Dear Water Safety Instructor Candidate:
I am pleased to include you in the upcoming American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course. You have registered for a blended learning course, which alternates online simulation learning with in-person skills sessions. There are about nearly 7 hours of simulation learning and 23 hours, 30 minutes of in-person course work at the facility. The total course time is about 30 hours, 30 minutes including the precourse session and an optional skills session for starts from a block.
Class Time: Thursday May 30, 2019 – 8am to 8pm
Friday May 31, 2018 – 8am to 8pm
(Times are Approximant)
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. To participate in the Water Safety Instructor course, you must be at least 16 years old and be able to demonstrate the following skills:
1. Swim the following strokes consistent with American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 4 Stroke Performance Criteria:
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.
Please bring documentation (driver’s license, state identification card, birth certificate, or passport or other government-issued photo identification) as proof that you are at least 16 years old by the end of the course to the precourse session.
To be an effective Water Safety instructor, you must become completely familiar with American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety, the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor’s Manual, and other course materials and video segments viewed as part of the online simulation training. You will be given practice-teaching assignments, which will give you experience in presenting information and teaching skills to course candidates, conducting classes and evaluating skills.
Course completion certificates will be awarded to instructor candidates who successfully complete the precourse session, complete the online Orientation to the Swimming and Water Safety program, attend every class, successfully perform all practice-teaching assignments and pass the final written exam with a score of 80 percent or higher (correctly answer at least 40 of 50 questions). You must also demonstrate maturity and responsibility throughout the course. These qualities are demonstrated by, among other things:
Arriving at class on time and prepared.
Returning from breaks on time.
Being prepared for class activities, such as dressed in swimwear, when required.
Completing homework assignments, including preparing written lesson plans.
Demonstrating that effort was put forth toward homework assignments.
Behaving appropriately during activities.
Providing appropriate feedback, as requested, especially to peers after practice-teaching assignments.
Receiving feedback from the instructor trainer as well as peers in a professional manner.
Making an effort to improve your skills.
Treating others with respect.
Course work will include physical exercise. If you have a medical condition or disability, or if you have any questions about your ability to participate fully in this course, discuss them with your physician or health care provider and me before you start the course.
I look forward to having you as an instructor candidate in my class.
Sincerely,
Bruce Kleinsassser
Water Safety Instructor Trainer
Get registered online at www.plwc.life/signup , in house or over the phone at 605-882-6250