Swim Test Policy

Our Swim Test Policy has been created to help ensure the safety of all children who use our pools. The Bath Area Family YMCA swim test policy is based on recommended best practices by Y -USA and the Redwoods Group. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping the YMCA protect your vested interest.

Swim Tests help provide you and our staff with an awareness of your child’s swimming competency and confidence. Swim Bands are worn around your child’s wrist to let our staff know they are deep water competent and confident. At the Bath Area Family YMCA we have two swim bands (Green and Red) that designate what areas of our pools your child can play in.

Green Band: To earn a green band, a child must complete the following tasks in sequence...

Enter from the shallow end of pool
Swim length of 25 yard pool without stopping
Climb out and jump in, surface
Tread water effectively for 60 seconds
Float on back for 5-10 seconds

Red Band: Children who do not pass the deep water swim test are given a red band so that lifeguards and other Y staff can easily identify them. Children wearing a red band must follow all guidelines outlined in the table below.

Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied in the water at arm’s length by a supervising adult regardless of their swimming ability.

Children under 16 years of age must take a swim test to receive a green band and be allowed to swim in deep water. Ages 8 to 16 may swim independently in the pool upon completion of a swim test.

Supervising adults must be at least 18 years of age and may not be responsible for more than two children at a time requiring arm’s length supervision

	PASSES SWIM TEST	DOES NOT PASS SWIM TEST
Infant-7 years old	Access to all areas of pools Adult must be in the water within arm’s length at all times (1:2 ratio)	Access to shallow roped off areas of pools only Adult must be in the water within arm’s length at all times (1:2 ratio) Must wear PFD at all times except in the following instances: -Child passes armpit depth height test for a roped off portion of pool -Adult accompanying child is actively engaged in teaching swim skills
8-10 years old	Access to all areas of pools Adult must remain in the aquatics area while child swims	Access to shallow roped off areas of pools only Adult must be in the water within arm’s length at all times (1:2 ratio) and child must wear a PFD unless accompanying adult is actively engaged in teaching swim skill
11-16 years old	Access to all areas of pools Adult not required to be in facility with child	Access to shallow, roped off areas of pools only If child passes an armpit depth height test they may swim in that roped off portion of pool without an adult in the facility In all other instances, adult must be in the water within arm’s length at all times (1:2 ratio) and child must wear a PFD unless accompanying adult is actively engaged in teaching swim skills

How do I take the swim test?

When entering the pool, all swimmers (non-program) under age 16 will be required to take a swim test and receive the accompanying band.

Notify a lifeguard that you would like to take the swim test
Take the swim test in the main pool
The lifeguard will give swimmer a Blue Swimmer Card to fill out
Give Blue Swimmer Card back to lifeguard to initial
Records of your swim test will be added to your member file.
At your next visit, before swimming, check in with Welcome Center staff or our aquatics team to receive your swim band. They will look up your profile and provide the appropriate swim band.

BATH AREA FAMILY YMCA

How do I take the swim test?

Bath Area Family YMCA

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