WSI Course Outline - California Sports Center

Water Safety Instructor Course Outline 

Day 1 - Course Prerequisites 

(~6 hours) 

I. Introductions, age verification and paperwork 

II. Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) Introduction 

III. History and mission of the American Red Cross 

A. Matching activity 

B. 3 characteristics of heroes 

IV. Local chapters 

V. Learning environment from the learner's perspective 

A. MARS 

B. Characteristics of learners activity 

VI. Learning environment from the instructor's perspective 

A. Characteristics of effective instructors activity 

B. Presenting information 

C. Facilitating discussions and task groups 

Push, Pull & Balance 

D. Teaching psychomotor skills 

E. Managing the classroom 

F. Providing feedback 

G. Learning environment scenarios 

VII. Performance standards and assessment 

A. Assessing progress 

B. Teach to the standard and test to the objective 

C. Written exams 

VIII. ARC standards of quality performance 

A. Standardized course delivery 

B. Instructor agreement & code of conduct 

C. Authorized providers and authorized provider agreement 

D. Record keeping 

E. Certification & authorization 

F. Ensuring quality and consistency true/false activity 

IX. Serving the community 

A. Tell the truth/keep promises/respect individuals/be fair 

B. Five key committments 

C. Getting ready to teach activity 

D. Serving the community activity 

X. Prerequisite swim test 

A. To level 4 standard (attached) swim each of the following 

Front Crawl - 25 yards 

Back crawl - 25 yards 

Breaststroke - 25 yards 

Elementary backstroke - 25 yards 

Sidestroke - 25 yards 

Butterfly - 15 yards 

B. Maintain position on back for 1 minute 

C. Tread water for 1 minute 

Last Updated: Friday, 08 February, 2013 Page 1 of 5 2013_water_safety_instructor_course_outline.doc


Day 2 - Introduction & Skills (~4 hours) 

I. Course Introduction & instructor manual distribution 

A. Orientation to WSI program courses and materials 

B. Preparing to teach 

C. Class safety 

D. Teaching water safety 

E. Homework assignment 

II. Skills session 

A. HELP & Huddle 

B. Reaching & throwing assists 

C. Wading assists 

D. Removal from water 

E. Hip & shoulder support 

F. Head splint face up and face down 

Day 3 Lecture & Practice Teaching Assignments & Skills(~4 hours) 

I. Development & learning 

II. Teaching strategies 

III. Practice teaching overview & assignments - at least 5 

A. Practice teaching I - parent/child aquatics (~10 minutes) 

B. Practice teaching II - Preschool aquatics/LTS 1 & 2 (~15 minutes) 

C. Practice teaching III - LTS 3 (~15 minutes) 

D. Practice teaching IV - LTS 4 & 5 (~15 minutes) 

E. Practice teaching V - LTS 5 & 6 (~15 minutes) 

IV. Planning lessons 

V. Refining front crawl 

VI. Homework assignment 

VII. Skills sessions 

A. Practice teaching demonstration 

B. Stroke practice - front crawl with drills 



Day 4 Practice Teaching & Lecture & Skills (~4 hours) 

I. Holding & support techniques 

II. Overview of Parent and Child Aquatics 

A. Parent & child aquatics mini practice teaching assignment 

III. Refining back crawl 

IV. Homework assignment 

V. Skills sessions 

A. Parent and child aquatics skills 

B. Practice teaching parent and child aquatics skills 

C. Stroke practice - back crawl with drills 

Day 5 Lecture & Skills (~4 hours) 

I. Evaluation 

II. Overview of preschool aquatics 

A. Lesson planning assignment 

III. Recording & reporting progress 

IV. Parent communication activity 

V. Refining breaststroke 

VI. Homework assignment 

VII. Experimenting with hydrodynamic principles lecture 

VIII. Skills sessions 

A. Buoyancy 

B. Center of mass/center of buoyancy 

C. Resistance to movement 

D. Law of inertia 

E. Law of levers 

F. Holding & support techniques & basic aquatic skills 

G. Stroke practice - breaststroke with drills 

Day 6 - Practice Teaching & Lecture & Skills (~4 hours) 

I. Overview of Learn To Swim (LTS) levels 1 - 4 

II. Refining butterfly 

III. Course record forms & completion certificates 


V. Practice teaching I & evaluations 

VI. Skills sessions 

A. Reciprocal practice with front crawl, back crawl & breaststroke 

B. Stroke practice - butterfly with drills 




I. Observation & assessment 

II. Overview of Learn To Swim (LTS) levels 5 - 6 

III. Managing participants at different levels 

IV. Refining elementary backstroke 

V. Homework assignment 

VI. Practice Teaching II & evaluations 

VII. Skills session 

A. Stroke practice - elementary backstroke with drills 


I. Teaching starts 

II. Teaching turns 

III. Refining Sidestroke 


V. Practice teaching III (first half) & evaluations 


A. Starts progression 

B. Turns progression 

C. Reciprocal practice with butterfly, elementary backstroke & 

sidestroke 

D. Stroke practice - sidestroke with drills 


I. Customizing for adults 

II. Managing behavior 

III. Teaching diving from a diving board 


V. Practice teaching III (second half) & evaluations 


A. Diving progressions 

B. Teaching techniques for front crawl, back crawl & breaststroke 




I. Customizing for individuals with disabilities and other health conditions 

II. Disability scenarios 

III. Practice teaching IV & evaluations 

IV. Skills sessions 

A. Making accommodations for inclusion 

B. Teaching techniques for butterfly, elementary backstroke & 

sidestroke 

Day 11 - Practice Teaching & Lecture & Review & Testing (~4 

hours) 

I. Course review 

II. Local chapter & Training Service Center (TSC) information 

III. Staying informed - instructorscorner.org 

IV. American Red Cross Awards 

V. Additional practice teaching & evaluations as needed 

VI. Water Safety Instructor course final written exam 

50 questions/40 correct to pass

WSI Course Outline - California Sports Center

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