SAFETY
25 yards
There are several ways to conduct a water comfort check, and the American Red Cross1 safety skills:
1Dress appropriately to participate in the water comfort check, wear a drysuit or wetsuit if needed for cold weather days.
2Select and put on a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
3 Step or jump into the water over your head. 4 Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute. 5 Swim 25 yards parallel to the dock, if possible. 6 Exit from the water.
Items to Consider When Conducting a Water Comfort Check
E It is your responsibility as the instructor to select a safe location for the Water Comfort Check. It can be performed in the body of water where you sail, off a dock, off a beach, or in a pool.
E Find out if your site requires that a lifeguard be on duty.
E Check for any safety hazards or submerged objects in the swim area and consider the water quality and temperature.
E Have flotation rescue equipment nearby and ready for use such as a throw ring, lifeguard rescue tube or can.
E As the instructor, you must be within rescue distance at all times during the swim check.
E Have one to two students in the water at a time, unless there are additional instructors to supervise.
E Consider the risks of stray electrical current in the water if Water Comfort Check if administered near the docks that have power on them.
Notes: Utilzing the American Red Cross’s “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go” will help you identify if a swimmer is in distress and provide guidance on appropriate action(s) to take.
If the student is 25 yards
unable to meet the water comfort check requirements, suggest a learn-to-swim program and discuss with the parent/ guardian if it is appropriate for the student to continue in the program.
and US Sailing recommend this sequence of critical water
1 American Red Cross [website],
https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/centennial, (accessed Feb 7, 2022) Table of Contents
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