Water Survival Skills and Swimming Performance of BSMT Students: A Sequential Explanatory Study

Aims: This study aimed to determine the significance of water survival skills as a factor in swimming performance among Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) students and explore their water survival experiences that contribute to swimming performance. Study Design: Sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, prioritizing quantitative data followed by qualitative analysis to enhance ecological validity. Methodology: Using Yamane's formula, 267 second-year BSMT students were randomly selected from 800 students at a private maritime institution in Davao City for the quantitative phase. Five highest-scoring students were purposively selected for qualitative interviews. A 40-item adapted questionnaire assessed water survival skills and swimming performance, while open-ended interviews explored student experiences. Data analysis included mean calculations, linear regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Results: Water survival skills obtained a mean score of 3.25 (moderate level), while swimming performance achieved 4.18 (high level). Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship (r = 0.561, p = 0.000) between water survival skills and swimming performance, explaining 31.5% of the variance. Three themes emerged from qualitative analysis: technique development (swimming stroke adjustment, breathing control, overall skill enhancement), independence in water survival (reliance on personal skills, training adaptation, internal growth lessons), and building confidence (overcoming fear, self-reliance reinforcement, future preparedness). Conclusion: Water survival skills significantly influence swimming performance among BSMT students. The integration of structured water survival training enhances psychomotor development, confidence, and emergency preparedness, supporting maritime education effectiveness and safety outcomes.