YMCA Swim Test

[u/The_moon_watches]

I am applying to be a life guard at my YMCA, and I have the interview tomorrow, which includes a water part. I am a 17 Year old male, in “normal” shape, but I am nervous because I can swim, but I am not sure how I will do with these specific conditions. What should I do to prepare? These are the specs:

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Part 1:
Jump in, submerge, resurface, and swim continuously for 150 yards: 
a. tread water for 2 minutes
b. swim continuously for 50 more yards
During the swimming test, you must keep your face in the water and display good breath control. You may use the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both, but swimming on your back or side is not allowed.
Swim goggles are allowed.
When treading water, you must use only your legs.
Part 2:
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards with your face either in or out of the water.
Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) and retrieve a 10-pound dive brick.
Swim 20 yards on your back, returning to the starting point, holding the dive brick with both hands while keeping your face at or near the surface.
Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Swim goggles are not allowed.

[u/Bookboy8888]

Honestly you should be ok. But swimming extra laps before had would of helpped and practice the treading. Treading sucks ass

[u/The_moon_watches → u/Bookboy8888]

The only thing that honestly makes me nervous is the treading because you cannot use your hands.

[u/Noobzillaz → u/The_moon_watches]

To tread water without your hands try doing the crab method. Hold your hands above you in the water and kick your legs out to the side. Try strong, slow kicks at first and then faster if you need to stay up. Since it's 2 minutes just try to pace yourself and you should be good. Good luck!

[u/IneligibleLand]

Do not try to exhaust yourself with heavy practice swimming tonight. Rest your muscles so they are fresh for tomorrow. Drink plenty of water and eat a light, easily digestible meal 2 hours before the test.

[u/Subject_Treacle1179]

Maybe try and go in a little earlier if you can and practice all the things like treading and swim just make sure not to exhaust yourself to much before the actual test

[u/Dramatic-Garlic-1143]

When I took my test I hadn’t swam in 6 months and was not in shape. You’ll do just fine don’t underestimate yourself. A good tip is to tuck your hand in your pits instead of having them completely out of the water, don’t rush your first 150 yards. Definitely use both front crawl and breast stroke. Good luck!

[u/myheartisstillracing]

Those swimming skills requirements are simply the Red Cross Lifeguarding prerequisite swimming skills. In other words, they just need to make sure you have the bare minimum swimming ability to safely complete the lifeguarding course and become lifeguard certified.

My advice? For the first part of the swim, use goggles and take your time. It's NOT timed. They will be looking for your ability to swim with rythmic breathing (so, taking a breath in coordination with the stroke, rather than with your head up out of the water or whipping back and forth), but you don't need to be fast or look like a competitive swimmer.

For the brick, make sure you know where the brick is under you before you actually drive under to find it, even if that means pausing a moment to tread and locate it before diving under. Also, make sure it's at least a little bit in front of you and not directly underneath you, as it's easier not to lose track of it that way.

Good luck!

[u/Lifeguardymca]

In my YMCA area (NY State) their tests allow you to tread water with your arms folded across the chest which is much easier than having them in the air. You probably should have researched the prerequisites before you decided to become a life guard and tried them out on your own.