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National Tour Guide Training Program

Lesson Plan

Chapter 6: Basic Swimming, Snorkeling, Water Safety/Survival Skills, Non-Swimming

Rescue, and Boating Safety

Mark Castillo
November, 2008

Day 1: Unit 1, Basic Swimming Skills

Introduction:– Lecture, directed discussion

 Introduce myself as a mentor; indicate my experience in subject matter (swimming, water

safety/survival skills, non-swimming rescue, and boating safety)

 Provide overview of course

 Tell the group about the rules of courtesy in the class, such as switching cell phones to the
quiet mode, no talking when another has the floor.

 Discuss the importance of developing their swimming skills and the recreational
opportunities available for swimming and snorkeling in Belize. Advanced swimmers can
improve their skills and help beginning swimmers learn the skills.

 Mention our responsibility as tour guide for the safety of our guests and discuss instances
of drowning in Belize. Drowning tragedies bring enormous grief and sadness, and serve as
a reminder of the respect that we should have for the water and the importance of being
able to swim and knowing how to survive in the water.

 Ask the group to share their experiences and personal stories about their swimming and
snorkeling experiences, any friends or family who have drowned or had a near-drowning
experience.

 Ask participants to indicate, on a form passed around, their skill level in basic swimming,
snorkeling, water safety/survival and non-swimming rescue skills. Also pass around class
attendance sheet with phone numbers indicated.
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Adjusting to the water environment:– Lecture

 Tell group about the importance for swimmers to become comfortable in water by
adjusting gradually to factors such as the temperature, depth, wave action or current,
clarity, or turbidity of the water. Also important to enter the water using the method best
suited to the person and body of water. Relate story of guy who became paralyzed
because he dove into shallow water.

 Tell importance of gaining control over your actions in the water by submerging your
entire body, keeping your eyes open underwater, breath control, and floating.

1. Submerging the entire body

 Submerging your entire body allows you to be more streamlined and use your buoyancy
more effectively.

 If your head is lifted out of the water you will exert more effort in swimming and the rest
of your body will sink lower in the water.

2. Opening the eyes underwater

 Important to be able to see where you’re going while in the water. When you swim
properly you will get water in your eyes.

 Eye irritation should be relieved by blinking rather than rubbing.

3. Rhythmic breathing

 This skill gives the swimmer breath control

 Rhythmic breathing is done slowly and continuously as in normal breathing

 Inhale through your mouth; exhale underwater through your nose (prevents water from
going up your nose)

 Two positions in which rhythmic breathing is learnt:

o With the head in a vertical position, called “bobbing”
o With the head in a horizontal position, called rotary breathing

4. Floating
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 Floating is defined as being borne up or suspended in a liquid (such as water) or a gas

(such as air) Do birds float in the air?

 Comfortable floating requires the ability to maintain balance and remain stable in the
floating position.

 Two main forces act on a floating object: buoyancy and gravity

o Gravity is the force that acts on all matter by pulling it down towards the center of
the Earth

o Buoyancy acts against gravity—it is an upward force that pushes or lifts matter up
in a liquid or gas.

 Three characteristics of a person’s body influence the ability to float:

o Body type – muscular body, lean body, fat body

o Lung capacity – amount of air a person is able to take in and hold in the lungs

o Body position – distribution of body weight in the water

 Body Type

In our bodies there are many types of tissues, but three in particular determine how
buoyant your body will be:

1. Bone – denser than water; sinks

2. Muscle – denser than water; sinks

3. Fat – less dense than water; floats

Generally, women have a higher proportion of body fat to muscle as well as lighter bones
than men. They usually find it easier to float.

Men usually have thicker and heavier bones, more muscle, and a lower % of body fat
than women. We often find it harder to float, especially when in a horizontal position,
because our legs tend to sink.

 Lung Capacity (Show graphic on ppt)

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Our lungs hold air in our chest cavity. By holding our breath we can increase out chest
volume without adding to our weight. When our lungs are filled with air we can float more
easily.

 Body Position (Show graphic on ppt)

You can become more buoyant by spreading your body weight across the water surface.
Stretch out your arms and legs into an “X” position (show graphic) to increase your
buoyancy.

Since we float IN the water and not ON the water, keeping your body weight low
increases your buoyancy.

You can take a buoyancy test (show graphic) to find out if you’re a floater or a sinker by
getting into a tight tuck position in the water, take a deep breath and hold it, then
submerge your head. (Display chart)

 Balance and Stability

Balance and stability are affected by your body’s:

1. Centre of gravity, which moves every time you change your position

2. Centre of buoyancy, usually located in your chest region, and which also moves

Show graphic

1) If the centre of gravity is located directly below the centre of buoyancy, your body
will float and be stable.

2) If the centre of gravity is located directly above the centre of buoyancy, your body
will float, but will be unstable.

3) If the centres are not aligned, your body will roll or wobble until they are aligned.

Show movie clips of floating

 When floating, it is important to relax and allow your centre of gravity to align with your
centre of buoyancy. That way you will stabilize.

