How to paddle in ways to offer assistance and support to open water swimmers.
- Introduction
- Explain the importance of being able to paddle to offer assistance to an open water swimmer.
- Demonstrate the proper paddling technique.
- Paddling Technique
- Explain the proper way to hold the paddle.
- Demonstrate the proper way to stroke the paddle.
- Assisting an Open Water Swimmer
- Explain what to do if you see an open water swimmer in distress.
- Demonstrate how to paddle to an open water swimmer.
- Explain how to help an open water swimmer back to shore.
- Safety
- Explain the importance of being safe when paddling to offer assistance to an open water swimmer.
- Demonstrate the proper way to wear a life jacket.
- Q&A
- Answer any questions that the students may have.
Here are some additional tips for paddling to offer assistance to an open water swimmer:
- Always wear a life jacket when paddling.
- Paddle slowly and carefully to avoid startling the swimmer.
- If you are not sure how to help the swimmer, call for help from a lifeguard or other trained professional.
- Never paddle directly towards a swimmer who is in distress. Instead, paddle around them and offer them your help from a safe distance.