Brief Overview of American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Lesson material

Level 1 - (MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD) Enter and exit the water unassisted, open eyes underwater, bobbing, combined arm/leg action on front and back, front/back glides (two body lengths) and unsupported front/back float (5 seconds).

Level 2 - Jump from the deck into shoulder deep water, front float (10 seconds), back float (15 seconds), tread water (15 seconds), submerge completely and hold breath for 10 seconds, swim using leg and arm strokes (5 body lengths).

Level 3 - Jump into deep water, begin diving, tread water (1 minute), front crawl (15 yards), elementary backstroke (15 yards), survival float (30 seconds) and rotary breathing (15 times).

Level 4 - Standing dives, swim underwater (3-5 body lengths), tread water (2 minutes), front crawl and elementary backstroke (25 yards each), breaststroke, butterfly, and back crawl (15 yards each).

Level 5 - Shallow water dives, tuck and pike surface dives, front flip turns, front crawl and elementary backstroke (50 yards each), breaststroke, butterfly, and back crawl (25 yards each).

Level 6 - Fitness Swimmer: front crawl and elementary backstroke (100 yards each), breaststroke, butterfly, and back crawl (50 yards each), competitive turns, surface dives, object retrieval.

For information regarding our swim lesson programs, including more detailed descriptions of each level and the passing requirements, please view our Swim Lesson Level Descriptions (PDF).  For information about the classes we are now offering, please check the current edition of our quarterly Program Guide.