1) Start low in the water

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2) Take a big breath and hold it

3) Relax

4) Slowly begin to float

 There are 3 basic float positions:

1. Front float, prone position

a) Crouch low in the water with your chin at the surface

b) Take a deep breath

c) Lean forward and put your face in the water

d) Look at the bottom, with your hands and legs hanging loosely

e) Let the water move your feet upwards

f) If you’re negatively buoyant, spread out your arms and legs as your feet come off
the bottom

Show diagram of front float, prone position

2. Front float, tucked position (Jelly-fish float)

a) Take a deep breath and hold it

b) Submerge and bring your legs up to your chest

c) Tuck your body into a tight ball by wrapping your arms around your legs

d) As you relax, you will stabilize into a face-down jelly-fish float.

Show diagram of jelly-fish float

3. Back float, prone or vertical position

a) Crouch with your chin at the surface and shoulders underwater

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b) Take a deep breath and lean backward, arching your back

c) Put your head backwards in the water so that your ears are underwater

d) Stretch out and relax

e) Let your arms and legs hang loosely at your sides so you’re balanced

f) Allow your feet to lift off the bottom

g) If you’re negatively buoyant, spread out your arms and legs as your feet come off
the bottom (Show diagram of back float)

Moving in the Water

 Propulsion and Resistance

o Movement results from a force being applied to an object at rest.

o The force can be either a push or a pull

o Inertia is the tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion, or an object

at rest to remain at rest, unless acted upon by a force.

o The force applied to move an object must be greater than the resistance of the
object.

o As you swim your movement is affected by the forces of propulsion and

resistance

o Propulsion moves you through the water, while resistance holds you back

 Propulsion

1. Newton’s third law of motion, the law of action-reaction, states that for every
action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

2. When you swim you must push or pull water in the opposite direction in which
you’re going.

 When you push water down, your body goes up

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 When you push water up, your body moves down

 When you push water forward, your body moves backward

 When you push water backward, your body moves forward

 Resistance

1. Newton’s First Law of Motion, Inertia, states that a body in motion tends to stay in
motion and a body at rest wants to stay at rest.

2. In order to swim you have to exert a force strong enough to overcome the
resistance of your motionless body.

3. To keep moving you need to reduce the amount of resistance against your moving
body.

4. It is important to reduce resistance by keeping your body in a long, narrow,

streamlined position. (rockets, racing cars, otters)

5. A spread-eagled position presents a large cross-sectional area that increases

resistance and drag, therefore causing you to slow down or stop.

6. When your body is in a streamlined position you don’t require as much effort to
swim and you don’t get tired so quickly.

Show diagrams pg.333

Break

Lecture, directed discussion

Moving on the Surface

 Gliding is moving across the surface of the water in either a front or back float.

1) Your body should be in a streamlined position.

2) You can either hold your arms against your sides (back float) or extend them out in
front of you (front float).

3) Your legs are fully extended.

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 Front glide

1) Crouch low in the water

2) Take a deep breath and extend your arms out in front

3) Put your face in the water

4) Push off the side or bottom slowly and assume a front prone floating position

Show illustration (front glide)

 Back glide
1) Crouch with the chin at the surface and shoulders underwater

2) Gently lean backward, arching your back

3) Put your head in the water with your ears under water

4) Look straight up

5) Place your arms alongside your body or extend them behind your head

6) Take a deep breath and push off the side or bottom and assume a back float
position

Show graphic (back glide)

Propulsion

 Propelling with legs – most beginning swimmers find it easier to move through the water
by using their legs because they’re stronger than arms. Three kicks are important to learn:
o Flutter kick
o Scissors kick
o Frog kick

 All three kicks can be used with glides to move smoothly through the water

1) Flutter kick

a. Use this kick in either a front or back glide

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b. Stretch your legs straight back and point your toes away from your body

c. Kick your legs up and down past each other

d. Kick shallow and continuously, with movement starting at your hips

e. In a back glide, your toes just break the surface of the water, making a
small splash

f. In a front glide, you heels just break the surface, making a small splash

Show graphic diagrams and movie clip on flutter kick

2) Scissors kick

a. A very relaxing kick performed while you are on your side with your head on
top of the water (Show graphic)

b. Extend your legs and keep them together while gliding

c. Pull your heels up toward your buttocks, bending knees and hips (Show
graphic)

d. Separate legs – one leg goes forward and one leg goes backward

e. Flex the foot of your forward leg as if to take a step

f. Point the toes of the backward leg

g. Whip your legs together to squeeze water rearward while extending them
and bringing them back together (Show graphic)

h. Keep your legs extended and together while you glide (Show graphic)
(Show video clip)

3) Frog kick

a. This kick gives you a strong push through the water and can be done with
both a front and back glide.

b. Draw your heels toward your buttocks, keeping them and your knees fairly
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close together (Show graphic)

c. Spread your knees about shoulder-width apart and flex feet like you’re going
to take a step, as in scissor kick (Show graphic)

d. Push the water back and bring them together through a semi-circular
pattern

e. Extend your legs near the surface and glide (Show graphic)

f. Keep your feet near the surface and accelerate throughout the kick. Move
both of your legs at the same time and in a symmetrical manner

