Water confidence class

• Perform front paddle for 5 metres wearing buoyancy aids
• Perform back paddle for 5 metres wearing buoyancy aids
• Enter the pool safely and unassisted, using the ladder
• Return to the standing position from a star float on the front using a noodle
• Return to the standing position from a star float on the back using a noodle
• Blow bubbles in the water
• Exit the pool safely and unassisted

Non-swimmers

NPA 1

NPA 2

• Perform a sit and swivel entry
• Push and glide on the front and swim 2 metres front crawl
• Push and glide on the back and swim 2 metres back crawl
• Swim front paddle for 5 metres
• Swim back paddle for 5 metres
• Full submersion beneath the surface
• Hold the rail and breathe rhythmically for 6 cycles
• Scull headfirst for 3 metres
• Identify objects underwater
• Perform a mushroom float

Beginner swimmers

NPA 3

NPA 4

• Answer 2 water safety questions
• Perform 2 different types of entries and tread water for 15 seconds each time; performed in chest deep water
• Swim 25 metres back crawl
• Swim 25 metres front crawl
• Swim 10 metres holding a float under each arm using life saving backstroke leg kick
• Swim 5 metres butterfly
• Push and glide on the surface, pike sharply and assume a handstand with both hands on the bottom of the pool; perform in chest deep water
• Perform a horizontal float and hold for 5 seconds, roll onto the front and hold for 5 seconds, roll to the original back float position and hold for 5 seconds

Improver swimmers

NPA 5

NPA 6

• Be rescued by catching a rope
• Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds whilst wearing a T-shirt.  Remove T-shirt and climb out unassisted.
• Perform a head first and a feet first surface dive
• Scull feet first for 10 metres and head first for 10 metres
• Swim 50 metres back crawl incorporating a correct finish & touch turns
• Swim 25 metres front crawl incorporating a correct finish & touch turns
• Swim 25 metres breatstroke incorporating a correct finish
• Swim 5 metres butterfly
• Crouch; spring up, pike and glide to the bottom of the pool, place both hands on the bottom and assume a handstand

Advanced swimmers

NPA 7

NPA 8

NPA 9

NPA 10

• Throw a rope over 5 metres
• Dive in, swim 25 metres, tread water for 1 minute, tread water for 1 minute waving one hand, surface dive, swim 5 metres underwater, surface and remove clothing
• Swim 1500 metres front crawl, incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish
• Swim 1000 metres back crawl incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish
• Swim 50 metres breaststroke incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish
• Swim 25 metres butterfly
• Swim 4x2 length individual medley incorporating the appropriate transition procedure at the end of each stroke
• Perform a 15m underwater butterfly kick or back or front in a streamlined position
• Perform a continuous 100m IM kick without using a float
• Perform a competitive turn in all 4 major strokes
• Perform a competitive start in all 4 major strokes

• Swim 400m continuously in clothing (long sleeved top and trousers) using 3 different strokes. Each stroke must be performed continuously for a minimum of 100m (Lifesaving Backstroke, Sidestroke, Breaststroke or Front Crawl), in less than 15 minutes. Tread water for 2 minutes before removing additional clothing then continue to swim sidestroke for 50m to a point of support in deep water. Climb out of deep water unaided.
• Swim 20m head up Front Crawl in less than 25 seconds to an unconscious casualty. Turn the casualty over then perform a swim and tow for 20m using the Extended Arm or Chin Tow. Shout for help. Assess for normal breathing. Commence Supported Rescue Breathing whilst waiting for help (for approximately 1 minute). With help then on the scene place the casualty in the Support Position ready to land the casualty. STOP before any lifts are attempted. Explain what actions you would then take.
• Swim 20m to an unconscious casualty. Surface dive and swim a least 5m underwater to recover an object from 1m depth of water. At the surface swop the object for an unconscious casualty. Turn the casualty over then perform a swim and tow for 20m using Cross Chest Tow to shallow water. Shout for help. A time of 2 minutes will be allowed from the start of the test to the point at which both candidate and casualty are in a position of firm support.
• Using appropriate hand signals from land direct another swimmer to a point where an unconscious casualty has disappeared from site in deep water. The pupil should be able to understand signals; attract attention, move to the left, move to the right, go further out, stay where you are, message understood, investigate object in water and return to shore.
• Complete the Rookie Life Support Award