What methods are used to assess a swimmer's level of skill?

Assessing a swimmer's level of skill primarily involves administering swim tests and observing their techniques. This hands-on approach allows lifeguards or instructors to directly observe how efficiently and effectively a swimmer executes various strokes, their endurance, speed, and comfort in the water. Swim tests can include timed swims, swimming different strokes, treading water, and other relevant skills to accurately gauge a swimmer's capabilities.

Asking about age may not provide reliable information about a swimmer's skills, as individuals of the same age can have vastly different abilities. Similarly, measuring height does not correlate with swim proficiency, as skill is independent of physical size. Providing random swimming challenges, while it could provide some insight into a swimmer’s ability to adapt and respond to unexpected tasks, does not systematically evaluate their foundational swimming skills and techniques in a structured manner. Thus, observing techniques through formal swimming assessments is the most effective method for evaluating a swimmer's skill level.