4) Whip Kick
a. Used with a back glide, the whip kick gives you a strong push through the
water.

b. Drop your heels down and bend your legs straight down (Show graphic)

c. Spread your legs until your knees are about shoulder width apart, with your
feet dorsi-flexed

d. Trace a semi-circle with your feet while whipping your legs together (Show
graphic)

e. Straighten your legs, point your toes, and glide (Show graphic)
Break

Lecture, directed discussion

 Propelling with Arms

We saw how different ways of kicking our legs propels us through the water. Now
we’ll learn 5 arm movements, called strokes

1. Sculling – used to support your body, move your feet first, and keep your

body stationary while you’re in a back, front, or vertical float position

a) You only use your hands to push water.

b) Place your hands by your side with your palms facing your feet and
your fingers closed
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c) Hyperextend your wrists, but keep them flexible (Show graphic)

c) Sweep your palms outwards (little finger up), then inwards (thumb up),
keeping them at about a 45 degree angle and making a figure 8

e) Move your hands in a simultaneous and symmetrical manner (Show

graphic)

2. Finning – used to move head first through the water, using only your hands

a) It is performed while your body is in a streamlined back float position

b) Place your hands beside your hips with your fingers together (Show
graphic)

c) Bend your elbows and bring your arms to your ribs, keeping your hands
close to your body (Show graphic)

d) Point your hands and fingers outward, palms facing your feet, and push
water towards your feet (Show graphic)

e) Your arms move at the same time and symmetrically (push with the same
force)

 Swimming Strokes – a combination of arm and leg movements, with correct

breathing techniques, which result in smooth movement through the water.

1) Front Crawl Stroke – used to move quickly through the water while
you’re in a front float position. Your head is cradled in the water, while you
are doing the flutter kick and your arms alternately pull you ahead. Your
body rolls slightly to each side as your arms reach to pull water.

a) Raise one arm out of the water, with your elbow bent and held
high, and reach forward with your hand flat and fingers extended

b) Put your hand into the water, fingers first and your thumb lined up
with your armpit. (Show graphic)

c) Slice your hand through the water until your arm is nearly fully
extended (Show graphic)
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d) Pull your hand under your body with your elbow kept higher than
your hand

e) Push your hand back towards your thigh until it is nearly fully
extended

f) Lift your arm out of the water, elbow first and held high with your
arm relaxed (Show graphic)

g) Your arms alternate in doing this stroke while you flutter kick and
rotary breathe. The front crawl is the fastest swimming stroke.
(Show graphic)

2) Sidestroke – A very relaxing stroke that allows you to keep your head
turned so that you can breathe as often as you like. This is a gliding stroke
that allows a brief rest between each stroke.

a) You turn your body so that you’re in a streamlined side glide with

b) one arm extended forward (the leading arm) and the other (trailing
arm) held alongside your body.

c) Move your trailing arm, with elbow bent, up your body to just under
your chin

d) Reach with your hand toward your opposite shoulder

e) Pull your leading arm, elbow bent, backward to your shoulder, then
push water with your hand downward toward your feet (Show
graphic)

f) Your head will rise slightly, allowing you to breathe in

g) Your hands meet just under your chin (Show graphic)

h) Slide your leading arm back up to the glide position (exhale as your
head dips back into the water)

i) Push water toward your feet with your trailing arm (Show graphic)

j) Your arms move at the same time and symmetrically (one pulling the
body forward and the other pushing water backward
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k) The sidestroke is a combination of these arm movements, the

scissors kick, and rhythmic breathing. It is best for swimming in calm
water.

l) It is a quiet stroke because your leg and arm movements are done
under the water’s surface (Show graphic)

3) Breaststroke – a very powerful swimming stroke that propels you quickly

in short, rapid bursts

a) Position your body in a front glide position with your arms and legs
fully extended and your head in the water to your hairline

b) Turn your palms diagonally outward (Show graphic)

c) Bend your elbows, pull your hands downward and slightly outward and
exhale

d) Keep your elbows high until your hands are in line with your shoulders
(Show graphics)

e) Make a vigorous inward circular motion with your hands, making a

heart-shaped pattern; tilt your head up and inhale (Show graphics)

f) Bend your elbows and bring your hands in front of your chin (Show
graphic)

g) These arm movements are combined and coordinated with a modified

frog kick and rhythmic breathing

h) The breaststroke is good for swimming in rough, choppy water

4) Elementary Backstroke – useful to you when you’re tired of swimming

since it allows you to swim with your face completely out of the water so
you can breathe normally. It’s a good stoke for rough or choppy water

a) Go into a back float position, maintaining a horizontal, streamlined

back glide with your arms along your sides

b) Slide your arms up along your body, bending your elbows and pointing
them towards your shoulders (Show graphic)
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c) Reach your arms outward with your fingers leading and close to your
ears when your arms are even with or slightly beyond your shoulders
(Show graphic)

