Swim and Survive
Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive program ensures children all over Australia get the very best swimming and water safety education backed by over 125 years of experience in swimming and lifesaving, based on evidence-based research.
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It's time to thrive with Swim and Survive

Learning to Swim and Survive is a vital life skill that all Western Australian children need to safely participate on, in and around water.

The Swim and Survive program identifies 16 critical stages in a child’s development. The lower stages focus on teaching efficient support and movement in the water. The higher stages include skill and knowledge in safety, survival and rescue, all while developing a strong and effective swimming technique.

No matter the level of experience, Swim and Survive is inclusive for everyone at any ability to learn these essential skills.

The comprehensive and balanced curriculum will guide learning through progressive steps, providing an opportunity to grasp the fundamental skills through to advancing to more challenging skills increasing in endurance and complexity.

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Benefits of Swim and Survive

The Swim and Survive program is:

  • Backed by 125 years of Royal Life Saving history
  • Well-researched and reviewed regularly to keep it up to date
  • Aligned to the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework
  • The best avenue to achieve the National Benchmarks for swimming and water safety
  • Above all, fun, challenging and a channel for personal achievement
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Swim and Survive 6 months to 3 years
6 months to 3 years
Swim and Survive for infants and toddlers. Start the swimming and water safety journey with your child and discover the wonders of water.
Swim and Survive 6 to 12 years
3 to 5 years
Swim and Survive for preschool. Transition to independent participation to learn fundamental skills, build confidence and a sense of achievement.
Swim and Survive 13 years plus
5 to 12 years
Swim and Survive for primary. Acquire new skills and knowledge by building on the foundation skills, increasing endurance and complexity towards minimum benchmarks.
Swim and Survive Teenager
13+ years
Swim and Survive for teenagers and beyond. Extend and apply skills and knowledge to enable safe participation in a range of aquatic activities and environments.

Endorsed Swim Schools

Royal Life Saving is proud to endorse a number of Swim Schools that have committed to providing the absolute best in aquatic education through the use of qualified instructors, small class sizes, safe aquatic environments and the use of the Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive, Infant Aquatics & Bronze Rescue swimming & water safety programs.

National Swimming and Water Safety Framework

The Framework supports a structured and consistent understanding of swimming and water safety education across Australia.

The Framework provides three benchmarks for children at age 6, 12 and 17 years.

Swim and Survive is the best and easiest way for children to achieve the outcomes set out in the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework.