Glossary
Water competency
The skills to stay safe in water you didn't plan to be in, plus water smarts and knowing how to help others.
Water competency is the ability to stay safe in, on and around water, including water you didn't plan to enter. The American Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says it has three parts: water smarts, swimming skills and helping others. Its five core swimming skills are:
- Enter water that's over your head, then return to the surface.
- Float or tread water for at least 1 minute.
- Turn over and turn around in the water.
- Swim at least 25 yards.
- Exit the water.
Many people overestimate their skills. In a 2020 Red Cross survey (opens in a new tab), 85% of Americans said they could swim, but only 56% of those self-described swimmers could do all five skills. Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab) adds that children who finish entry-level swim lessons may still not be water competent, and still need close, direct supervision.
Competency also depends on the setting. Skills that work in a calm pool may not be enough in a lake, river or surf, so practice in the kinds of water you actually use. Test yourself with the Water competency self-check, and read water competency: the 5 skills and swim lesson levels.
What you can do today: at your next pool visit, try the five skills with a lifeguard on duty.