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(Instructor Required)

Satisfactorily pass the American Red Cross -Water Safety Aid or YMCA course in Lifesaving or its equivalent, or pass the following requirements:

The South Pacific Division has a variation that fits into the "equivalent" definition. SPD requires passing the Bronze Medallion Course for the basic Honor and the Bronze Cross for the advanced Honor. It is perfectly reasonable to apply the SPD requirement variation to anywhere in the world that uses the Bronze Medallion/Cross System.

In Canada (for example) the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses each require 20 hours of instruction. Some schools offer combination Bronze Medallion and Bronze Star programs over a few days (sometimes called a lifesaving camp).

Lifesaving is serious business that requires proper training that is usually only available through government approved schools. The training requires both wet and dry components. No one will consider you a life guard unless you pass (and are current on) approved training. For this reason we will not attempt to provide instructions to the specific requirements below. Go get proper training.

Many young people take Lifesaving courses and than obtain summer jobs as life guards. The skills learned will serve you well for life - and maybe save a life someday.

1. Have the Swimming Honor.

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2. Know the value of disrobing before making a swimming rescue. Practice disrobing on dry land in 20 seconds or less. Disrobe yourself of your shoes, socks, pants, belt, and shirt. Don't be alarmed-you are allowed a swimming suit underneath!

Wearing your normal clothes in a rescue situation is dangerous. Normal cotton clothes absorb lots of water. They will weigh you down and make it much harder for you to swim for yourself.

3. Know the value of avoiding contact with a victim. Know the tactics of leading and waiting. Know the value of using equipment in a rescue.

4. Learn to properly do the following non-swimming rescues:

a. Three different kinds of body reaching rescues

b. A wading rescue

c. Free-floating support rescue

d. Three different kinds of throwing assists

5. Know the points to be considered in the following when rescuing:

a. Condition of the victim

b. Condition of the rescuer

c. Condition of the environment

6. Surface dive in eight feet of water, recovering various objects three times and a ten-pound weight once.

7. Swim 100 yards (91.4 meters), using the lifesaving stroke.

8. Learn to properly do the following defenses:

a. Block

b. Block and carry

c. Block and turn

9. Learn to properly do the following releases and escapes:

a. Double-grip-on-one-wrist release

b. Escape from double grip on wrist

c. Front head-hold release

d. Escape from front head hold

e. Rear-head-hold release

f. Escape from rear head hold

g. Double drowning release

10. Learn to properly do the following assists:

a. Arm assist on front

b. Arm assist on back

c. Arm assist by two rescuers

d. Tired swimmer assist

11. Learn to properly do the following approaches:

a. Rear approach - armpit level-off

b. Rear approach - chin level-off

c. Rear approach with two-hand level-off

d. Front surface approach

e. Underwater approach

f. Approach by diving to rear of victim

12. Correctly approach 30 feet (9.1 meters) and correctly carry 30 feet (9.1 meters), using the following carries:

a. Cross-chest

b. Cross-chest control

c. Hair

d. Wrist

e. Shirt or collar

13. Complete a minimum of three hours of being instructed in cardiopulmonary resus­citation, or have the CPR Honor.

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References