Project

Goal

I CAN use safe strategies to help someone in difficulty in the water.
I KNOW how to communicate clearly and assist someone in distress.

Success criteria

Students alert an adult about a dangerous situation without abandoning the person in distress.
Students recognise danger and choose not to take risks or enter the water.
Students demonstrate empathetic communication with the person in distress and remain calm.
Students use the equipment effectively.

Environment/Space/Equipment

Swimming pool
Teacher (as the castaway) in the water near the first lane marker. Pupils at the poolside.
Floatation devices (noodles), non-floating objects, hoops, kickboards

Group management

Students are divided into groups of three, outside the water, at the poolside.
The teacher is in the water, playing the role of the “castaway”.

Time/Duration/Schedule

10 minutes - Initial part of the lesson

Pre-requisite

Description

The teacher, acting as the “castaway”, simulates being in distress, scared, and out of control.
Students, from the poolside, must observe, assess the risks, and make decisions.
 
Depending on their decisions and their consequences, the teacher should guide the students with questions such as:
Are we capable of solving the problem without an adult’s help?
How should we communicate with someone in panic?
What is the best equipment for the rescue?
What is the safest way to deliver the floating aid?
 
If the teacher’s intervention isn’t needed to steer the students towards the best decisions, they should praise their decision-making.
 
Throughout the activity, the teacher acts as a facilitator, using guided discovery to provoke reflection in students about their actions and decisions, always reinforcing risk management.