Programs

This course offers two pathways to certifications - Water Safety Instructor and Basic Swim Instructor.

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Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification
The Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Course trains American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the 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.

Water Safety Instructor certifies instructors to teach
- Parent and Child Aquatics Levels 1 and 2
- Preschool Aquatics Levels 1–3
- Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–6
- Adult Swim courses
- Private swim lessons (for all levels listed above)
- Water safety courses and presentations, including:
+ Basic Water Rescue
+ Safety Training for Swim Coaches
+ Water Safety Today
+ Longfellow’s WHALE Tales
+ Other water safety presentations

WSI Prerequisites
1. At least 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled class;
2. Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
- Swim strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts for Learn-to-Swim Level 4 (Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Sidestroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Elementary Backstroke).
- Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
- Tread water for 1 minute.

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Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) Certification
The American Red Cross Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) certification is designed for those who have a desire to teach swimming and water safety knowledge and skills to children to a level of skill of water competency. Water competency is having the basic, minimum skills needed for water safety and survival.

Basic Swim Instructor certification allows instructors to teach
- Parent and Child Aquatics Levels 1 and 2
- Preschool Aquatics Levels 1–3
- Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–3
- Private swim lessons (for the levels listed above)
- Water safety courses and presentations, including:
+ General Water Safety
+ Home Pool Safety
+ Sun Safety
+ Longfellow’s WHALE Tales
+ Other water safety presentations

BSI Prerequisites
1. Be at least 16 years of age on or before the final scheduled lesson of this course.
2. Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
- Swim strokes consistent with the Stroke Performance Charts for Learn-to-Swim Level 3 (Front Crawl, Sidestroke, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke).
- Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
- Tread water for 1 minute.
3. Complete the water competency sequence: Step into water and totally submerge, float or tread water for 1 minute, rotate one full circle and orient to exit, swim 25 yards without stopping and exit the water.

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All online materials must be completed and reviewed prior to the course start date. Must attend and participate in all classes within session.

To request a refund, please use the Refund Request Form found on our website. Refund policy can be found in the notes section below and on printed receipt.

Instructor Information
Samson (Sam) Wheelock, Water Safety Instructor Trainer

Recreation Main Office
Monday - Friday (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
216-491-1295