Aquatic Education
The centerpiece of Swimdo is our Aquatic Education curriculum.
We have spent over 5 years developing this program with multiple international partners including
The Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia and Austswim.
Our Aquatic Education curriculum is based around knowledge and prevention.
In order to successfully keep children out of danger, it is important to provide them with the resources to
identify potential hazards, and give them the tools they need to get themselves out of trouble and help others.
All of our classes are 100% free to local students. Typically, students graduate from our programs after
2-weeks of training and a final physical examination.
Practical
Practical training is based around survival swimming.
Over the course of 2-weeks students are taught the minimum requirements for
survival swimming set by international standards.
These requirements include the ability to swim 25 meters unassisted and float or tread for at least 30 seconds.
In addition, we teach all of our students safe-save-techniques so they can help others that may be in trouble.
Theoretical
Theoretical training is based on knowledge.
In this part of the Swimdo program we address different types of aquatic hazards. These can range from identifying rip currents to covering wells and buckets of water within the home. Theory is important because it helps to prevent children from finding themselves in compromising situations.
Research
There is a serious lack of data surrounding drowning statistics in Indonesia. As the 4th most populated country on the planet, and the worlds largest archipelago, we believe that Indonesia has the potential to offer unique insights into drowning. That is why we have teamed up with local organizations to help offer a glimpse into the complicated relationship between people and water in this unique country.
Pandemic Response
Like many other international NGOs, Swimdo has had to make changes to our programs due to COVID-19.
In an effort to stay aligned with our mission, we have limited swim lessons and turned our attention instead towards helping our communities disseminate supplies and food to the families of our students, instructors and local coordinators. By leveraging our existing relationships in already under-served communities we have been able to limit the effect the pandemic has in the areas Swimdo operates. More recently, in accordance with local health guidelines, we have opened our class to once again focus on our primary mission; drowning prevention.