Safe self-rescue and selecting appropriate actions during emergencies
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select the most appropriate action for a given emergency situation.
Key learning points
- Move: survival strokes and relaxed controlled breathing are used in emergencies.
- Think: using an energy efficient swimming stroke, alternating survival strokes and resting will help to conserve energy.
- Feel: confidence is needed when responding to challenging emergency situations.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How do you signal for help in an emergency in the water?
Q2.What position should be used to maintain body heat in a group?
Q3.What do you need to give each other in a group emergency in the water?
Q4.What is the best way to keep your head above the water?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does a red beach flag mean?
Q2.Which is the best action to use in an emergency situation?
Q3.What is an urgent, unexpected situation in the water known as?
Q4.What is it important to have when responding to emergency situations?
To help you plan your all 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...
To help you plan your all 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.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Swimming: strokes, distance and safe self rescue unit, dive into the full physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.