Beginner Combination Skill  #

Introduction  #

The Combination Skill safety skillSafety skillA method which improves the ability to interact with water in a way that increases the likelihood of avoiding and/or recovering from a hazardous aquatic situation. combines the following competencies: Safe Entry CompetencySafe Entry CompetencySafe Entry Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to enter aquatic environments without harming or placing inappropriate risk on oneself or others. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to lower, step, jump, dive, or otherwise move into the water, and to surface after entry. Cognitive abilities include determining how to enter a body of water safely by identifying, understanding, and analyzing characteristics of different aquatic environments. , Safe Exit CompetencySafe Exit CompetencySafe Exit Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to exit aquatic environments without harming or placing inappropriate risk on oneself or others. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to walk, climb, lift, pull, or otherwise move out of the water. Cognitive abilities include determining how to exit a body of water safely by identifying, understanding, and evaluating the benefits and challenges posed by specific locations and features, as well as being able to create a plan for exiting both before and after entering an aquatic environment. , Breath Control CompetencyBreath Control CompetencyBreath Control Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without using excessive energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position while in the water. Physical abilities associated with this competency include the physical exchange of air and keeping the body in a position at the surface so that the exchange of air can occur. Cognitive abilities include determining when to breathe and when to hold the breath. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner with the face both above and below the surface of the water. , Stationary Surface CompetencyStationary Surface CompetencyStationary Surface Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to remain at one location on the surface of the water for sustained periods of time for both strategic and energy-conservation purposes. Understanding the relationship between breathing and buoyancy and utilizing that relationship to affect buoyancy and body position are core components of being able to stay at the surface for extended periods of time. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to float in more than one position and being able to generate upward (vertical) propulsion with the arms and legs to keep the head above the surface. Cognitive abilities include understanding whether a floating skill or a treading skill is best suited for a given situation and set of conditions, and determining which specific floating or treading technique may be the most effective for the task at hand. , Propulsion CompetencyPropulsion CompetencyPropulsion Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to travel through the water using the movement of limbs in a controlled and efficient manner. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to perform gross and fine motor control patterns necessary to swim using different techniques in more than one body position. Cognitive abilities include determining which body position and technique is best suited for the conditions and circumstances of the task at hand, and an awareness of energy expenditure to regulate pace or speed. , and Risk CompetencyRisk CompetencyRisk Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to understand, analyze, and assess the risks of aquatic environments, and to be able to cope with risk by applying risk-management strategies. Cognitive abilities associated with this competency include problem solving, analyzing options, and determining how best to avoid or reduce risks in a given situation. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner and an awareness of how emotions can affect decision making. . Combination Skill teaches students how to perform multiple physical skills sequentially that may be required to avoid or recover from a hazardous situation. Since over half of all drownings occur after an unexpected entry into the water, learning how to recover to the surface from a submerged position and determining a course of action in quick succession is an essential aquatic survival skill that can be taught and practiced. Skill combination tests should start with the simulation of an unexpected entry into a deep body of water where pushing off the pool bottom or other forms of assistance would be limited.

Safety knowledge  #

Assessment prompt  #

If you accidentally fall into the water, what are three skills you can use to get to safety? Why those three?

Acceptable responses  #

Any combination of three skills is an acceptable answer. Encourage the ‘why those three’ portion of the answer to string together how the skills will be used. For example:

• Underwater swim to the surface so you can breathe, tread to look around and find safety, then swim on your front to get to the ladder and climb out.

Students may provide answers in a shorter list format, in this case, ask them to explain why those three skills work together. For example:

• Tread, swim, safe exit.
  • Tread to get air and look where you want to go. Swim to move to the wall. Safe exit so you can get out.

Description  #

The Beginner Combination Skill safety skill is defined by the following body posturePostureThe particular way the body is held while doing an activity. Mobility specialists define posture as the way you position your body or arrange your limbs, such as “to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up.” , arm formsFormThe visible shape or configuration of something. Mobility specialists define form as an arrangement of the elements in a composition; the way something (or someone) is shaped or arranged. , leg forms, breathing, and timing characteristics and features.

Beginner Combination Skill Features  #

Component sequence

1) Start from submerged position facing away from exit location

Component sequence

2) Recover to surface

Component sequence

3) Locate and change direction to orient toward exit location

Component sequence

4) Swim 5 yards to exit location

Component sequence

5) Perform Safe Exit

Breathing

Breathing controlled during each component

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Assessment  #

Test course  #

Start 5 yards out from the designated exit point. Perform one bob facing the opposite direction of the exit location. Recover and orient to the exit location. Swim 5 yards to the exit. Perform a Safe Exit.

Scoring  #

The following scoring rubricScoring rubricA guide that includes rating scales and descriptions of one or more criteria used to evaluate the performance of a skill. lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels. A single score is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.