that the Royal Life Saving Society has successfully delivered as a Nationally

Accredited Swimming and Water Safety Program. This program has been educating

5-14 year olds for over 20 years. Since 1982 it is estimated that over 10 million

Australians have participated in the Swim and Survive program. It aims to reduce the

number of drowning deaths by ensuring that children have a sound knowledge of

safety when in, on and around the water, including skills in swimming, personal

survival and basic rescue. Since programs like Swim and Survive were introduced,

there has been a 75% reduction in drowning in the 5-14 years age group.

Children all over Australia attend Swim and Survive lessons through schools,

commercial swim schools, and government departments. The program aligns itself

with the National Water Safety Framework and School Curriculum ensuring that

competencies are matched with a child’s development. Swim and Survive allows for

flexible delivery and can be structured as a weekly term program or as intensive

holiday programs.

Nationally, Swim and Survive is continually developing and improving to ensure that

the program is kept up to date according to aquatic recommendations. Therefore

after a review in 2009 changes were introduced which include improved skill

competencies, the linking of the award structure to promote learning throughout

children’s key life stages and increase quality resources to support the program. The

new Swim and Survive encompasses three key programs:

1. Swim and Survive ‘Wonder’ – 6 months to 3 years

2. Swim and Survive ‘Courage’ – 3 years to 5 years

3. Swim and Survive ‘Active’ – 5 years to 14 years (Love 2 Swim)

These key programs are linked to ensure a continuity of skills through a child’s key

life stages.

Swim and Survive (Love 2 Swim) is well supported with promotional resources,

reward mechanisms such as certificates, teacher’s resource pack and instructor