To pass the 25:10 swim test, a child under 12 must do what?

• A. Tread water for 2 minutes
• B. Swim 25 meters of any stroke, unassisted, without stopping
• C. Swim 50 meters of any stroke
• D. Float for 1 minute

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is basic water competency for safety: a child under 12 must be able to move through the water to reach safety without help. Swimming 25 meters of any stroke, unassisted and without stopping, shows they can propel themselves, control their breathing, and finish the distance without needing a float or a guide. This short distance demonstrates enough skill to get to the edge or safety in an actual situation.

Treading water for a couple of minutes tests staying afloat in place rather than moving toward safety, and 50 meters is a longer distance than the standard, making it a tougher requirement. Floating for a minute shows buoyancy but not the ability to swim to safety. So the required skill is precisely that: swim 25 meters of any stroke, unassisted, without stopping.