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'Teaching
Swimming and Water Safety'
[DEC. 13, 2000] “Teaching
Swimming And Water Safety: Learn Aquatics The Australian Way."
Contributors, John Harmer, et al, Human Kinetics, 2000, 169 pages.
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One
of the great experiences in parenting is teaching a child how to
swim. The new book "Teaching Swimming and Water Safety,"
by the Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water
Safety, is a wonderful guide to promote this shared experience.
The
book’s instructional approach is based on the AUSTSWIM method of
teaching swimming and water safety. According to the council
chairman Kirk Marks, "The manual has been designed to assist
course candidates to acquire the appropriate knowledge and skill
to become competent teachers of swimming and water safety."
The
book is divided into six chapters; these chapters cover virtually
all aspects of swimming technique and safety.
In
"Safety Essentials" the dangers associated with water
activities are discussed, including hypothermia, survival
procedures and avoiding objects in the water.
One
of the most important chapters, "Becoming Familiar with the
Water," offers information needed to introduce children and
beginning swimmers to the water, including equipment, entering the
water, movement in the water and submerging below the surface.
"Floating
and Movement Skills" continues the previous chapter's theme
and teaches the proper way to maintain buoyancy, propulsion
through the water, and different activities and games. The section
on propulsion is especially important; it is here that the basics
of swimming are explained. Propulsion using the arms and hands,
legs and feet, or directional swimming (forward, backwards and
sideways) is clearly illustrated.
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Once
propulsion is learned by the pupil, Chapter 4’s "Application
of Principles of Movement in Water" takes the basic application
of propelling oneself in the water and describes the proper methods
for breathing, floating and reducing resistance. Advanced propulsion
techniques include the backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and
sidestroke.
Once
the pupil is confident in the water, Chapter 5 introduces one the
most pleasurable water activities: diving. In "Introducing
Diving to Beginners" diving is described as a method of water
entry and an activity of fun. Aside from the proper execution, the
chapter contains valuable tips on the rules of safe diving and the
inherent dangers (such as the height of the entry, the depth of the
water and submerged objects).
The
concluding chapter, "Towards Efficient Stroke
Development," is particularly useful for those swimmers who are
ready for advanced training.
"Teaching
Swimming and Water Safety" is a non-technical source of
information on swimming. The book is a splendid teaching tool; its
arrangement makes it simple for anyone to teach swimming to children
and non-swimmers. Aside from its no-nonsense approach, the book’s
most valuable asset is the illustrations. There are pictures and
illustrations on virtually every page; these aids visually bring the
instructional text to life. One minor drawback is the lack of an
index; anyone looking for information on a particular technique or
rule of safety will have to browse through the different chapters.
That being said, "Teaching Swimming and Water Safety" is
highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn how to swim or
teach swimming to someone.
For
more information, visit the Public Library at 725 Pekin St. or call
217-732-8878.
[Richard
Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]
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