Membership

survival skills week

what happens?

During July, each year, we dedicate a week to teaching our pupils personal survival skills so they can be better equipped for their summer holidays. Being able to cope in unexpected situations such as when being fully clothed and falling into water is very important, and can save a life.

The lesson involves swimming whilst wearing clothes and shoes, so pupils should bring the following:

  • Long sleeve tops
  • Pyjama bottoms or light trousers
  • Socks
  • A pair of clean shoes (that can get wet!) if you can

Some skills they will learn:

  • How to keep as warm as possible in cold water
  • Should a friend or sibling fall into water - the correct way to help them to safety while staying safe too
  • How to call for help
  • Swimming without goggles – especially if swimmers always wear goggles
  • Identifying and using debris in the water to assist those in trouble to float
  • Becoming accustomed to what it feels like to swim with clothes on
  • We have many more hints and tips to share

We try to run our Survival Skills Week in conjunction with the RLSS Drowning Prevention Week which similarly is aimed at identifying and learning necessary life-saving skills. We hope you find this week both beneficial and enjoyable!

  • Laura Sevenus was a South African national competitive swimmer in the 60’s. She was one of five South Africans chosen to tour with the American Water Follies as a synchronized swimmer, thus changing her amateur status.

    In 1964, her professional career began when she assisted the South African team coach training beginners, and later established her first private swim school. Her understanding of parent and children’s needs led to the creation of a purpose-designed facility for teaching swimming in Cape Town, this is where she developed what is now the Sevenus Swimming Method®.

    She has contributed her evolving insight and expertise to various working groups in South Africa, Sweden, Germany and the UK and has been instrumental in defining swim teaching standards in South Africa. She is also a certified aquarobics instructor and Watsu® practitioner.