Bob Test (BT)
INTRODUCTIONThe Bob Test is an assessment tool designed to evaluate an individual's level of comfort or fear when interacting with aquatic environments. It evaluates the willingness to immerse the face and head, but does not take into account the form, technique, or method used to immerse. The Bob Test is primarily designed to be an aptitude test, rather than a proficiency test. This means its primary purpose is to assess an individual’s readiness or capacity for learning skills in an aquatic environment, not their bobbing performance.
The Bob Test is defined as the following:
This test should be performed with at least one hand on the pool deck or wall for support, or while standing in chest deep water. Instructors should not hold students' hands or provide assistance.
Body
Body positioned vertically
One or both hands on deck or wall
Bob Sequence
Begin with head above surface
Fully submerge head
Exhale to blow bubbles while submerged
Return head above surface
Inhale to take a breath
Timing
Perform one bob without hesitation
Scoring
The following scoring rubric lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels.
A single score of 1 - 4 is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.
✔
1
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Does not attempt to submerge
2
Performs all of the following:
✔ Attempts to submerge
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Does not fully submerge head
3
Performs all of the following:
✔ Fully submerges head
✔ Returns head above surface and takes a breath
Exhibits any of the following:
✖ Does not exhale underwater
✖ Demonstrates hesitation or unease prior to or during submersion
4
Performs all of the following:
✔ Fully submerges head comfortably and without hesitation
✔ Exhales while underwater
✔ Returns head above surface and takes a breath