d) With your palms facing your feet and just below the surface, pull and
then push water toward your feet

e) As your arms work together and symmetrically, use the whip kick
(Show graphic)

f) Discuss advanced backstroke and show graphics

Break

Lecture, directed discussion

 Swimming Underwater

1. Surface dives – used to submerge quickly, especially while you’re snorkeling

and you want to get a closer look at something underwater, retrieve an object,
swim under something in your path, or to avoid potential danger

a. Before diving, it is important to make sure that the water is at least 8 feet
deep so you don’t injure your hands or feet on the bottom

b. I’ll cover three types of surface dive: pike, tuck, and feet first

1) Pike (type of head-first surface dive)

a) While swimming with the front crawl or breaststroke, take a large

breath and hold it (Show graphic)

b) Pull back with both your arms, making a wide sweep until they are
at your sides

c) Bend at your waist and thrust your head downward to a vertical

position

d) Press your arms downward against the water and at the same time
lift both of your legs (straight, toes pointed) up above the surface of
the water, as high as possible
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e) Stop pressing your arms downward when they are pointing straight
down; put your legs together tightly so you’re streamlined

f) Stretch your body downward so the weight of your legs drives you
downward

g) Once your body is completely submerged, pull with both arms to go

deeper or level off

2) Tuck (type of head-first surface dive)

a) The tuck differs from the pike in that your legs are not straight when
you lift them out of the water. Instead, they are tucked up to your
chest before you lift them out. (Show graphic)

b) While swimming with the front crawl or breaststroke, take a large

breath and hold it

c) Sweep your arms outward and back to your sides (turn palms down)

d) Bend your waist sharply to 90° and thrust your head downward

e) Press downward with your arms and quickly tuck your knees up to
your chest

f) Thrust your legs vertically upward, point your toes, and keep your
legs tightly together so you’re streamlined

g) To avoid rolling over, stop pressing your arms downward once your
legs are up

h) Stretch your body downward so the weight of your legs drives you
downward

i) Once your body is completely submerged, pull with both arms to go

deeper or level off

3) Feet-first surface dive – you start out in a vertical, upright position with
your chin at the water level (Show graphic)

a) Position your legs to make a scissors kick and spread your arms out
to the side at the water surface
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b) Lift your body vertically out of the water by making a powerful

scissors kick and pressing downward with your arms at the same
time

c) Hold your arms tightly alongside your body, hold your legs straight
(tightly together), and point your toes as your body lifts

d) Sweep your arms upward alongside your body to assist your descent
– exhale slightly through your nose to keep the water out

e) Tuck your body to level off from a vertical to horizontal position for
underwater swimming

2. Equalizing pressure in your ears

a. As you descend in the water the pressure in the air spaces in your ears is
less than the pressure surrounding you in the water. The deeper you go the
larger the difference in pressure. (When you take an airplane flight you can
equalize your ear pressure by yawning.)

b. To avoid discomfort or pain, you need to equalize the pressure inside your
ears with the pressure outside. Three techniques are used:

1) Perform a swallowing action while wiggling your jaw from side to side

2) Hold your nose to keep air from escaping and gently blow through it
while keeping your mouth closed.

3) Do both of these actions at the same time.

4) When you hear a crackling sound, you’ll know that you have equalized
the pressure.

5) If you have air trapped under fillings in your teeth, you can also
experience discomfort or pain when you dive. It is not possible to
equalize the pressure in a tooth.

Practice techniques on padded stools

Conclusion -- Review topics, describe activities for next week

Review unit materials in preparation for the written assessment.
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Day 2: Unit 2, Basic Safety/survival and Non-swimming Rescue Skills

Water Safety

One of your responsibilities as a tour guide is to “ensure the safety and well-being of your visitors
at all times. First you must keep yourself safe

General Water Safety Rules

1. Learn how to swim – essential for personal safety

2. Swim with a buddy

3. Supervise children and weak swimmers – many drown victims are the result of poor
supervision

4. Obey all safety rules and special precautions that should be taken for the particular place
in which you and your guests will be swimming or snorkeling

5. Use buoyant objects wisely – buoyant objects such as toys that are designed for play and
fun should not be used as personal flotation devices in open waters. They may deflate or
get blown into deep water

6. Know when to swim

 Do not swim during thunderstorms or other bad weather. Water conducts electricity.

 Swimming after dark is dangerous because you cannot be seen or be able to see
obstacles or help others if needed. Sharks and other large predatory fishes feed at
night

 Vigorous swimming after a large meal is not recommended, since the exertion may
cause exhaustion and nausea.

