Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors

American Red Cross

Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors

Copyright © 2008 by The American National Red Cross

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced; stored in a retrieval system; ortransmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without prior written permission from the American National Red Cross Preparedness and Health andSafety Services.

Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors i ■

Many individuals shared in the development of the American Red Cross Guide for Training Safety Training forSwim Coaches Instructors in various supportive, technical and creative ways. This guide could not have beendeveloped without the dedication and support of American Red Cross employees and volunteers.

■ ii Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors

Acknowledgments

SECTION A: ADMINISTRATIONCourse Notes ..................................................................................................................................1Course Prerequisites ......................................................................................................................1Course Length ................................................................................................................................1Course Schedule ............................................................................................................................1Class Size .......................................................................................................................................1Facilities .........................................................................................................................................2Materials, Equipment and Supplies ...............................................................................................2Certification Requirements ............................................................................................................2

SECTION B: SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES INSTRUCTOR COURSEInstructor Course Outline ..............................................................................................................3Precourse Session ..........................................................................................................................5Session I .........................................................................................................................................9Session II .....................................................................................................................................31

SECTION C: APPENDICESAppendix 1: Administrative Terms and Procedures ....................................................................34Appendix 2: Sample Letter to Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor

Course Candidates ...................................................................................................................37Appendix 3: Record of Precourse Session Evaluation Results and Instructor

Candidate Progress Log ..........................................................................................................38Appendix 4: Precourse Written Exam .........................................................................................40Appendix 5: Practice-Teaching Assignments Form ....................................................................48Appendix 6: Practice-Teaching Assignment Sheet .....................................................................50Appendix 7: Practice-Teaching Feedback and Evaluation Form ................................................51Appendix 8: Final Written Exam ................................................................................................53Appendix 9: Instructor Course Evaluation Form ........................................................................59

Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors iii ■

CONTENTS

Course NotesThe purpose of the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor course is to train instructorcandidates to teach the Safety Training for SwimCoaches course. This course prepares instructorcandidates to use course and presentationmaterials, conduct training sessions and evaluatethe progress of candidates.

Course PrerequisitesTo be eligible for the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor course, the instructorcandidates must—■ Be at least 16 years of age on or before the last

day of the instructor course.■ Possess a Fundamentals of Instructor Training

Certificate issued within the last year orpossess a current national Health and SafetyServices Instructor Authorization Certificate.

■ Successfully complete the precourse session.This includes passing the precourse writtenexam with a score of 80 percent or higher anddemonstrating competency in the precourseskills evaluation. (See page 7 of the precoursesession for a listing of these skills.)

Course LengthThis course is designed to be taught in approximately8 hours. This includes a precourse session of about 1 hour, 30 minutes. This estimate is based on—■ Six instructor candidates per instructor trainer.■ The knowledge, skills, experience and abilities

of the instructor candidates.

■ The experience and abilities of the instructortrainer.

■ The recommended equipment being availableat each session.

The course time includes the minimum timeneeded for practice teaching and class activities.

Course ScheduleThroughout the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor course, instructor candidatesare expected to complete assignments and preparefor sessions outside the scheduled class time. The course should be scheduled so instructorcandidates have at least several hours betweeneach session to prepare, including between theprecourse session and Session 1. Schedulingsufficient time between sessions allows instructorcandidates to become familiar with theinformation they are expected to know andpractice teach. The opportunity to appropriatelyprepare will help each candidate perform withincreased confidence, resulting in more effectivelearning for everyone.

Class SizeThe course length is based on a ratio of sixinstructor candidates per instructor trainer. If thecourse has more than six candidates, anotherinstructor trainer should co-teach or the courseshould be extended by 45 minutes per additionalinstructor candidate. If there are fewer than sixinstructor candidates, additional people may benecessary so that instructor candidates canachieve the course objectives. Contact your local

Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors 1 ■

Section AAdministration

American Red Cross chapter for assistance inthis situation, and document it on the CourseRecord.

FacilitiesClassroom Space

The sessions in the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor course require classroom spacesuitable for holding discussions, viewing videosegments and taking final written exams. Theclassroom should be conveniently located forinstructor candidates and be equipped with thenecessary teaching aids and materials.

