Lifesaving Society Saskatchewan Branch

In 2000, the Lifesaving Society developed a “Swim to Survive” position statement that stated: “Acquisition of basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada.”

The basic swimming ability cited in the position statement was addressed in the Swim to Survive Standard which outlines swimming skills necessary to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.
The Society believes swimming is a life skill that all children need to learn. It’s no different than fire safety or street-proofing.
The Society estimates about half of Canadian children never take traditional swimming lessons – even though “swimming” is the second most popular activity (after bicycling) in Canada among school-age children between 5 and 12 years of age. The Lifesaving Society wants to ensure every child has the basic skills to survive.
Swim skills are not innate – they need to be taught – and all children deserve the chance to learn.
Our research shows most drownings occur close to safety. The Society believes if every child in Canada could pass the Swim to Survive Standard, it would reduce the number of drownings by as much as 70%.

In response to the above, the Lifesaving Society created the Swim-to-Survive program, a survival training program. The Society defines the minimum skills needed by all Canadians to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. These are expressed in a skill sequence in the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard:

Swim to Survive is aimed primarily at children, but people of all ages should be able to perform the Society’s Swim-to-Survive Standard.
And, the best news is that the Swim-to-Survive program is different than swimming lessons – and not a replacement for them. Swim-to-Survive teaches just the essentials needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. It is an important first step to being safe around water, not the only step; that is why the Lifesaving Society strongly encourages all parents to enroll their children and themselves in swimming lessons.
Pre-requisites: None
Course length: 3 or more pool sessions; 3 classroom sessions (optional)
Instructor books: Swim to Survive Award Guide and Swim to Survive Teacher’s Kit (optional)
Award Recognition: Wall certificate for every participant

The Society’s Swim for Life Program (S4L) is a complete learn-to-swim program from Parent & Tot through to Adult levels as well as a new Fitness level.
The focus is on learning to swim. Program content is stroke and skill driven: entries and exits, surface support, underwater skills, survival skills, movement/swimming skills; fitness and Water Smart® education. Content is designed to be taught 100% in the water for all levels (i.e. no on-deck teaching).
Levels include:

To support the Swim to Survive position statement and the Swim to Survive standard, this learn to swim program was developed by the Lifesaving Society, further helping to meet the mission of drowning prevention.
The International Life Saving Federation endorses the Society’s Swim for Life program as being an excellent learn-to-swim program for all Canadians. Swim strokes within the program are consistent with the Federation Internationale De Natation’s (FINA) requirements for swim programs. FINA is the International organization responsible for swim programs.
Pre-requisites: Parent & Tot = age only; recommended previous level for all Preschool, Swimmer and Adult Swimmer levels; Fitness Swimmer can be modified for various skill levels
Course length: 8-12 classes for all levels; recommended 30 min to 60 min classes, depending on the level in question (see current Aquatic Programmer’s Guide for specifics for each level)
Instructor books: Swim for Life Award Guide, Teaching Swim for Life manual, Canadian Lifesaving Manual and Instructor Notes
Award Recognition: Printable progress reports (cards) as well as optional seals (stickers) and/or crests (badges)