 Avoid swimming when you feel exhausted because of exercise or being hot. Cool off
before entering the water slowly to allow for temperature adjustment

7. Know where to swim – stay in supervised areas, or near a boat in open waters

 Dive only where the water is deep enough

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 Be wary of unknown waters

o Enter slowly

o Check bottom for hazards (e.g., rocks, glass, weeds, logs)

o Check water depth and temperature, currents, and visibility

Entry Methods and conditions

1. Beginning swimmers and those not used to high levels of physical activity should:

a. climb down a ladder when entering a swimming pool or entering water from a boat

b. wade in when entering shallow water, entering from a beach or river bank, or
entering strong current or waves

2. Intermediate and advanced swimmers can dive in when entering deep water from an
elevation

3. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced swimmers can jump in water of a suitable depth

4. Any swimmer can ease (lower) themselves in while entering

a. deep water

b. from an elevation

c. a swimming pool

d. water from a boat

e. a strong current or wave action

Water Hazards and What To Do

 Two groups of water hazards: personal danger and environmental dangers

1. Personal Danger

a. Panic
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1) Finding yourself in a new situation in which you feel unsure or threatened can
create fear or panic

2) Practice the various survival skills and imagining yourself in situations where
they may be needed will help you to mentally prepare yourself to use the skills

b. Cramps

1) Muscle cramps, particularly in your legs, may occur during strenuous

swimming when your muscles are tired Explain what causes a cramp

2) Do not panic!

3) Depending on the water depth, temperature, and conditions, there are several
actions you can take:

1. Stop swimming and walk out to shore or get back into the boat. Massage
and stretch the muscle to relieve the cramp

2. Float face down and massage the muscle. If you are wearing fins, grasp
the tip of the fin and pull it toward you to stretch a cramped calf muscle
and relieve the cramp

3. Flip over on your back and swim using your arms only

c. Choking -- Most likely to occur if you swim too soon after a heavy meal. Do
not panic! Three actions:

1. Tread water until your throat is clear

2. Float on your back until your throat is clear

3. If you are near a boat, hang onto the buoy line

d. Exhaustion – It is important to know how far or how long you can swim before you
need to rest. To be safe, keep the following in mind:

1) Swim parallel to the shore and stay in shallow water as much as possible when
swimming long distances (Show graphics)

2) Always make sure someone is watching or knows where you are

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3) Switch to a less strenuous stroke, i.e., from front crawl to sidestroke

4) Roll over from a face down position to a face up float and rest

5) When snorkeling, swim up-current first to the reef, then ride the current on
your return to the boat or shore

2. Environmental dangers

a. Deep water – Conserve your energy, Do not panic! Choose one of the following
survival techniques if you need to get to shallow water:

a) Repeat this cycle

1) Drownproofing is a variation of the travelstroke. Instead of moving forward,

you just hang motionless in a relaxed position, breathing when you bob to the
surface.

2) If someone is nearby to throw you a flotation device or pick you up in a boat, it

is better to tread water while you wait for assistance.

a) allows you to:

 hold your head above water

 wave your arms to attract attention

 reach out or grab onto a pfd

 see what’s happening around you

 breathe normally

b) Bring your body to a “standing” position (with a slight crouch), with your
ears out of the water and your chin at the surface

c) Move your legs in a rapid flutter, “pedaling”, scissors kick, or “eggbeater”

action (Eggbeater action and scissors kick are most effective and least
tiring)

d) Move your arms in a smooth, wide, sculling movement (Show graphic)

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e) Move both arms and legs in wide, slow motions. It is possible to tread
water using only your legs or only your arms to support your body.

3) If you’re in the water for a long time you can experience hypothermia, a
decrease in body temperature – you need to conserve your body heat by
protecting the parts that lose heat rapidly (head, neck, groin, and sides of
chest) (Show graphic) Discuss symptoms of hypothermia

a) Clothing helps conserve body heat, especially if you inflate your shirt so
that there is a layer of air between your skin and the water

 If you have a long-sleeved shirt on, button all the buttons except the
3rd from the top

 Button the cuffs and tuck in the bottom of your shirt

 Take a deep breath, lower your head underwater, and exhale into
the shirt opening at the 3rd button hole

 Hold the opening tightly closed while you tread water or float with
your chin just above the water (Show graphic)

b) A technique called HELP – Heat Escape Lessening Position – helps a lot in

reducing heat loss, and has been shown to increase survival time by 50%
(Show graphic)

 Wear a personal floatation device (PFD)

 Hold your arms over the sides of your chest

 Crouch and press your thighs close together over your groin
(crossing your legs helps keep in heat)

 Float, keeping your head above the water

c) The huddle is a variation of HELP in which people hold onto each other,
pressing their bodies together. A 50% increase in survival time has also
been demonstrated through the use of this technique (Show graphic)

b. Another environmental danger is semi-submerged ropes, weeds, branches, and

other debris
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 You can become caught or tangled in debris that is half-submerged

or floating in the water

 Avoid swimming in areas where these are found

 If you encounter these hazards, move carefully into a horizontal

position and swim away, using slow arm and leg motions

c. Currents – areas of fast-moving water that are found in rivers, tidal areas, and in
open waters

 Never try to swim against a current (unless it is a short distance to a

boat)

 Swim diagonally with the current to safety – the shore, shallow

water, or water outside the path of the current (Show graphic)

d. Caught in coral

 If you find yourself in a dead end or blind pool surrounded on all

sides by coral, do not panic!

