Competency Progress Indicators

Introduction  #

The Aquatic Safety Education curriculums are constructed around evidence-based research in the field of aquatic injury and drowning prevention. This research has determined that the acquisition of Aquatic Safety Competencies can prepare individuals to avoid or minimize risk in hazardous aquatic situations. Likewise, they can prepare individuals to recover from such a situation, should one occur.

The skills in this elementary school level curriculum align with one or more competencies and the assessment models have been designed to indicate a student’s aptitude for the competencies relative to an age-appropriate standard. Cumulative indicators as well as the individual Competency Progress Indicators (CPI) for each competency are described below.

Cumulative indicators  #

Cumulative progress indicator  #

Three codes are used to indicate a student’s overall progress toward meeting an established standard after completion of the course: Satisfactory, Progressing, and Unsatisfactory. The cumulative CPI is determined by the student’s collective achievements in the areas of Aquatic Safety Knowledge, Aquatic Motor Skills, and Aquatic Situation Skills. Each of the 16 single CPI scores (defined below) contribute to form a student’s cumulative CPI.

Cumulative Progress Indicators  #

Code

Description

S

Satisfactory: Meets grade-level standards.

P

Progressing: Demonstrates progress but does not meet grade-level standards.

U

Unsatisfactory: Does not demonstrate progress toward meeting grade-level standards.

Endurance indicator  #

The endurance indicator is a score based on the combination of three separate distance/time measurements for Propulsion Competency and Stationary Surface Competency skills: swimming, floating, and treading. The endurance indicator based on the pre-instruction (baseline) assessments is used to compare to the endurance indicator based on the post-instruction assessments to determine a student’s performance progression.

Endurance Indicators  #

Code

Description

3

Demonstrates a 25-yard swim, a 30-second float, and a 60-second tread.

2

Demonstrates a 25-yard swim and either a 30-second float or a 60-second tread.

1

Demonstrates a 10+ yard swim and either a 15+ second float or a 30+ second tread.

0

Does not demonstrate a 10+ yard swim or does not demonstrate either a 15+ second float or a 30+ second tread.

Single competency indicators  #

Introduction  #

Following is a set of generic descriptions for the single CPI codes which are used as a template for the each of the 16 individual competencies in the curriculum.

Generic Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student consistently demonstrates grade-level skills and concepts.

Student demonstrates development of grade-level skills and concepts.

Student does not demonstrate development of grade-level skills and concepts.

Aquatic Safety Knowledge  #

The category of cognitive skills associated with injury prevention, safety, and awareness as they pertain to aquatic environments.

Safety Competency (SFT)  #

The ability to understand how to behave and what is required to be safe in and around aquatic environments, and the ability to act upon values and beliefs in a way that promotes water safety.

Safety Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes what it means to be safe in an aquatic environment.

Student partially describes what it means to be safe in an aquatic environment.

Student does not describe what it means to be safe in an aquatic environment.

Risk Competency (RSK)  #

The ability to understand, analyze, and assess the risks of aquatic environments and situations.

Risk Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student provides satisfactory responses for all of the knowledge objectives.

Student provides satisfactory responses for most of the knowledge objectives.

Student does not provide satisfactory responses for most of the knowledge objectives.

Personal Assessment Competency (PAS)  #

The ability to understand, analyze, and assess one's abilities and limitations in an aquatic environment.

Personal Assessment Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student accurately describes their abilities and limitations.

Student understands the concept of limits but does not accurately describe their abilities and limitations.

Student does not understand the concept of limits.

Local Knowledge Competency (LKN)  #

The ability to identify and understand aquatic hazards found in one's immediate environment.

Local Knowledge Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes aquatic hazards found in both open-water and closed-water environments and describes how to avoid them.

Student describes some aquatic hazards found in various environments but does not describe how to avoid them.

Student does not describe or understand aquatic hazards in common environments.

Aquatic Motor Skills  #

The category of physical skills used to avoid or recover from hazardous aquatic situations.

Safe Entry Competency (ENT)  #

The ability to safely enter the water without harming oneself or others.

Safe Entry Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student demonstrates safe entry techniques without assistance.

Student demonstrates safe entry techniques but needs to use less challenging entry locations.

Student does not demonstrate safe entry techniques or needs assistance.

Safe Exit Competency (EXT)  #

The ability to safely remove oneself from bodies of water.

Safe Exit Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student demonstrates safe exit techniques without assistance.

Student demonstrates safe exit techniques but needs to use less challenging exit locations.

Student does not demonstrate safe exit techniques or needs assistance.

Breath Control Competency (BRE)  #

The ability to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without expending extraneous energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position.

