Safe Entry

Safe Entry  #

Introduction  #

The Safe Entry 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. develops 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. 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. . The objective is to teach students how to enter the water safely, surface, and level off. Teaching or reinforcing these skills is an important reminder to students who are already comfortable in the water and necessary for students who are unsure of how to enter a body of water, or should they unexpectedly enter the water and need to exit on their own. Instruction topics should include why being able to enter and exit the water correctly is important for their safety as well as the safety of others.

Safety knowledge  #

Assessment prompt  #

What should you check before entering the water?

Acceptable responses  #

  • How deep is the water
  • What is the temperature (too cold, or too hot)
  • If there are any rocks or objects
  • If the ground is slippery
  • If there are sharp rocks/edges
  • How big are the waves
  • If there are currents
  • That no one is in the way
  • That you have a buddy/friend
  • If there are lifeguards or other adults watching
  • Posted warning signs (jellyfish, rip current, etc)

Description  #

The Safe Entry 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.

Safe Entry Description  #

Entry sequence

  1. Sit on pool deck
  2. Place one hand on deck next to hip
  3. Rotate opposite shoulder and place second hand outside of first hand
  4. Continue to rotate until front of body is facing wall
  5. Gently lower body feet first into water
Safe Entry 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.

Safe Entry Scoring Rubric  #

1

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Needs instructor assistanceAssistance / AssistedPerforming a skill or a component of a skill with the use of a structure, instructor, or flotation aid.
  • Jumps into the water
  • Enters the water without either hand on the deck

2

Performs all of the following:

  • Sits on the deck before entry
  • Enters the water feet first with at least one hand on the deck

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Enters the water without rotating shoulders at least halfway
  • Does not gently lower body into the water

3

Performs all of the following:

  • Sits on the deck before entry
  • Rotates at least halfway
  • Gently lowers body feet first into the water with at least one hand on the deck

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Does not finish rotation; front of body does not fully face the wall
  • Has arms crossed after rotation or when lowering body
  • Does not keep both hands on the deck when lowering body into the water

4

Performs all of the following:

  • Sits on the deck before entry
  • Rotates until front of body faces the wall
  • Has arms parallel with both hands on the deck after rotation
  • Gently lowers body feet first into the water with both hands on the deck