 Stop where you are, bend your knees up to your chest and keep your
fins still

 Rotate in the water while you look for a way out, then stretch out
slowly and exit slowly

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) – life jackets or vests designed to assist swimmers and
act as personal lifesaving devices.

 They are designed to provide an extra 7-12 lbs of buoyancy that will ensure that you will
float comfortably until help arrives

Types: (Show graphic and actual PFDs)

 Type I – Off-shore Life Jacket

 This is a life preserver appropriate for any type of vessel

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 Best PFD for open, rough, or remote water with little traffic, where help may be
slow to arrive

 Type II – Near-shore Buoyant Vest

 This vest is appropriate for all recreational vessels in calm, inland water, or where
quick rescue is very likely

 Type III – Flotation Aid or Special Type Buoyant Device

 These devices are appropriate for all recreational vessels in calm, inland water
where there is a good chance of getting help quickly

 Type IV – Throwable Device such as ring lifebuoy and buoyant cushion

 Cushions are not considered the best option for a PFD, and should only be used
on recreational vessels in calm, inland water where help is always nearby

 Ring lifebuoys are used on vessels that operate in open and inland waters, as well
as on the shore near deep water

1. Given a choice, it is important to choose a PFD that will give you the amount of buoyancy
appropriate for your body weight and size, and the water conditions you are likely to
encounter.

2. PFD’s should fit snugly and keep your head tilted slightly backward or in an upright
position with your chin above the water (This will allow you to breathe even if you are
unconscious)

3. Proper care and storage of PFDs is important to ensure that they will keep you safe when
you need them. PFDs should be kept

 clean,

 dry,

 in a well-ventilated area, and

 protected from crushing or tearing

Non-swimming Assists
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 Safest and most effective way of helping a swimmer having problems without you
endangering yourself or other persons

 Beginning swimmers should never attempt ay rescue attempt other than a non-
swimming assist – sometimes the rescuer drowns as well as the person he or she is
trying to rescue

 When you see a person needing help, the first thing to do is to call out HELP so other
persons will assist you

 Two types of non-swimming assists:

1. Reaching Assist – involves extending an object to the person who needs help and
pulling him or her to safety (Show graphic)

a. Sometimes it is enough to reach out with your arm to grasp and pull the person
in (make sure you are anchored – low to the ground, lying flat at an angle to
the water, or holding on to something before reaching out so you don’t get
pulled in the water

b. If the person is too far away to reach with your hand, use a pole, paddle, towel,
rope, branch, belt or other item

c. If you’re in shallow water, you should never go deeper than chest deep

d. Once the person you are helping grasps the object, pull him or her in steadily
and slowly. Talk to the person, giving reassurance.

2. Throwing Assist – for helping a person who is beyond your reach, throw a
buoyant object for the person to hold onto until help can get to him or is rested and
can swim to safety

a. If a heaving line has been tied to the object, then you can pull the person to
safety

b. It’s a good idea to practice using the object before an emergency (Show
graphic)

c. When making a throwing assist with a ring buoy or float attached to a heaving
line, remember to do the following:

 Throw the float past the person, then maneuver it within easy reach of
 25

the person

 Stand on the free end of the heaving line to prevent loss of the line

 Allow for wind and current when throwing

 If the float falls short of the person, pull in the line quickly and re-throw
without coiling the line

Review unit materials in preparation for the written assessment.

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Day 3: Unit 3, Basic Snorkeling Skills and Snorkeling Etiquette

What is Snorkeling?

 Snorkeling is swimming with fins, a mask, and a tube called a snorkel that allows you to have
your face down in the water and still breathe

 The two most important factors to consider when selecting snorkeling equipment are:

o Fit
o Comfort

About Masks

 A diving mask has 3 main parts:

1. Lens or face plate

2. Skirt made of flexible material (neoprene or silicone)

3. Head strap

 Two general styles:

1. Wraparound

2. Low-profile (Show graphic and masks)

 A safe, well-fitting, and comfortable mask has the following features:

1. Lens made of tempered glass – less likely to shatter into small slivers

2. Comfortable skirt that fits your face closely and forms a good seal

a. Mask should stay in place without the strap around your head

b. The purpose of the strap is mostly to keep you from losing the mask if it is
accidentally knocked off or you remove it while still in the water

c. To test the seal, place the mask against your face and inhale through your nose –
the suction created should hold it in place as long as you hold your breath.
 27

3. Nose or finger pockets – allow for easier equalizing of ear pressure

4. Low profile lens – allow for easier equalizing and clearing if mask floods

5. Adjustable strap that locks in place

6. Wide field of vision – allows good peripheral vision

 Before putting on your mask, ensure that your face is free of any material such as lotion, oil,
sunblock, that may interfere with forming a seal.

 Also, check that no hair is trapped between the skirt and your face, because it can act as a
wick and let water into your mask.

 You need to prepare a new mask before using it by scouring the lens (inside and outside)
with a soft cloth and non-gel toothpaste. This removes the surface film applied by the
manufacturer. Rinse well.

