National Water Safety Programme Introduces New Open Water Module

SwimSafer Programme Further Enhanced with Re-Certification Courses and Water Safety Workshops for Instructors

Singapore, 25 July 2011 - Parents now have the opportunity to ensure their children gain the necessary water safety knowledge and survival skills in open water through a new module, SwimSafer Open Water, launched by the National Water Safety Council (NWSC) and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) today.

2. The SwimSafer Open Water, which is a complementary module under the national water safety programme SwimSafer, equips not only children, but also adults, with skills in open water safety, including proper swimming techniques in open water and the correct fitting of a lifejacket.

3. The module also educates participants on the unique risks and dangers present in open water as compared to swimming in a pool - uneven surfaces, river currents, sea undertow and the effects of changing weather - which pose challenges even for the most experienced water sports enthusiasts.

4. Dr Teo Ho Pin, Chairman of the NWSC and Mayor of North West District, who officiated the launch of SwimSafer Open Water at East Coast Park today, commented, "With an average of about 65% of drowning cases in Singapore occurring in open water over the last five years , SwimSafer Open Water is a highly recommended modular option for both children and adults to learn open water survival skills, especially water sports enthusiasts who spend a great deal of their time in open water."

5. Participants of SwimSafer Open Water will undergo practical lessons in an open water environment under the close guidance of trained instructors, who have completed the SwimSafer Open Water Instructor Course and have at least obtained a Bronze Cross award in life saving.

6. The SSC will continue to reach out to students engaged in water sports co-circular activities and partner grassroots organisations to encourage community involvement in SwimSafer Open Water to promote active and safe participation in water sports.

7. To date, more than 50,000 participants have benefitted from the SwimSafer programme since it was rolled out in July 2010, with 170 out of 178 primary schools taking part this year.

SwimSafer Instructor Development Programme

8. NWSC and SSC have also introduced the SwimSafer Instructor Development Programme to further improve the quality of the SwimSafer programme and its instructors. More than 600 SwimSafer instructors will undergo periodic re-certification courses and water safety workshops to reacquaint themselves with the principles of SwimSafer, and to review the programme's existing concepts and skills. The courses and workshops also serve as platforms for instructors to share best practices and techniques in instruction.

9. Commenting on the importance of the Programme, Mrs Cory Gambardella, Deputy Director of the SwimSafer Programme at the SSC said, "Our instructors are an important asset of the SwimSafer programme. Through the SwimSafer Instructor Development Programme, we aim to enhance their mastery of the concepts and skills of the SwimSafer programme, thereby further improving the quality of the SwimSafer programme to benefit all participants."

10. "The SwimSafer re-certification course offers a useful recap of the concepts and skills of the SwimSafer programme for instructors like me. It also provides me a great opportunity to explore with other fellow instructors new ways of teaching our students about water safety," said Mr Garett Lee, a SwimSafer instructor with 15 years of coaching experience.

11. For more information on SwimSafer, contact the SSC SwimSafer Division via email at sport_swimsafer@sport.gov.sg.

[1] Based on statistics from the Singapore Life Saving Society's Annual Reports (from 2006 to 2010) for cases heard in the Coroner's Court

Annex A - Six Progressive Stages of the SwimSafer Programme

Stage 1: Introduction to Water Skills
The objective is for your child to gain confidence and develop independence in the water, as well as learn general and deep-end water safety. Techniques taught include forward and backward movement, entering and exiting the pool safely, and introduction to personal water survival skills.

Stage 2: Fundamental Water Skills
General skills development will include unassisted step entry into water, sculling, feet-first surface dives, personal water safety skills and water safety awareness in an aquatic environment. Your child will be encouraged to achieve 25 metres of continuous swim.

Stage 3: Personal Water Survival and Stroke Developmental Skills
Principles of personal water survival and basic rescue skills will be taught. Your child will demonstrate proficiency in sculling, underwater skills, and the use of a Personal Floatation Device. Your child will be encouraged to achieve 50 metres of continuous swim.

Bronze: Personal Water Survival and Stroke Improvement Skills
Development of your child's stroke techniques will be a focus here, along with coordinated breathing in deep water while swimming 100 metres. Principles of water craft safety will be introduced, as well as continual work on rescue and personal water survival skills.

Silver: Intermediate Personal Water Survival and Stroke Refinement Skills
Fundamental of diving will be introduced. Development of rescue skills and personal water survival skills also continue at more advanced levels. Your child will be required to demonstrate efficient stroke techniques to complete the Silver stage before progressing to the Gold stage.

Gold: Advanced Personal Water Survival and Swimming Skills Proficiency
Your child will be required to perform strokes with greater ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over 400 metres. Rescue skills and water safety knowledge will focus on lifesaving readiness. Standing dive and advanced personal water survival skills will continue to be taught.

Annex B - Curriculum Outline of SwimSafer Open Water Module

Entry and Exit
Performing wade-in entry

Scull and Body Orientation
Treading water for 3 minutes while signalling for help Demonstrating HELP position with Personal Flotation Device

Underwater Skills
Swimming a distance of 3m underwater

Movement/Strokes
Swimming 200m continuously using front crawl with heads up, breaststroke, survival backstroke and sidestroke Putting on Personal Flotation Device, entering water safely, swimming 100m with chosen swim stroke, exiting water safely and removing Personal Flotation Device

Survival Skills
Performing various self-preservation skills in a continuous sequence while dressed in swimwear, long sleeve shirt and long pants

Rescue Skills
Performing an accompanied rescue of a person in distress 20m from safety by using a buoyant aid

Water Safety Knowledge
Answering theoretical questions on the open water environment, marine animals, and safety concerns and issue

Annex C - At a Glance: Comparison of SwimSafer Programme and SwimSafer Open Water Module

About SwimSafer
SwimSafer is a new national water safety programme initiated by the National Water Safety Council, in collaboration with the Singapore Sports Council. The six-stage progressive programme will help children of all ages and abilities develop water safety and swimming skills at their own pace through a positive, fun learning experience. SwimSafer is an improvement of the existing National Survival Swimming Award (NASSA) and Learn-To-Swim (LTS) Programme.
Have Fun, Swim Safe.

About the National Water Safety Council, Singapore
The National Water Safety Council, Singapore (NWSC) was appointed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) in 2007 to oversee water safety matters in Singapore. Helmed by Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West Community Development Council and Honorary Advisor to the Singapore Life Saving Society, the NWSC is the national coordinating body in driving and sustaining initiatives overseeing water safety. The Council, appointed on a two-year term, comprises members from the people, private and public sectors. Prior to the SwimSafer, the NWSC had collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Singapore Sports Council to introduce the Learn-To-Swim Programme for primary school students. The Council recently launched the Code of Practice for the Design and Management of Aquatic Facilities with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to promote safe water facilities for the public.