Alternate skill lesson 6
At chest-deep water, bathers should keep their feet together with their toes over the edge, grasp their knees tightly, tuck their chin into their chest/knees, roll into the water and stand up.
Alternate skill lesson 6a
One must move to a depth of 2 m (6.5 ft) or more, repeat the previous lesson, but come to the surface and tread water or swim back to the edge.
Alternate skill lesson 6b
Bathers should keep their toes over the edge, feet together, knees bent in a deep crouch, and arms placed overhead. On “Go,” they should quickly drop their arms to grasp their knees into a tight crunch or ball while jumping out and up, and tucking their chin—all in one quick fluid motion. Most of the rotation will occur in the water without incident. However, once in flight, should the head come back or tuck open up, chances are a back stinging water slap will occur. Instructors can suggest shirt or sweater protection to participants until this skill is mastered.
Skill session 7
Once bathers are proficient at headfirst entries (dives), instructors can encourage them to bring both their feet together and practise a more vigorous jump or ‘lift.’ In all the sessions, trainers must ensure the participant’s toes grip over the lip or edge.
Skill session 8 to 10
Instructors must encourage participants to attempt various techniques—from almost horizontal entry to a racing dive, or running shallow dive with head up crawl, as well as the vertical entry where divers should be able to touch the bottom with their hands placed overhead or steering upward method.
Pool operators must ensure instructors educate participants in the following order: demonstrate, explain, perform skill, evaluate, correct, explain, perform, correct, reward. Other learning progressions may even be practised. Water facilities with starting platforms and low diving boards can be used for the same progressions. Non-swimmers with personal flotation devices (PFDs) can use the platforms or boards as well. Aquatic facilities that have trained staff members and are well informed of the many techniques to enter pools safely will have happy patrons and smooth, uninterrupted operations.
Doug Paton is the owner/CEO of Aquatic Consultants Inc., and has been involved with multiple indoor and outdoor pool complexes over the past 50 years. He specializes in facility condition audits and reports, design, water treatment systems, staffing, supervision, and training. Paton was also the 1958 Maritime Open University diving champion. He can be reached via e-mail/phone/fax at 9056273133@sympatico.ca.