 To prevent or reduce fogging of the lens, rub the inside with :

 Commercially prepared anti-fog liquids

 Johnson’s baby shampoo

 Saliva (spit)

 Gel from sargassum

 Rinse the cleaner out after rubbing it on the lens

 Adjust the strap so that it fits snugly across the back of your head. Do not make it too tight,
as this may cause a headache

 It may be necessary to clear your mask of water or condensation (fog) while snorkeling

o Bring your legs up to your chest and float face up while you do so

o Fins are very buoyant and will help you to float in this position

o If your mask has a purge valve, hold the mask snugly against your face and look
down. Exhale through your nose to force the water out through the purge valve.
 28

o If your mask lacks a purge valve, hold the top firmly against your forehead, then look
up slightly while exhaling through your nose. Begin to exhale before tipping your head
back to prevent water from entering your nose. The air from your nose will force
water out the bottom of your mask.

 Never put your mask on the top of your head, as it may easily be knocked off and sink or be
washed away (it also marks you as a beginner and in some locations, signals that you’re in
distress). Let it hang around your neck.

About Snorkels

A snorkel is a hollow curved tube with a mouthpiece that fits in your mouth and allows you to
breathe while you are face down in the water. (Show graphic and actual snorkel)

 While you are looking down into the water, the snorkel is sticking out of the water on one
end, while the other end is in your mouth so that you can swim around without having to lift
your head every time you need to inhale.

 Three features to consider when selecting a snorkel:

1. Tube has a large bore for easy passage of air

2. Tube is no longer than 17 inches, so it is easier to clear any water that enters it
due to wave action or when you swim underwater

3. Design has smooth, rounded bends

 Many snorkels have a purge valve at the bottom end that makes it easier to empty or clear
water from the tube

 When you exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece you clear the tube of water

 The proper way of putting the mouthpiece into your mouth is to gently bite down on the two
pieces of silicone in the mouthpiece and then wrap your lips around the outside of the flange.

 When snorkeling, you only breathe through your mouth, not your nose.

 It is a good idea to attach the snorkel to the mask strap on the left side in front of your ear
with the ring or clip

 Your snorkel should be adjusted so that the mouthpiece is in easy reach of your mouth when
 29

your mask is in place and you do not have to hold it in place using your mouth muscles. The
mouthpiece should remain in your mouth even if you open your mouth.

About Fins

Fins are oversized shoes for swimming. They have a pocket for your foot to fit into and a paddle-
like front (blade) that provides your feet with a large surface area to propel you through water

Two kinds of fins: (Show graphic and fins)

1. Full foot (close-heeled)

 Especially suitable for snorkeling in the calm, warm waters of the reef, seagrass beds,
and mangrove channels of Belize

2. Open-heeled (adjustable heel strap)

 Requires a special bootie, is more suited for scuba divers or colder waters

 Larger, have stiffer blades that require more leg strength, provide greater propulsion,
and stir up more sediment (not suitable for snorkeling in sensitive areas where stirring
up sand or sediment severely upsets the delicate balance needed by the resident
organisms

Snorkeling

 The better you are able to swim, the more rewarding and relaxing your snorkeling experience
will be

 To snorkel, prepare your mask and put it on with the snorkel. Then put on the fins. If you
have to walk to get to the water, walk backwards

 Relax in a front float with your arms at your sides and your legs straightened out
behind you

 Keep your face down, water at your hairline, open your eyes and look through your
mask

 Breathe normally through your mouth – inhale and exhale through the mouthpiece of
the snorkel

 Flutter kick slowly and gently so that the fin tips do not break the water surface.
 30

 Keep your legs straight with only a very slight flexing of your knees and ankles

 Keep your arms at your sides unless there are objects that you might bump into –
then hold your arms out in front to protect your head.

 Always lead with your hands when you dive down into the water.

 If you are a beginning swimmer or do not float well, use a snorkeling vest to improve
your experience and safeguard the coral reef

 Rinse your mask, snorkel, and fins in fresh water and allow them to air dry. Store
them in a cool, dry, well ventilated area away from direct sunlight or other heat
source.

About Snorkeling Etiquette

Snorkeling is a fun, relaxing activity, but some rules are needed to promote courtesy to others,
safety, and resource protection:

1. Consider others and safety when choosing your snorkel area (i.e., not next to a fishing
boat, an area with heavy boating traffic, a group of swimmers, or a honeymooning
couple)

2. Use a dive flag and float when snorkeling from a boat. Remember that in the water,
you’re difficult to see from above.

3. Drive your dive boat at a speed of 5 knots or less when within 200 feet of any dive flag or
others in the water.

4. Bring your own equipment and anti-fogging liquids so you don’t have to borrow them.

5. Wear protective clothing and/or sunblock if you burn easily or intend to be out for a long
time. People with very fair skin should wear a long-sleeved shirt and slacks. Apply
sunblock to the back of your legs, behind your neck, your back, and the tips of your ears.
6. Be quiet, move gently and calmly – avoid thrashing about in the water, running in to
other people, kicking up water or sediment and similar behavior.

