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Lesson 6 of 6
  • All years

Safe self-rescue and selecting appropriate actions during emergencies

I can select the most appropriate action for a given emergency situation.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • All years

Safe self-rescue and selecting appropriate actions during emergencies

I can select the most appropriate action for a given emergency situation.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: survival strokes and relaxed controlled breathing are used in emergencies.
  2. Think: using an energy efficient swimming stroke, alternating survival strokes and resting will help to conserve energy.
  3. Feel: confidence is needed when responding to challenging emergency situations.
  4. Connect: collaboration is needed when working as a group in an emergency situation.

Keywords

  • Emergency situation - an urgent unexpected in, on or near water situation which poses risk

  • Appropriate action - help to address a problem in, on or near water and prevent harm

  • Danger - a cause of harm

Common misconception

Pupils think that swimming is the best action in an emergency situation.

Floating, treading water and heat retaining positions are often the best action in an emergency situation.


To help you plan your all years physical education lesson on: Safe self-rescue and selecting appropriate actions during emergencies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep calm, lie on the back in a star with the nose and mouth clear of the water to regulate breathing, then tread water to calmly access the situation.
Teacher tip

Equipment

2 pieces of floating equipment per pupil, light clothing

Content guidance

  • Additional qualification required
  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How do you signal for help in an emergency in the water?

Correct answer: raise arm
wave
dance

Q2.
What position should be used to maintain body heat in a group?

line
Correct answer: huddle
star float

Q3.
What do you need to give each other in a group emergency in the water?

morals
advice
Correct answer: moral support

Q4.
What is the best way to keep your head above the water?

waving
front crawl
Correct answer: treading water

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What does a red beach flag mean?

Correct answer: danger, no swimming
safe to swim
swim with care

Q2.
Which is the best action to use in an emergency situation?

Correct answer: floating
artistic swimming
swimming

Q3.
What is an urgent, unexpected situation in the water known as?

risk
Correct answer: emergency
danger

Q4.
What is it important to have when responding to emergency situations?

time
clothing
Correct answer: confidence