Swimming Area

A pool is recommended for skills practice,practice teaching and skills evaluation.

An adequate number of certified lifeguardswith no duties beyond those of supervising theclass should be present during all water sessions.

Materials, Equipment and SuppliesMaterials, equipment and supplies are listed at thebeginning of each lesson plan. All instructorcandidates must have a copy of the SafetyTraining for Swim Coaches Supplement,Swimming and Water Safety manual and the SafetyTraining for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual.

Certification RequirementsTo be certified as a Safety Training for SwimCoaches instructor, instructor candidates must—■ Successfully complete the precourse session.■ Attend and actively participate in all course

sessions.■ Successfully complete class activities,

including the required practice-teachingassignments.

■ Score at least 80 percent (12 correct answers outof 15 questions) on the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor Course final written exam. Instructor candidates must also demonstrate

throughout the course that they are mature andresponsible. Instructor trainers assess maturityand responsibility by observing behaviors. Thebehaviors include, but are not limited to,instructor candidates—■ Arriving to class on time and being prepared.■ Returning from breaks on time.■ Being prepared for class activities, such as

having homework completed and beingdressed in swimsuits, when required.

■ Completing homework assignments.■ Demonstrating that effort was put forth toward

homework assignments. For example, thesubject matter is appropriate and complete andpresented in a professional manner.

■ Behaving appropriately during activities. Forexample, during practice-teaching assignments,the behavior remains safe and reasonable tothe situation.

■ Providing appropriate feedback, as requested,especially to peers after practice-teachingassignments.

■ Receiving feedback from the instructor traineras well as peers in a professional manner.

■ Treating others with respect.Instructor trainers should meet with instructor

candidates who are failing to meet any courserequirement and discuss what actions theinstructor candidate must demonstrate before heor she can successfully complete the course.

Upon successful completion of the SafetyTraining for Swim Coaches Instructor course,instructor candidates will receive an AmericanRed Cross Health and Safety Services InstructorAuthorization Certificate (C3005) indicatingSafety Training for Swim Coaches.

■ 2 Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors

INSTRUCTOR COURSE OUTLINE

Precourse Session

Topic TimeIntroduction to the Precourse Session 15 minutesPrecourse Written Exam 20 minutesBreak 5 minutesPrerequisite Rescue Skills Evaluation 40 minutesWrap-Up 10 minutesTotal 1 hour, 30 minutes

Session 1

Topic TimeCourse Introduction 10 minutesOrientation to the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Course

and Materials 25 minutesAdapting Your Courses 5 minutesTeaching Strategies 5 minutesFacilitating Discussions and Task Groups 15 minutesPlanning and Preparing to Teach 15 minutesPractice-Teaching Overview and Assignments 20 minutesConducting Skill Sessions 10 minutesObserving and Evaluating Skill Performance 15 minutesAdministering the Final Written Exam 5 minutesConducting Review Courses and Challenges 15 minutesAmerican Red Cross Administrative Policies and Procedures 25 minutesAmerican Red Cross Awards 5 minutesStaying Informed 5 minutesPreparation for Session 2 5 minutesSession 1, Total Time 3 hours


Section BSafety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course

Session 2

Topic TimeReview 5 minutesPractice-Teaching Assignment 1 70 minutesBreak/Preparation for Practice-Teaching Assignment II 10 minutesPractice-Teaching Assignment II 90 minutesBreak 10 minutesSafety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course Final Written Exam 15 minutesClosing 10 minutesSession 2, Total Time 3 hours, 30 minutes

Total Course Time 8 hours


PRECOURSE SESSION

Session Length1 hour, 30 minutes

Materials, Equipment and Supplies

■ Record of Precourse Session Evaluation Results and Instructor Candidate Log (Appendix 3)■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Precourse Written Exam and Answer Sheets (one for

every prospective instructor candidate; Appendix 4)■ Pens or pencils■ American Red Cross identification■ Reaching-assist equipment, such as reaching poles or shepherd’s crooks■ Throwing-assist equipment, such as ring buoys or throw bags■ Wading-assist equipment, such as rescue tubes or kick boards■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual (one copy for each instructor candidate)■ American Red Cross Universal Certificate (one for each instructor candidate)■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course outline (one for each instructor candidate)