7. Look only, take pictures, make memories. Remember that touching can be dangerous to
you and can lead to infections and death of reef organisms, especially coral. Inform
others about the danger of touching fire coral.
 31

8. Leave the habitat they way you found it – shells, rocks, and logs are often “someone’s
home”, and carcasses are food for organisms living there.

9. Stay with your group, use the buddy system and keep track of time and distance.

10. Explore mangrove channels and roots in a slow, leisurely manner, without stirring up
loose sediment and clouding the water. Unless you are a weak swimmer, consider
snorkeling without fins in mangrove habitats.

11. Agree on hand signals you and your buddy or group will use to communicate with each
other underwater, especially one that means you need help.

(Show graphics)

Review unit materials in preparation for the written assessment.

General Boating Safety

The Belize Port Authority (BPA) enforces regulations governing the safe conduct of all seagoing
vessels operating in Belize

The regulations enforceable by the BPA are set out in the Belize Port Authority Mariners’
Handbook, 2nd Edition, dated 2005 (distribute this booklet to class)

General Boating Safety Provisions

As a tour guide who is responsible for the “safety and well-being” of your guests, you must
ensure compliance with the general provisions for boating safety identified in the handbook.

In your tour blueprint, include the following “Getting Ready: Pre-tour Preparation” checklist
items:

 Boat readiness

o Check that engine fluids and fuels are topped off and there are no leaks

o Ensure that a bilge pump, bailer, and adequate anchor are on board

 Boat safety and legality

o Ensure that there are sufficient life jackets on board

 32

o Check that life ring or other floatation device has rope attached to it

o Ensure that proper lights and warning flags for diving or snorkeling are on board

o Check that fire extinguisher, sound signal device such as whistle, and proper
license documents (stored in a dry place) are all on board.

 Communication devices

o Have a charged cell phone with charger

o Have a well-charged radio with call sign or code

 Supplies (first aid)

o Have a standard first aid kit with medication for most ailments that can result from
activities during the tour, including vinegar, X-Ema Death, or other relief for marine
stings
 Itinerary and logistical items

o Have a copy of the itinerary

o Have a copy of passenger list that contains transfer points for all guests

Basic Nautical Terms

Knowledge of nautical terms allows you to effectively communicate with crew and passengers

(Show graphics)

Nautical Term Ordinary Word Example

Port Left “Throw the anchor over the port
side.”
Starboard Right “Approach the boat on the starboard
side.”
Wake Disturbed water “This is a No Wake Zone.”
Bow Forward of boat “Store the lifejackets in the bow
compartment.”
Stern Back of a boat “The smoothest ride is in the stern.”
Beam Width “Place the heavier equipment across
the beam.”
 33

Abaft Mid-way between 90°and 180° “The buoy is abaft the skiff’s bow.”
Knots, Bends and Hitches

In nautical terms,

 A KNOT is the result of tying a line to itself (Show examples)

 A BEND is a knot resulting from tying one line to another line (Show examples)

 A HITCH is the result of tying a line to an object (Show examples)

Man Overboard!

When a person falls overboard, do the following:

1. Sound the alarm by shouting: “MAN OVERBOARD, __(port or starboard)___ SIDE”

2. If possible, immediately throw a floating device to the person.

3. Keep the person in sight while the boat captain turns the boat to retrieve the person

4. You or one of the boat crew should assist the person with first aid, if necessary, once the
person is back on board.

Rules of the Road

These are rules listed in Section 5.0 of the BPA Mariners’ Handbook. Their purpose is to avoid
congestion and collisions by aquatic transports. Tour guides need to aware of the Rules of the
Road because they affect the transportation of guests.

Refer to Section 5.0 of the BPA Mariners’ Handbook and explain its value as a resource for tour
guides.

Review unit materials in preparation for the written assessment; practice swimming techniques

Day 4

Questions for 5-minute presentations (choose one):

1. Discuss how the physical principles of buoyancy, gravity, and movement affect a
swimmer’s stability and movement in water.
2. Define rhythmic breathing and explain what is meant by “bobbing” and “rotary breathing”;
 34

describe three ways of floating; tell how drownproofing is done

3. Demonstrate the arm and leg movements required for the front crawl, elementary
backstroke, sidestroke, and breast stroke.
4. List three types of surface dives and describe the body movements required for each;
describe the procedure for equalizing pressure in your ears.
5. Describe five personal survival techniques and one group survival technique; describe
hypothermia and muscle cramps and what to do.
6. Describe the four types of personal floatation device and when each is appropriate;
demonstrate how they are used; describe two non-swimming rescue techniques.
7. Demonstrate the selection, preparation, and procedures for using and storing snorkeling
equipment.
8. Explain good snorkeling etiquette as if you were talking to a group of inexperienced
snorkelers. Include courtesy, safety and resource protection.
9. Discuss the pre-tour preparation checklist items necessary before leaving on a boat tour.
10. Discuss the basic nautical terms used on a boat, describe a knot, bend and hitch used in
boating; and procedures for man overboard.
11. Discuss boating rules of the road, including overtaking, meeting head-on, and crossing
another vessel; and navigation lights and buoys.