Lifeguards: Ring Buoy Rescue!

Half the class are swimmers out at sea and, when they call for help, the lifeguards roll a hoop life ring to them and walk them back to shore by the hand. It practices rolling an object toward someone and the joy of rescuing a friend.

How to play

1. We set up the beach with two ropes as the shoreline; half the kids are swimmers in the sea and half are lifeguards on the sand, each with a hoop (2 min).
2. The swimmers paddle their arms through the sea; when the teacher calls “Help!”, each one sits down and raises their hands (2 min).
3. Each lifeguard rolls a hoop toward a swimmer; if it doesn't reach, they pick it up and walk it over (3 min).
4. The swimmer puts the hoop around their waist like a float and the lifeguard walks them by the hand to the sand (3 min).
5. We switch roles: the lifeguards go into the water (2 min).
6. Final rescue: the teacher is the swimmer in trouble and the whole class surrounds them with their hoops and brings them to shore (2 min).

Rules

• The hoop rolls on the ground, never thrown through the air.
• Each lifeguard rescues one swimmer.
• I walk my swimmer back by the hand.
• If my hoop rolls away, I go get it and try again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they're a swimmer close to the shore, or a lifeguard rolling the hoop from their wheelchair.
• Autism: let them choose to be a lifeguard first and agree that “Help!” is said without shouting.
• Visual impairment: the swimmer calls their name so they roll toward the voice, and the hoop has bright tape on it.

Learning goals

• Roll a hoop toward a classmate.
• Help a classmate in need.
• Take on different roles in the game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 13
• Ropes: 2

Teacher tip

First teach the rolling motion, pushing the hoop forward with a hand on top. Lifeguards often all rush to the same swimmer, so before each round have each one point to “their” swimmer.

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