Water Safety
INSTRUCTOR
Become A Certified
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor!
Interested in Teaching Swim Lessons?
The American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) courses are designed to prepare candidates to plan, prepare, and teach Red Cross Learn-To-Swim and Water Safety programs.
What does training look like?
At the Aquatic Training Academy, a member of The Aquatic Connection, we offer the American Red Cross blended-learning training course which consists of a comprehensive online course and in-person training session.
The new online course features 8-hours of simulated learning where candidates interact with multiple scenarios that require them to use lesson planning and teaching strategies and apply water safety and classroom management concepts. The online course is completed at the candidate’s convenience and must be completed prior to our in-person training.
Our in-person training provides candidates with the opportunity to build their swimming technique, photographic eye, and practice giving and receiving valuable feedback from their instructor trainer. At the start of our in-person training, Instructor candidates are required to demonstrate the competency in pre-requisite skills which can be found below. The length of our in-person training is dependent upon our location’s schedules. See our locations for in-person dates and times of training.
How long is the course?
The length of our in-person training is dependent upon our training facility’s schedule. See our locations for in-person dates and times of training.
Basic Swim Instructor Training
Course Description:
The Basic Swim Instructor Course is perfect for instructors that will be teaching at swimming pools no more than 5 feet deep.
American Red Cross courses you can teach with this certification:
- Parent-Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
- Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
- Learn-To-Swim (ages 6+)
- Private swim lessons
- Whales Tales Water Safety program
Prerequisites for In-Person Training:
- Be at least 16 years of age by the end of training
- Pass swim skills evaluation: Candidates must demonstrate and proficiently complete 25 yards of the following strokes: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke
- Maintain back float for 1 minute
Water Safety Instructor Training
Course Description:
The comprehensive Water Safety Instructor course is perfect for instructors that will be teaching in swimming pools deeper than 5 feet.
American Red Cross courses you can teach with this certification:
- Parent-Child Aquatics (ages 6 months to 3 years)
- Preschool Aquatics (ages 4-5 years)
- Learn-To-Swim (ages 6+)
- Private swim lessons
- Water Safety Courses & Presentations:
- Basic Water Rescue
- Safety Training for Swim Coaches Programs
- and more…
Prerequisites for In-Person Training:
- Be at least 16 years of age by the end of training
- Pass swim skills evaluation: Candidates must demonstrate and proficiently complete 25 yards of the following strokes: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, and butterfly
- Maintain back float for 1 minute
- Maintain treading water for 1 minute
Does my certification expire?
Certification will include your specific instructor course along with access to all digital resources and the Red Cross curriculum. Certifications are valid for life upon the following requirements:
- The instructor teaches or co-teaches at least one course during a certification period (two years)
- Complete a recertification assessment within the 90 days before the expiration of the instructor certification (two years)
- The Instructors may also be periodically required to complete updates when the course is revised
*If the above requirements are not met, an instructor’s certification will expire after two years.*
“I loved my experience in this class, the time between pool and classroom was balanced perfectly. Sabrina was an amazing instructor and gave plenty of feedback to help me develop my lesson plans. The class was also fun as we made even the review skills into some games. I highly recommend this class if you’re looking to become a certified water safety instructor.“
Meghan Banks
Become An Elite Training Facility!
Interested in having lifeguard training come to you? Have a team of lifeguards that need training?
Chat with an Aquatic Trainer today to see if our Elite Training Facility Program is right for your organization!