The Aquatics Department offers students, faculty and staff, and the community the opportunity to enroll in certification classes. The classes are held at the Leach Center and are taught by certified American Red Cross instructors.
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Instructor Courses
Water Safety Instructor Training
The purpose of the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants’ progress.
- Be at least 16 years of age on or before the final scheduled lesson of this course.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
- 1. Swim the following strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4
- Front crawl—25 yards
- Back crawl—25 yards
- Breaststroke—25 yards
- Elementary backstroke—25 yards
- Sidestroke—25 yards
- Butterfly—15 yards
- 2. Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
- 3. Tread water for 1 minute
- Upon successful completion of the Water Safety Instructor course, instructor candidates should be able to:
- Identify key elements and strategies for planning and preparing effective and safe swim lessons.
- Identify key class management principles, elements and strategies for planning, preparing and conducting safe swim lessons.
- Describe the importance of effective observation for teaching and how to develop it.
- Observe swimming, headfirst entry and diving skills, and accurately classify them and suggest appropriate interventions to improve them.
- Develop the ability to effectively communicate about participants’ progress in swim lessons.
- Modify teaching to meet unexpected challenges, including dealing with participants who misbehave.
- Demonstrate the ability to accommodate participants who move, learn, communicate and behave differently.
- Upon successful completion, instructors will be American Red Cross Instructors and can teach:
- Upon successful completion of the Water Safety Instructor course, instructor candidates should be able to:
- Identify key elements and strategies for planning and preparing effective and safe swim lessons.
- Identify key class management principles, elements and strategies for planning, preparing and conducting safe swim lessons.
- Describe the importance of effective observation for teaching and how to develop it.
- Observe swimming, headfirst entry and diving skills, and accurately classify them and suggest appropriate interventions to improve them.
- Develop the ability to effectively communicate about participants’ progress in swim lessons.
- Modify teaching to meet unexpected challenges, including dealing with participants who misbehave.
- Demonstrate the ability to accommodate participants who move, learn, communicate and behave differently.
- Blended Learning
- Online Content: The Water Safety Instructor course’s blended learning features simulation learning. The online learning sessions provide about 7 hours of custom activities, games and instructional videos set in a vibrant three-dimensional pool environment. Instructor candidates interact with multiple scenarios that require them to use lesson planning and teaching strategies and apply water safety and classroom management concepts. Assessment and corrective feedback are integrated throughout the course. Once the blended course is set up and candidates are enrolled, they will have immediate access to the online course and digital course materials in the Red Cross Learning Center.
- In-person Session: It is expected that you complete the round of online simulation learning content prior to the corresponding in-person session. At the end of each round of online simulation learning, you have the option to print a Round Completion sheet. Be sure to print the appropriate Round Completion sheet and bring it to each in-person session. This course is not designed to teach you basic-level swimming skills. It is dedicated to developing the knowledge and skills you will need to plan and teach courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program.
- There are about nearly 7 hours of simulation learning and 23 hours of in-person course work at the facility. The total course time is about 30 hours.
Lifeguarding Instructor Training
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Basic Lifeguarding Instructor Course is to train instructors to teach the basic-level American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses.
- Is at least 17 years of age on the last day of the instructor course.
- Possesses a current basic-level certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.
- Has successfully completed the online Introduction to the Lifeguarding Instructor Course prior to the 1st day of class.
- Exhibit the characteristics required of an American Red Cross representative and role model.
- Follow the directives and procedures related to the conduct and administration of American Red Cross courses, including the Instructor Agreement and Instructor Code of Conduct.
- Conduct courses in a manner that helps participants to stay engaged in the learning process and meet course objectives.
- Perform applicable Lifeguarding skills to the standard at instructor-level skill proficiency.
- Plan for and ensure participants’ health and safety during training.
- Maintain complete and accurate records and reports.
- Plan, organize and conduct the Lifeguarding courses in accordance with Red Cross policies and procedures and the requirements of the specific course they will be teaching.
- Monitor participants’ practice, evaluate performance and provide corrective feedback and encouragement that is consistent with the skill assessment tools.
- Recognize that the requirements in the skill assessment tools are criteria for ascertaining the proficiency of a participant’s performance.
- Effectively use program materials and training equipment.
- Explain procedures for acknowledging course completion and accessing American Red Cross digital certificates.
- Deliver quality, consistent and standardized content by following the Lifeguarding Instructor’s Manual
- The instructor course includes four practice-teaching assignments that will give you experience in presenting information in a lecture or guided discussion format, using audiovisual equipment, conducting land-based and in-water skill sessions and scenarios, evaluating performance and giving feedback. A certified instructor trainer will evaluate your practice-teaching assignments. At the end of the course, you will take an instructor written exam covering the information taught in the instructor course.
- In order to receive certification as a Lifeguarding instructor, you must complete the online prerequisite, successfully complete the in-person precourse session, attend all course sessions, demonstrate proficiency in all skills, actively participate in all course activities, successfully complete all practice teaching assignments and score at least 80 percent on the instructor written exam.
