SwimSafer National Programme and Water Safety Programme Singapore was initiated by National Water Safety Council in collaboration with SportsSG in 2010.

SwimSafer programme was reviewed between 2016 - 2017 and a refreshed version of SwimSafer 2.0 was introduced. SwimSafer Award consists of 6 stages.

SwimSafer 2.0 teaches people of all ages and varying abilities to swim, to be safe in the water and be water smart.

SwimSafer 2.0 Programme emphasises skills development in conjunction with water safety and personal water survival education.

SwimSafer 2.0 Programme is the only programme recognise by all MOE School in Singapore.

SwimSafer 2.0 Quiz

All SwimSafer participants are required to complete the SwimSafer Quiz and achieve 90% to pass the test with unlimited attempt.

SwimSafer Quiz Portal

SwimSafer Programme

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Bronze Silver Gold SwimSafer

SwimSafer Stage 1 Award

Introduction of Water Skills
SwimSafer Stage 1 objective is to develop confidence and independence in the water, learn general and deep-end water safety. Techniques taught includes the forward and backward movement, safe entry and exit and personal water safety.

Teaching Pool
Sequence 1A (w/o goggles)

Competition Pool
Sequence 1B (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and shorts

SwimSafer Stage 2 Award

Fundamental Water Skills
SwimSafer Stage 2 is on general skill development including unassisted step entry into water, sculling, feet first surface dives, personal water safety skills as well as water safety in aquatic environments. One of the goals is to achieve 25 metres of continuous swimming. 

Teaching Pool
Swim: 

Sequence 2A (w/o goggles)

Sequence 2B (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and shorts

SwimSafer Stage 3 Award

Personal & Stroke Development Skills
Entry skills such as the stride jump will be taught. Skills include sculling, underwater skills and putting on a personal flotation device (PFD) whilst in water and swim with it. One of the goals is to achieve 50 metres of continuous swimming for SwimSafer Stage 3.

Competition Pool
Swim 50m continuously: 

Sequence 3A (w/o goggles)

Sequence 3B (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and shorts

SwimSafer Bronze Award

Personal Survival & Stroke Improvement Skills
Development of student’s stroke techniques is a focus in SwimSafer Bronze Award, along with coordinated breathing in deep water. This stage sees the introduction of throw rescues and more personal survival skills. One of the goals is to achieve 100 metres of a variety of strokes. 

All Done in Competition Pool
Swim 100m (4 strokes) continuously: 

Sequence 4A (w/o goggles)

Sequence 4B (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and shorts

SwimSafer Silver Award

Intermediated Person Survival & Stoke Refinement Skills
At SwimSafer Silver Award, fundamentals of diving will be introduced. Development of personal survival knowledge will continue with a situational context of swimming quickly away from a sinking boat. Students will be required to demonstrate efficient stroke techniques by swimming a variety of strokes over 200 metres within a given time frame. 

All Done in Competition Pool
Swim (Crouching Dive Entry*):

Sequence 2A (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and long pants

SwimSafer Gold Award

Advance Personal Survival & Swimming Skill Proficiency
SwimSafer Gold Award, students will be required to perform a variety of strokes with efficiency over 400 metres within a given time frame for each stroke. Personal survival skills like making use of clothing to make a personal floatation device and swim with them, putting on a life jacket in water and demonstrating the Heat Escape Lessening Posture technique will be taught. 

All Done in Competition Pool
Swim (Standing Dive Entry*): 

Sequence (w/o goggles)
Dressed in swimwear, t-shirt and long pants