The official definition of swimming skills may sound demanding in many ears. It is not enough to stay afloat or be able to move forward with lifeguard course near me.

According to the official definition, a person with the ability to swim is one who, after falling into deep water with his head underwater, is able to rise to the surface again and swim immediately afterwards for 200 meters, of which 50 meters on his back.



When this definition of Nordic swimming skills is used as a criterion, about 70 per cent of sixth-graders in Finland do not know how to swim.

Adults aged 15–64 outperformed sixth-graders. Of these, 68 percent were swimmers.

In general, however, people overestimate rather than underestimate their own swimming skills. This is how Tero Savolainen , a swimming education training planner, is annoyed by the Finnish Swimming and Lifesaving Association.

Fortunately in Finland, parents look after their children well. The situation is different in some other countries, where parents may even overestimate their children’s swimming skills.

The first requirement for swimming skills is to get on the surface after falling into deep water and then be able to function as well. According to Savolainen, there are many security elements associated with this series of events alone.

First of all, that you are not too scared of falling and that you know how to control your breathing under water so that no water gets into your nose or throat. Then you have to get back to the surface and also be able to go swimming without stopping the activity with American lifeguard Association Vienna Va.



When it comes to reality, operations must not stop.

Savolainen describes a situation in which every novice swimmer has taken his turn: when the face gets wet, the activity stops for a moment, the feet fumble from the bottom of the firm grip and then the face is wiped dry.

When the fact comes, a similar stop must not occur, but the swimmer must start swimming.

It must be possible to continue swimming for at least 200 consecutive meters.

The length of the trip is not the most important thing in itself, but the work that the swimmer has done while practicing reaching that distance. It has learned many essential things about working in water during the training phase.

200 meters mainly reflects the fact that then swimming skills and water skills are at the required level.

Swimming skills can also be trained inside the main booth.

The 50-meter backstroke included in the trip is a lighter swim with a calm and light float. During the back swim, the swimmer gets some rest.

One of the essential skills here is that the swimmer can turn his stomach on his back and vice versa. You also need to practice it, especially if you haven’t done it in a while.

However, Tero Savolainen emphasizes that motor swimming skills alone do not guarantee the safety of any swimmer. Swimming skills can also be trained inside the main booth.

If you have learned to swim in 28-degree, clear pool water, no one can guarantee that you will be able to do the same in 15-degree natural water with no bottom visible. The swimmer must be able to assess and analyze the conditions in which he operates.

Once the skill of swimming is learned, it will remain at some level for the rest of your life. Yet that too is a rusting skill.

It is always good to clean and sharpen your swimming skills from time to time. Drowning deaths are often based on false assumptions about one’s own swimming skills.

Every year, 150 to 200 people drown in Finland. Proportionate to the population, this is clearly more

than in other Nordic countries. The majority of those killed are men of working age and older.

The Finnish Swimming Skills and Lifesaving Association's National Swimming Skills Week is being celebrated for the 17th time this week. The goal is to encourage people to test their swimming skills and give tips for developing swimming skills.

TIPS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S SWIMMING SKILLS:

You don’t have to be a swimming instructor for your kids at the start of swimming. It is enough to give your child the environment and circumstances to learn new things. The child’s interest in the new and wonderful does the rest.

Praise, Praise and once again Praise. A happy learning environment and positive feedback lead to success.

Don't put pressure, don't force. Give time to explore, try and wonder.

Enjoy time together with your child.

The Finnish Association for Swimming Education and Lifesaving has made videos.

Here is one of them that teaches safe behavior on the beach shore: