The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is committed to ensuring everyone is safe while swimming in our pools. Individuals (14 Years of Age and Younger) must participate in a swim test and will be issued a green, yellow or red band. These bands help our lifeguards identify if a child/youth is outside of their swimming ability area.  

Red – Non-Swimmer  

• Has not passed any level swim test 
• MUST stay in the shallow end 
• Five years and under must have a parent in the water 
  • Must wear a life jacket unless the parent is providing contact support – hands-on 
• Six years and older must wear a life jacket unless the parent is in the water within arms reach

Yellow – Intermediate 

• Can enter/exit pool independently AND swim 15 yards freestyle and tread water for 30 seconds 
• Must stay in the shallow end where they can stand confidently
• Five years and under must have a parent in the water 
• 6 - 11 years must have a parent on side of pool supervising 
  • May use the deep end with a parent in the water and a life jacket
• 12 - 14 years without a parent must remain in the shallow end 

Green – Proficient 

• Can jump into deep water, tread water for one minute, float on back for 15 seconds, swim 25 yards and exit pool independently 
• Five years and under must have a parent in the water if in the deep end. A parent can be poolside at shallow depths 
• Six years and older may swim in any section 

50 Meter Pool Swim Band Test 

• In addition to the green band test, children ages 12 - 14 will need to complete the below test if they are swimming in the 50M pool.
  • Jump into the water, tread water for 1 minute, float on your back for 15 seconds, swim 50 meters with proficient freestyle and exit the pool independently.

General Reminders when at the YMCA pools:

• Parents are responsible for the direct supervision of their children while in the pool area 
• Red bands must wear life jackets OR remain in arms reach of a parent or guardian at all times. 
• YMCA staff reserve the right to re-test any swimmer at any time.  
• Learn more about all the pool policies here.