American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Lesson Descriptions:

This recognized program is instructed by certified staff. A skills test on the first day of lessons will determine if your child is in the appropriate level. It is not unusual to repeat levels before mastering all the skills. Below you will find the skills taught for each level of lessons. Feel free to call the Community Ed office to check which lessons your child took last year. 

Baby Swim Lessons Ages 6-23 months

• Enter & exit the water safely
• Feel comfortable in the water
• Experience wearing a life jacket
• Play safely in the water 
• Submerge & explore breath control & floating on back/front
• Child must be accompanied by an adult and a swim diaper must be worn.

Tot Swim Lessons Ages 2-4

• Enter & exit the water safely 
• Submerge in rhythmic pattern
• Change body position
• Glide on front/back with aid
• Experience wearing a life jacket
• Child must be accompanied by an adult. A swim diaper must be worn if child is not potty-trained.

Preschool Level A (Recommended for Ages 4-5)

This will be your child’s first lesson without an adult. Introduction to basic skills that will lay the foundation for future skill development.

• Enter/exit water safely 
• Roll to back & float for 3 seconds
• Submerge mouth & blow bubbles for 3 seconds
• Glide on front for at least two body lengths 
• Swim at least 5 yards

Preschool Level B (Recommended for Ages 4-5)

Build on skills taught in Preschool Level A. For students who are not afraid in the water & have had lessons on their own before.

• Step from side into chest-deep water
• Move into a front float for 5 seconds, rolling to back
• Push off & use combined arm/leg actions on front for 5 body lengths
• Roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front & continue for 5 body lengths

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills (Recommended for Ages 6+)

• Enter/exit water safely
• Submerge mouth, nose & eyes 
• Open eyes under water, retrieve submerged item 
• Use life jacket · Float on front/back 
• Exhale underwater through mouth & nose 
• Explore arm/hand movements
• Basic water safety rules

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

• Rotary breathing
• Swim on front & back using combined arm and leg actions, 5 body lengths
• Back float for 15 seconds
• Front, jellyfish, & tuck floats, 10 seconds
• Change direction of travel while on front and back

Level 2B: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Back float for 30 seconds
• Rotary breathing
• Intro to flutter, scissors, breaststroke & dolphin kicks
• Change from horizontal to vertical position on front & back
• Front and back crawl & elementary backstroke

Level 3: Stroke Development

• Side deep water jump
• Survival float
• Fully submerged head bob
• Retrieve submerged item
• Kneeling/standing dive
• Reaching assist
• Horizontal rotary breathing
• Front/back crawl/glide
• Butterfly kick
• HELP/Huddle position
• Emergency Check-Call-Care
• Switch from horizontal/vertical to front/back

Level 4: Stroke Improvement

• Shallow, stride position or feet-first surface dives
• Swim underwater
• Tread water using sculling arm motions & kick
• Front/back crawl
• Throwing assist
• Safe diving 
• Front/back open turns
• Conscious choking victim care
• Breaststroke/butterfly
• Elementary backstroke
• Scissors kick on side
• Compact jump from a height, wearing a life jacket

Level 5: Stroke Refinement

• Tread 2 different kicks
• Front/backstroke flip turns
• Standing-tuck/pike surface dives
• Survival swimming
• Rescue breathing
• Butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke
• Front/back crawl, elementary backstroke
• Shallow dive, glide 2 body lengths into front stroke

Level 6: Swimming & Skill Proficiency

Options that focus on preparing to participate in advance courses like Water Safety Instructor & Lifeguard Training. Individual needs are determined on the first day.