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO THE PRECOURSE SESSIONTime: 15 minutes

Activity:■ Welcome instructor candidates. Introduce yourself as an American Red Cross

instructor trainer. Introduce any co-instructor trainers present.■ Have instructor candidates briefly introduce themselves.■ Explain facility policies and procedures, including smoking policies and emergency

procedures. Give the locations of emergency exits, restrooms, water fountains andbreak areas. Identify the location of the automated external defibrillator (AED) andfirst aid kit.

■ Tell prospective instructor candidates that to participate in the Safety Training forSwim Coaches Instructor course, they must be at least 16 years old on or before thefinal scheduled session of the course.■ Verify the eligibility of prospective candidates by checking their proof of age,

which can be a driver’s license, state identification card, birth certificate orpassport.

■ If an individual does not meet the age requirement for course enrollment, suggestthat he or she enroll in the next available Safety Training for Swim CoachesInstructor course once he or she meets the age requirement.

■ Explain to prospective instructor candidates that they are about to participate in aprecourse session for the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim CoachesInstructor course.


■ The first part of the precourse session includes a written exam covering basic-levelwater safety knowledge. The second part is an evaluation of their basic rescueskills.

■ Explain to instructor candidates that they are expected to successfully demonstratethe following basic rescue skills without coaching:■ Reaching assist with equipment■ Reaching assist without equipment from the deck■ Reaching assist without equipment from a position in the water■ Throwing assist■ Wading assist with equipment■ Hip and shoulder support■ Head splint technique■ Head and chin support—face-up ■ Head and chin support—face-down

■ Explain to prospective instructor candidates that if they are unable to satisfactorilyperform the skills during the precourse session, they are not eligible to continue in theSafety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course. Instead, encourage them toparticipate in a basic level or review course before reattempting the instructor course.

TOPIC: PRECOURSE WRITTEN EXAMTime: 20 minutes

Activity:■ Inform prospective instructor candidates that they will now take the precourse written

exam (Appendix 4).■ Explain that instructor candidates must pass the precourse written exam with a score of

80 percent or better (20 correct answers out of 25 questions).■ Distribute an exam and answer sheet to each prospective instructor candidate.■ Tell prospective instructor candidates to use a pencil, write only on the answer sheet

and mark answers clearly.■ Score the exam using the answer key (Appendix 4).■ As individuals finish their exams, privately and individually inform them of their

results.

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Prospective instructor candidates who successfully pass theprecourse written exam may proceed to take the prerequisite rescue skills evaluation.Those who do not pass the written exam may not continue in this course and should beadvised to complete a basic-level Safety Training for Swim Coaches course to learn theknowledge and skills and take the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course ata later date.


TOPIC: BREAKTime: 5 minutes

■ Prospective instructor candidates should change into swimsuits for the prerequisiterescue skills evaluation.

TOPIC: PREREQUISITE RESCUE SKILLS EVALUATIONTime: 40 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Notes:

■ When determining a prospective instructor candidate’s ability to pass the prerequisiterescue skills evaluation, the instructor trainer must evaluate the individual’s overallperformance without coaching. The prerequisite rescue skills evaluation assesses theindividual’s competency and understanding of these skills.

■ Evaluate each prospective instructor candidate’s performance by using the skill chartsin the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual. The following chartidentifies the location of each chart in the instructor’s manual.

■ An adequate number of certified lifeguards should be on duty and conducting patronsurveillance during all in-water sessions.

