Swimming II Honor

Recreational Activities

Requirements

1. Have the Swimming I Honor.

   Answer: It is a prerequisite — before doing Swimming II you must have already earned the Swimming I Specialty. — Swimming II continues the learning from Swimming I, which is why the first one comes before.

2. Review and expand on the topic "water safety rules".

   Answer: Safety rules: 1) Never get into the water alone, always with an adult nearby. 2) Don't run near the pool, the floor gets slippery. 3) Don't push or play at dunking your friends. 4) Only go into the deep part if you know how to swim and with permission. 5) Wait a little after eating before swimming. 6) Get out of the water if you feel cold, tired, or there is thunder/lightning. — Following the safety rules avoids accidents and keeps everyone protected in the water.

3. Dive into the water and pick up two objects from the bottom of the shallowest part of the pool.

   Answer: How to do it (with an adult nearby): 1) Stay in the shallow part, where you can touch the bottom. 2) Ask an adult to place two objects that sink (like rings) on the bottom. 3) Take a deep breath, crouch down, and dip your head looking downward. 4) Pick up one object at a time with your hands and come up to breathe. 5) Repeat until you pick up both. — Picking up objects from the bottom helps you lose the fear of opening your eyes and diving safely.

4. Hold your breath underwater in the shallow part of the pool.

   Answer: How to do it (with an adult nearby): 1) Stay in the shallow part, standing up, where you can touch the bottom. 2) Take a deep breath, filling your chest well with air. 3) Close your mouth, crouch down, and put your face into the water. 4) Count slowly (1, 2, 3...) holding the air, without letting it out through your mouth. 5) Come up and let the air out very slowly. Gradually increase the time little by little. — Learning to hold your breath gives confidence and is the foundation for swimming and diving.

5. Move through the water while "supported" on a ball.

   Answer: How to do it (with an adult nearby): 1) Get a big ball (a beach ball or a foam one) that floats well. 2) In the shallow part, hold the ball in front of your body with both arms. 3) Stretch out in the water resting your chest on the ball. 4) Kick your legs back and forth (leg kick) to move. 5) Go from one point to another always near the adult. — The ball works as a support that floats and helps you feel what it's like to move through the water.

6. Mention three things to do to help someone who is drowning.

   Answer: Three things to help: 1) Shout for help and call an adult or lifeguard right away. 2) Do NOT jump into the water after the person (you could drown too). 3) Reach out something for the person to grab, like a branch, a towel, an oar, or throw a float/ball that floats, keeping yourself steady at the edge. — Children help better by calling adults and reaching out something, without getting into the water and putting themselves at risk.

7. Swim three lengths of the pool, using three different swimming strokes.

   Answer: How to do it (with an adult nearby): 1) Choose three swimming strokes, for example: doggy paddle, breaststroke, and backstroke. 2) Swim one stretch of the pool with the first stroke. 3) Rest and swim another stretch with the second stroke. 4) Rest and swim the third stretch with the third stroke. Go at your own pace, always with someone watching. — Using different strokes shows that you have learned more than one way to move through the water.

8. Watch a video or read a book about swimming.

   Answer: How to do it: 1) With an adult's help, choose a video or a children's book about swimming. 2) Watch or read carefully, observing the swimmers' movements and the safety tips. 3) Afterward, tell your leader one new thing you learned. — Watching or reading about swimming helps you better understand the strokes and the importance of safety.