AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR

AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY
INSTRUCTOR
Course Syllabus
June Wilden: Wellness (Room 109B)
Certified Instructor and Instructor Trainer with American Red Cross
Course Description -
jwilden@clintonia.org
563 – 243 – 2435 ext. 1092
The purpose of this course is to train instructor candidates to teach water safety, including the
Basic Water Rescue course, six levels of the Learn to Swim and Parent and Child Aquatics.
Note: This Water Safety Instructors course is not designed to teach you the required strokes.
This course is dedicated to developing the skills you will need to instruct and plan course in the
American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program
Prerequisites: To be eligible to take the Water Safety Instructor course a prospective candidates
must
1. Be at least 16 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Instructor course.
(Candidates must provide proof of age, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate.)
2. Possess one of the following:
a. Possess a Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) certificate issued within the
past 12 months.
b. Have a current Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization (F5736 or
C3005)
3. Successfully pass the Precourse written test and skills test.
PRECOURSE SKILLS TEST CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:
1. Long shallow dive into a minimum of 9 feet of water, perform a surface dive, retrieve
a 10 pound brick in 6 to 10 feet of water, and bring it to the surface.
2. Perform a wading assist with equipment. Bring the victim safely to the side of the
pool.
3. Enter shallow water and approach a facedown victim with a suspected spinal injury.
Use the Head Splint to establish the airway and maintain in-line stabilization.

4. Perform throwing assist using a ring buoy with a line attached. Bring the victim to
the side of the pool.
5. Perform a reaching assist from land using equipment.
6. Front Crawl – 50 yards
7. Back Crawl – 50 yards
8. Sidestroke – 50 yards
9. Elementary Backstroke – 50 yards
10. Butterfly – 10 yards
11. Standing front dive from deck
4. All prospective candidates should be strongly encouraged to obtain and maintain current
certification in First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
Water Safety completion certificates will be awarded to instructor candidates who
1. Successfully participate in all course activities.
2. Successfully meet instructor candidate competencies.
3. Pass a written test with a grade of 80% or better
Critical Course Objectives –
1. Expand on information on the American Red Cross. Fundamentals of Instructor Training
(FIT) course;
2. Identify key elements and strategies for planning and preparing effective and safe swim
lessons.
3. Identify key class management principles, elements and strategies for planning, preparing
and conducting safe swim lessons.
4. Describe the importance of effective observation for teaching and how to develop it.
5. Observe swimming skills and accurately classify them and suggest appropriate
interventions to improve them.
Primary Resources – Swimming and Diving and the Water Safety
Instructor’s Manual
All participants must own their copy of

1. American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Candidate’s Kit (includes Water Safety
Instructor’s Manual, including CD-Rom, Swimming and Water Safety manual, Water Safety
Handbook, Learn – to Swim booklets) (StayWell Stock No. 651311)
Reading Expectations- Students must read all the assignments designated by the
American Red Cross Course
It also serves as a reference manual for instructors to review and enhance their knowledge and
understanding after course completion. Participants must watch all sections of the DVD set as it
is designed specifically for the course in the Red Cross Infant and Preschool Aquatics program;
the six levels of the Learn to Swim Program; the Basic Water Safety, Emergency Water Safety,
and Water Safety Instructor Aide courses; and, for eligible individuals, the Safety Training for
Swim Coaches course. The video segments on the DVDs are an integral part of each course and
the use of the DVD is required for Water Safety Instructor. No other videos may be substituted.
You will also be given practice – teaching assignments, which give you experience in presenting
information to course participants, conducting classes, and evaluating skills.
Expectations- All students registered for this class must meet the
requirements established by the American Red Cross for Certification.
This course is conducted with the expectation that participants will be
seeking employment as a Water Safety Instructor in our community.
Once certified the authorized is good for 2 calendar years. All authorizations expire on a
December 31. Initial authorization may be less or more depending on when training is
completed.
Clinton High Course Credit will be given with NO certification given if students miss more than
5 out of the 60 days per trimester. Students who score below 80 percent on each written section
and above 60 percent will eligible for course credit through CHS.
Units of Study-
Parent and Child Aquatics
Block Lesson Plan Development
Learn – to – Swim level 1 – Introduction to Water Skills
Learn - to – Swim level 2 – Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Learn – to – Swim level 3 – Stroke Development
Learn – to – Swim level 4 – Stroke Improvement
Learn – to – Swim level 5 – Stroke Refinement

Learn – to – Swim level 6 – Fitness Swimmer
Learn – to – Swim level 6 – Fundamentals of Diving
Learn – to – Swim level 6 – Lifeguard Readiness
Learn – to – Swim level 6 Personal Water Safety
Basic Water Rescue
Course Evaluation- Established by American Red Cross
1. Complete all reading assignments.
2. Attend ALL class sessions
3. Participate in all activities
4. Successfully complete all practice – teaching assignments
5. Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent (40 correct answers out
of 50 questions)
6. Demonstrate maturity and responsibility throughout course
Additional Information-
BASIC EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THIS COURSE AS DESIGNATED BY EACH LEARN
– TO – SWIM PROGRAM
EXAMPLES INCLUDE BUT NOT RESTRICTED TO
Kickboards
Ring Buoy’s
Life Jackets
Pull Buoy’s
Sinking Objects