Distance Swim

Distance Swim  #

Introduction  #

The Distance Swim is an assessment tool designed to evaluate an individual's 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. endurance. It measures the ability to propel for a continuous period while at or near the surface, with no specific requirements for form, technique, or body position. The Distance Swim is performed as a single-effort swim, rather than as a “survivability test”, which would include periods of rest using Stationary Surface CompetenciesStationary 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. , such as floating and treading. Because it is an assessment tool, (rather than a skill or activity), it does not directly contribute to the development of a competency— it is a measurement of a specific aspect of a competency.

Description  #

The Distance Swim 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.

Distance Swim Description  #

Body

  1. Body positioned on surface; may be performed on frontFront / On frontA proneProneSituated on the front, or ventral, surface of the body with the face and chest downward.
    body position such that the face and chest are oriented down. “On front” means to have a prone body position on or near the surface of the water.
    , on backBack / On backA supineSupineSituated on the back, or dorsal, surface of the body with the face and chest upward.
    body position such that the face and chest are oriented up. “On back” means to have a supine body position on or near the surface of the water.
    , and/or on sideSide / On sideA lateralLateralSituated on one side of the body; one side facing upward and one side downward.
    body position such that one hip and shoulder is oriented up and the opposite hip and shoulder are oriented down. “On side” means to have the body positioned on one side and on or near the surface of the water.

Arms and Legs

  1. Arms and/or legs move to propel forward; may use any stroke, technique, or form

Breathing

  1. Breathing may be controlled, held, or an irregular pattern

Timing

  1. Swim is continuous

Assessment  #

Scoring rules  #

The following scoring rulesScoring rulesA guide used to evaluate performance of distance or time measured skills that includes descriptions of one or more criteria to determine whether to continue or halt the assessment process. specify the performance characteristics used to determine when to halt the skill assessment. A single measurement is recorded based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.

Distance Swim Scoring Rules  #

#

Record distance swum until student exhibits any of the following:

  • Requires assistance or becomes unsafe
  • Stops swimming
  • Swims mostly underwater
  • Stands on or pushes off the pool bottom
  • Holds on to a stationary object or flotation aid
  • Touches or kicks the pool wall, the instructor, or another student repeatedly
  • Reaches maximum distance of 25 yards