Prerequisite Rescue Skills Page Reference

Reaching Assist with Equipment 2-44

Reaching Assist without Equipment from the Deck 2-44

Reaching Assist without Equipment from a Position in the Water 2-44

Throwing Assist 2-45

Wading Assist with Equipment 2-46

Hip and Shoulder Support 2-47

Head Splint Technique 2-47

Head and Chin Support—Face-Up 2-47

Head and Chin Support—Face-Down 2-47


TOPIC: WRAP-UPTime: 10 minutes

Activity:■ Prior to bringing the group back together, inform prospective instructor candidates

privately and individually of the results of their skill evaluations.■ Advise those who did not demonstrate competency in the precourse skill evaluation that

they cannot continue in the instructor course at this time. Suggest to those individualsthat they enroll in a basic-level or review course to gain the necessary knowledge andskills. Give the prospective instructor candidate the name of the appropriate contact atthe local American Red Cross chapter for available remediation opportunities. Explainthat once they have gained the necessary knowledge and skills, they may enroll inanother instructor course that will include another precourse session.

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Passing a prospective instructor candidate who hasquestionable skills leads to the following problems:

■ Standards and quality of the course are compromised.■ Safety of the instructor candidates is compromised.■ You may be setting up the instructor candidate to fail the Safety Training for Swim

Coaches Instructor course. He or she may not have the knowledge or the ability todemonstrate skills during practice-teaching assignments.

■ You may be slowing the course down to accommodate the instructor candidate’sinadequacies. This will delay the learning process for the other instructor candidates.

■ Constant counseling sessions with the prospective instructor candidate may be necessary.■ Additional time will be needed to bring the instructor candidate up to the required

level of competency.■ The instructor candidate may experience “hurt feelings” if he or she does not

successfully pass the course. With an instructor candidate who is a minor, you mayhave to deal with angry parents.

■ Have all instructor candidates return to their seats.■ Respond to instructor candidates’ questions.■ Explain to instructor candidates who have successfully completed the precourse session

that they have demonstrated all of the required knowledge and skills required to receivea basic-level Safety Training for Swim Coaches certificate. Provide each instructorcandidate with the certificate with the completion date of the precourse session.

■ Provide instructor candidates with information on the first class session, including thedates, times and location of the class.

■ Provide each instructor candidate with the following materials:■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course outline■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual

■ Explain to instructor candidates that they should bring these materials to each classsession. Also, ask instructor candidates to bring their Fundamentals of InstructorTraining Participant’s Manual to the first class session.

■ Assignment prior to next class session:■ Read Section 1: Administration of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches

Instructor’s Manual


SESSION 1

Session Length3 hours


■ Name tags or name tents (one for each instructor candidate)■ Course outlines (one for each instructor candidate)■ Course Record and Course Record Addendum■ Lifeguarding Activity Report■ Aquatics Leader Activity Report■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual■ Swimming and Diving DVD■ (Optional) Lifeguarding DVD Set■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Program Release Connection, Part I (one for every two instructor

candidates)■ Practice-Teaching Assignments Form (one for each instructor candidate; Appendix 5)■ Practice-Teaching Feedback and Evaluation Form (one for each instructor candidate; Appendix 7)■ Newsprint and markers■ Pens or pencils■ American Red Cross identification

TOPIC: COURSE INTRODUCTIONTime: 10 minutes

Activity:■ Congratulate instructor candidates on their successful completion of the precourse

session and welcome them to the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course.■ Introduce yourself as an American Red Cross instructor trainer and briefly share your

background. If applicable, have co-instructor trainers introduce themselves and sharetheir backgrounds.

■ Review facility policies and procedures, including smoking policies and emergencyprocedures. Give locations of restrooms, locker rooms, water fountains and break areas.Also, identify the location of the automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid kit.

■ Review the course outline, which includes dates and times of class meetings, includingthe date on which the final written exam is scheduled.


Key Points:■ To receive the instructor course completion certificate for the American Red

Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course, you must—■ Attend and actively participate in all course sessions.■ Successfully complete class activities, including the required practice-teaching

assignments.■ Score at least 80 percent (12 correct answers out of 15 questions) on the Safety

Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course final written exam.■ Upon successful completion of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor

course, you will receive an American Red Cross Health and Safety ServicesInstructor Authorization Certificate indicating Safety Training for Swim Coaches.

