By Legrand Antoine, Mekkaoui Léa, Quinmeuld Thomas & Potdevin François, ALFAC team, France
I CAN swim underwater
I FEEL my teammate with me
I KNOW my breathless limit to ensure my security
Be able to come back to the starting point after a round trip underwater together.
Be able to identify one’s breath-hold limit underwater
In the deep end, pupils have a swimming lane measuring 25 meters . A supervisor (pupil) is assigned to safety duties.
Duo start at the same time, two per lane, or even four if both ends of the pool are available. The teacher gives the starting signal and keeps a close watch on this underwater activity.
The exercise requires at least 3 attempts, with a minimum of 3 minutes' rest between each attempt.
To complete this exercise, pupils must be able to swim 7.5 meters underwater in a straight line.
The instructor explains the rules of the exercise, which consists of going as far as possible underwater together, reaching the point of no return, and returning on a single breath. He emphasizes that, if the turning point is not the same and if one of the student does not return to the starting point and comes out of the water before touching the wall, the duo have failed.
Key teaching points to support student learning:
Take a deep breath at the start
Use breaststroke underwater, with large arms movement
Look at your partner underwater using your peripheral vision.
Anticipate respiratory fatigue and do not wait until you are struggling to turn back.
Use progressive trials to identify the limit of the duo
