-the-water arm recovery at all times. The feet should be at/toward the surface of the water at all times.

 

Red Band

 Children between 5 and 12 years old will receive a red band when:

• The swimmer declines to take the swim test
• The swimmer does not pass the swim test

Children with red bands must:

• Remain in shallow water (arm pit deep).
• Have an adult 18 years old or older in the water within arm’s reach and actively involved in the supervision of the child at all times.
• Children found in the water without adult supervision within arm’s reach will be reunited with their responsible adult one time per day. If a child is reunited for a second time in the same day, the family may be asked to leave the pool.
• Adults with multiple children must stay together in the shallow water within arm’s reach of the children.
• Aquatics Staff will perform periodic “Family Checks” to verify in-water adult supervision.
• Swimmers with a red band may enter deep water if accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older in the water within arm’s reach, if wearing a flotation device.

 

Green Band

• Children under the age of 12 must have an adult 18 years or older providing supervision.
• Upon passing the swim test, children will receive a green band.