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d1.5 Guideline
Test your open water safety knowledge
Translates the project objective into an educational, practical and regionally adaptable framework for swimming federations, clubs, coaches, instructors, schools, municipalities and community organisations.
The purpose of the SWIMSAFE Open Water Safety Guidelines is to provide a shared educational framework for safer, more confident and more responsible participation in open water swimming across Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, supporting harmonised implementation across the three partner countries.
Learning Resources
Three modules, one safety framework
Each module builds on the previous — from understanding the environment, to responding in emergencies, to protecting the places we swim in.
module 01
Understanding Open Water Risks
Participants understand how open water differs from pool swimming and can identify the main risks before entering the water.
- Name key open water hazards across 7 risk categories: water movement, temperature, visibility, weather, access, human activity, water quality
- Complete the STOP–LOOK–PLAN pre-swim risk check before every session
- Explain why local conditions must be assessed individually for each site
- Conduct a risk mapping exercise for a real local swimming location
⏱ 30–45 minutes
Young swimmers · Recreational swimmers · Coaches · Club staff
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module 02
Self-Rescue and Emergency Awareness
Participants learn calm, safe responses if they feel tired, cold, disoriented, or in difficulty in open water.
- Describe the FLOAT–BREATHE–SIGNAL–DECIDE self-rescue sequence and apply it in practice scenarios
- Explain how to respond to 6 common situations: fatigue, cold, disorientation, currents, cramps, and separation from group
- Identify what coaches and bystanders should do in a water emergency (CALL–TELL–POINT–SUPPORT)
- Define the minimum elements of a coach session plan including stop criteria and emergency contacts
⏱ 30–45 minutes
Swimmers · Coaches · Trainers · Club staff
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module 03
Environmental Responsibility in Open Water Swimming
Participants understand how to protect natural swimming sites and how environmental conditions directly affect swimmer safety.
- Identify water quality risks, contamination signs, and when to avoid a site — even if it looks normal
- Apply responsible leave-no-trace behaviour at any open water swimming location
- Recognise 6 environmental risk indicators: warnings, rainfall, algae, unusual smell, waste, wildlife disturbance
- Plan a simple club-level environmental action from a menu of 5 options
⏱ 30–45 minutes
Swimmers · Coaches · Clubs · Event organisers
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Interactive safety quiz
Test your open water safety knowledge
10 questions covering risk awareness, self-rescue, and environmental responsibility. This quiz checks understanding — it does not replace qualified instruction or local safety guidance.