Breath Control Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates proper and controlled breathing when performing various aquatic skills.

Student cannot demonstrate proper breathing techniques during skill assessments without modifying their movements.

Student does not demonstrate proper breathing techniques when performing various skills.

Stationary Surface Competency (STA)  #

The ability to float or tread on or at the surface of the water for sustained periods of time.

Stationary Surface Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates a float on their front or back for 30 seconds and a tread for 60 seconds.

Student demonstrates a float on their front or back for 10 seconds or a tread for 15 seconds.

Student does not demonstrate a float on their front or back for 10 seconds or a tread for 15 seconds.

Orientation Competency (ORN)  #

The ability to roll from one plane to another, to change direction of travel on the same plane, to navigate around objects, and to locate and navigate to safe locations.

Orientation Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates the ability to change direction when swimming, roll to/from their front and back, and locate an exit without assistance.

Student demonstrates the ability to locate and navigate to an exit.

Student does not demonstrate the ability to locate and navigate to an exit or needs assistance.

Propulsion Competency (PRP)  #

The ability to travel through the water using the movement of one's limbs in a controlled and efficient manner.

Propulsion Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates a continuous swim for 25 yards and demonstrates separate swims on two or three planes (back, front, or side) for at least 5 yards each.

Student demonstrates a swim, on any plane, for 5 yards.

Student does not demonstrate a swim of at least 5 yards.

Underwater Competency (UNW)  #

The ability to submerge and control one’s buoyancy as well as travel underwater and negotiate hazards.

Underwater Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates sequential underwater swims with a brief resurfacing and proper submersion between each swim segment.

Student demonstrates some underwater body, buoyancy, and breath control skills.

Student does not demonstrate underwater body, buoyancy, and breath control skills.

Combining Skills Competency (CMB)  #

The ability to perform multiple physical skills sequentially and the ability to adapt and combine skills to avoid or recover from hazardous situations.

Combining Skills Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

Student demonstrates a specified sequence of skills, which includes starting from a submerged position.

Student demonstrates some skills from a specified sequence, which includes starting from a submerged position.

Student does not demonstrate the ability to perform a sequence of 2 or more skills or cannot start from a submerged position.

Aquatic Situation Skills  #

The category of skills that require both analytical thinking and physical abilities to avoid and recover from hazardous aquatic situations.

Personal Flotation Device Competency (PFD)  #

The ability to understand the benefits of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and the restrictions of movement associated with them, and the ability to select and use properly fitting PFDs.

Personal Flotation Device Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes the benefits and movement restrictions associated with PFDs. Student demonstrates how to use PFDs.

Student describes some of the benefits and some of the movement restrictions associated with PFDs. Student demonstrates how to use PFDs but needs assistance.

Student does not describe any of the benefits or movement restrictions associated with PFDs or does not demonstrate how to use them, with or without assistance.

Rescue Competency (RSC)  #

The ability to recognize that someone is in danger, to assess how to safely assist them, and to physically assist them.

Rescue Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes how to recognize a drowning victim and provides appropriate responses to emergency situations, including calling 911. Student correctly demonstrates the Reach and Assist safety skill.

Student describes how to recognize a drowning victim and provides appropriate responses to emergency situations, including calling 911. Student does not correctly demonstrate the Reach and Assist safety skill.

Student does not describe how to recognize a drowning victim or does not provide appropriate responses to emergency situations.

Open Water Competency (OPW)  #

The ability to recognize and understand the differences between closed-water and open-water environments, and the ability to adapt and apply skills proficiently in an open water environment.

Open Water Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes hazards found in an open-water environment. Student demonstrates how to negotiate simulated open-water hazards.

Student describes some hazards found in an open-water environment. Student demonstrates how to negotiate simulated open-water hazards but needs assistance.

Student does not describe common hazards found in an open-water environment or does not demonstrate how to negotiate simulated hazards, with or without assistance.

Clothed Water Competency (CLW)  #

The ability to understand the effect clothing has on mobility in aquatic environments, and the ability to physically react to and survive in the water while fully clothed.

Clothed Water Competency Indicators  #

Code

Description

*

Student is introduced to, but not assessed for, grade-level concepts in a classroom and/or pool setting.

Student describes how to react and survive in the water while fully clothed. Student demonstrates safe entry, safe exit, stationary surface, and propulsion skills while fully clothed.

Student partially describes how to react and survive in the water while fully clothed. Student demonstrates safe entry and safe exit skills but needs assistance to perform stationary surface or propulsion skills while fully clothed.

Student does not describe how to react and survive in the water while fully clothed or does not demonstrate safe entry and safe exit skills while fully clothed.