Level 4—Stroke Improvement Develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills. • Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions • Swim under water • Feet first surface dive • Survival swimming • Front crawl and backstroke open turns • Tread water using 2 different kicks • Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly • Flutter and dolphin kicks on back Pass to next level requirements: Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills Successfully complete the following exit skills assessment:  Perform a feet first entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards. Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim back crawl for 15 yards   

Level 5—Stroke Refinement Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes. • Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke • Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely • Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming • Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly • Sculling Pass to next level requirements: Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills Successfully complete the following exit skills assessment: Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl for 50 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards. Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim back crawl for 25 yards.    

Level 6—Swimming and Skill Proficiency Refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed to focus on preparing participants for more advanced activities, such as competitive swimming or diving.  

Level 1—Introduction to Water Skills Helps participants feel comfortable in the water and begin developing positive attitudes, good swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water • Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side • Blow bubbles through mouth and nose • Bobbing • Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects • Front and back glides and floats • Recover to vertical position • Roll from front to back and back to front • Tread water using arm and hand actions • Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back • Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back • Combined arm and leg actions on front and back  Pass to next level requirements: Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills Successfully complete the following exit skills assessment: Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 3 times then safely exit the water. (Participants can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”) Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position. (This part of the assessment can be performed with support.)    

Level 2—Fundamental Aquatic Skills Gives participants success with fundamental skills like learning how to float without support and to recover to a vertical position • Enter and exit water by stepping or jumping from the side • Fully submerge and hold breath • Bobbing • Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects • Front, jellyfish and tuck floats • Front and back glides and floats • Recover to vertical position • Roll from front to back and back to front • Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back • Tread water using arm and leg actions • Combined arm and leg actions on front and back • Finning arm action Pass to next level requirements: Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills Successfully complete the following exit skills assessment: Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position. Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position.  Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to the front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. (You can assist the participant when taking a breath.)   

Level 3—Stroke Development Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water. • Enter water by jumping from the side • Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions • Bobbing while moving toward safety • Rotary breathing • Survival float • Back float • Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back • Tread water • Flutter, scissor, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front • Front crawl and elementary backstroke Pass to next level requirements: Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, including in-water skills Successfully complete the following exit skills assessment:  Jump into deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.