The Olaya Methodology

LEVEL 1 — BEGINNER

Citizen Swimmer & Ocean Awareness Program

Target: Youth, Adults, Newcomers, Recreational Swimmers

Outcome: Ocean-competent, safety-aware, disciplined trainees  

MODULE 1: Ocean Literacy & Personal Safety

• Beach zones, rips, currents, tides

• Reading swell, wind, and sandbanks

• Personal risk assessment

• Entering and exiting surf safely

• Cold exposure basics & breath control 

MODULE 1: Assessment

• Identify hazards
• Safe entry/exit
• Controlled breathing under stress 

MODULE 2: Foundational Swimming (Open Water)

• Freestyle efficiency (relaxed propulsion)

• Sighting fundamentals

• Breathing control in chop

• Short-distance endurance (200–800 m)

• Introduction to swim buoys

MODULE 3: Body Surfing Foundations

• Why body surfing matters for lifesavers

• Wave timing, trim, and exit

• Dolphin diving and sand reading

• Safe wipe-out mechanics

Purpose:

Body surfing builds wave intelligence, humility, and timing — essential for rescues.  

MODULE 4: Movement Culture – Foundations

(Ido -inspired principles, adapted for lifesaving)

• Joint mobility (shoulders, hips, ankles)
• Spinal control & rotation
• Hanging, crawling, ground movement
• Balance and coordination drills

Rule:

If you cannot control your body, you cannot save another. 

MODULE 5: Nutrition & Recovery (Beginner)

• Hydration & electrolytes (heat + saltwater)

• Anti-inflammatory foods (local & affordable)

  • Fish, turmeric, ginger, cacao, coconut

• Basic fueling before/after training

• Sleep discipline

MODULE 6: Mindset & Discipline

• Showing up on time

• Respect for instructors and peers

• Ego management in the ocean

• Responsibility culture

MODULE 7: Volunteerism & Community

• Why Surf Life Saving is volunteer-driven

• Beach clean-ups

• Assisting events & community swims

• Respect for fishermen, locals, visitors

BEGINNER CERTIFICATION

• Ocean-safe swimmer
• Community-ready participant
• Eligible for Intermediate Level

LEVEL 2 — INTERMEDIATE

Operational Lifesaving & Performance Development

Target: Regular trainees, competitive swimmers, future lifesavers

Outcome: Operational readiness, physical robustness, leadership basics 

MODULE 8: Advanced Open Water Swimming

• Long-distance endurance (1–3 km)

• Drafting & pack swimming

• Navigation in poor visibility

• Fatigue management

MODULE 9: Rescue Fundamentals

• Rescue approaches (contact / non-contact)

• Use of fins, rescue tubes, buoys

• Victim assessment in water

• Safe towing techniques

• Multiple casualty awareness

MODULE 10: Board Skills (Intro)

• Board handling & paddling technique

• Mounting/dismounting in surf

• Board control in whitewater

• Rescue board awareness

MODULE 11: Body Surfing – Applied

• Reading powerful surf

• Positioning for rescues

• Energy conservation

• Using waves to assist victims

MODULE 12: Movement Culture – Strength & Control

• Locomotion under load

• Shoulder resilience (injury prevention)

• Rotational strength

• Grip & carry capacity (victim simulation)

MODULE 13: Sports Psychology

• Stress inoculation

• Breath control under panic

• Decision-making under pressure

• Emotional regulation during rescues

MODULE 14: Meditech & Recovery (Non-Clinical)

Education only – not medical treatment

• Anti-inflammatory recovery protocols:

  • Cold exposure (controlled)

  • Compression & circulation tools

  • Microcurrent concepts (education level)

• Mobility-based recovery

• Overtraining prevention

MODULE 15: Nutrition – Performance Level

• Fueling for double sessions

• Protein timing

• Electrolyte balance

• Recovery meals

MODULE 16: Leadership & Responsibility

• Looking after weaker swimmers

• Peer accountability

• Setting standards by example

• Introduction to patrol culture

INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATION

• Rescue-capable trainee
• Performance-ready athlete
• Eligible for Advanced / Lifeguard pathway

LEVEL 3 — ADVANCED

Elite Lifesaver, Leader & Community Guardian

• Target: Lifeguard candidates, instructors, competitors
• Outcome: Calm, capable leaders trusted with lives

MODULE 17: High-Risk Rescue Scenarios

• Big surf rescues

• Night/low visibility scenarios

• Multi-victim incidents

• Equipment failure protocols

MODULE 18: Advanced Board & Surf Skills

• Board rescue under pressure

• Surf negotiation with equipment

• Rapid decision rescues

MODULE 19: Advanced Body Surfing & Wave Control

• Heavy water management

• Exit strategies with victims

• Reading dangerous conditions instinctively

MODULE 20: Movement Culture – Mastery

• Longevity training

• Joint preservation

• Minimalist strength

• Adaptability across environments (beach, river, rocks)

MODULE 21: Sports Psychology – Elite

• Command presence

• Leadership under crisis

• Managing fear (yours and others’)

• Post-incident mental health care

MODULE 22: Nutrition & Recovery – Longevity

• Anti-inflammatory long-term diet

• Recovery cycles

• Injury prevention strategies

• Aging as an athlete & rescuer

MODULE 23: Environmental Guardianship

• Coastal contamination awareness

• River & Amazon safety context

• Mangroves, reefs, biodiversity

• Education through action

MODULE 24: Volunteerism & National Service

• Why lifesaving is service, not status

• Training the next generation

• Community education

• Building clubs & national capability

MODULE 25: Ethics, Legacy & José Olaya

• Courage without recognition

• Service under pressure

• Sacrifice for community

• Passing the torch

ADVANCED CERTIFICATION

• Operational lifesaver
• Instructor-ready
• Community leader
• International pathway eligible

DELIVERY FORMAT

• Daily training sessions

• Weekend intensives

• Community swims

• Environmental action days

• Competitions & simulations