Front Float

Front Float  #

Introduction  #

The Front Float skill develops 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. as a primary competency and 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. as a secondary competency. Front Float teaches students buoyancy and body control at the surface with their face submerged in the water. The ability to float and maintain body control at the surface is a component of other aquatic safety skills, such as Survival Front Float and forward propulsion on front.

Description  #

The Front Float 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.

Front Float Description  #

Body

  1. Body positioned 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.
  2. Shoulders and hips at surface
  3. Body remains still
  4. Head, neck, and spine in line
  5. Face below surface with back of head above surface

Arms

  1. Arms remain still at or near surface
  2. Arms extendedExtendFor limbs – to fully straighten and reach towards or away from something. For joints – to straighten, not flex. out at shoulder level or just overhead

Legs

  1. Legs remain still at or near surface
  2. Legs extended with some separation

Breathing

  1. Breath held
Front Float Demonstration  #

Video demonstration of the skill.

Assessment  #

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.

Front Float Scoring Rubric  #

1

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Floats on front for less than 3 seconds

2

Performs all of the following:

  • Floats on front for at least 3 seconds

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Has shoulders or hips below the surface
  • Has face above surface
  • Does not extend arms and legs
  • Has arms or legs sagging below the surface
  • Moves limbs or head continuously

3

Performs all of the following:

  • Floats on front for at least 5 seconds
  • Keeps shoulders and hips at the surface
  • Keeps face below the surface
  • Keeps arms and legs at or near the surface
  • Keeps arms straight
  • Keeps legs straight

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Does not keep head, neck, and spine in line
  • Has back of head below the surface
  • Has some body or limb movement
  • Has arms fully overhead or near sides
  • Has legs together
  • Breathes during float without compromising body position

4

Performs all of the following:

  • Floats on front for 10 seconds
  • Keeps shoulders and hips at the surface
  • Keeps head, neck, and spine in line
  • Keeps face below surface with back of head above the surface
  • Keeps body and limbs still
  • Keeps arms and legs at or near the surface
  • Extends arms out at shoulder level or just overhead
  • Extends legs with some separation
  • Holds breath