■ Instructor candidates must also demonstrate throughout the course that they aremature and responsible. Instructor trainers assess your maturity andresponsibility by observing behaviors. The behaviors include, but are not limitedto—■ Arriving to class on time and being prepared.■ Returning from breaks on time.■ Being prepared for class activities, such as having homework completed and

being dressed in swimsuits, when required.■ Completing homework assignments.■ Demonstrating that effort was put forth toward homework assignments. For

example, the subject matter is appropriate and complete and presented in aprofessional manner.

■ Providing appropriate feedback, as requested, especially to peers afterpractice-teaching assignments.

■ Receiving feedback from the instructor trainer, as well as peers, in aprofessional manner.

■ Treating others with respect.


TOPIC: ORIENTATION TO THE SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES COURSE AND MATERIALSTime: 25 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Refer instructor candidates to the course options table on page1-2 of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual.

The Safety Training for Swim Coaches Course

Key Points:■ The purpose of the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches

course is to provide training in aquatic safety for competitive swim coaches andofficials, athletic trainers, athletes participating in aquatic activities, aquaticexercise trainers and other individuals involved in aquatic competition or exerciseprograms.

■ There are two course options available for Safety Training for Swim Coaches:■ Full-Course Option – an 8-hour course, which includes lecture and an in-

water skill session.■ There are no prerequisites for entry into this course option. However,

participants must be comfortable in chest-deep water.■ Fast-Track Option – a 4-hour course, which includes brief lecture and an in-

water skill session.■ To participate in this course option, participants must successfully

complete and pass the online written exam available on the USA SwimmingWeb site. Participants will be sent a confirming e-mail that they havesuccessfully passed the written exam. The confirming e-mail must bepresented at the beginning of the course. Participants must also becomfortable in chest-deep water.

■ Review courses, challenges and “written exam only” courses are also available inaddition to the two course options. These courses will be discussed later in thiscourse.

■ Upon successful completion of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course, eachparticipant will receive an American Red Cross Universal Certificate indicatingSafety Training for Swim Coaches, which is valid for 3 years.

■ To receive the course completion certificate for the American Red Cross SafetyTraining for Swim Coaches course, the participant must—■ Attend all class sessions.■ Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.■ Correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions on the final written exam

(20 correct answers out of 25 questions).


Additional Courses

Activity:■ Explain that Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructors can also teach or lead the

following courses and presentations:■ Basic Water Rescue■ Water Safety presentations

■ Explain that you will briefly highlight the course and presentations and the materialsthat support them.

Basic Water Rescue

Key Points:■ The Basic Water Rescue course is approximately 4 hours (4 hours, 20 minutes

with optional video).■ The purpose of Basic Water Rescue is to provide individuals, such as public safety

personnel, aquatic fitness instructors and aquatic therapists, with the knowledgeand skills necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies.This course will also prepare individuals for aquatic emergencies by teachingthem how to protect themselves while assisting others.

■ The instructional outline and lesson plan can be found in the American Red CrossWater Safety Instructor’s Manual or on the Lifeguarding Instructor’s CD-ROM.

■ Course participants receive either the Basic Water Rescue reference guide orSwimming and Water Safety.

■ Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an American RedCross Universal Certificate indicating Basic Water Rescue, which is valid for 3years.

■ To receive the course completion certificate, participants must—■ Attend and participate in all course sessions.■ Successfully perform all required skills.■ Pass the final written exam with a score of 80 percent or better (20 correct

answers out of 25 questions).

Water Safety Presentations

Key Points:■ Water Safety presentations are available on the American Red Cross Instructor’s

Corner (www.redcross.org/instructorscorner) and include Water Safety Today,General Water Safety, Home Pool Safety and Parent Orientation to SwimmingLessons.

■ The Water Safety presentations can be taught by authorized Safety Training forSwim Coaches, Water Safety or Lifeguarding instructors or Aquatics leaders.

■ The purpose of the 2-hour Water Safety Today presentation is to teach individualshow to recognize, prevent and respond to emergencies in, on or around the water.

■ The 30-minute General Water Safety presentation is designed to provideindividuals with an awareness of the importance of water safety training and toprovide general information about being safe in, on or around the water.


■ The 30-minute Home Pool Safety presentation is intended to provide home poolowners and apartment pool users with information to keep their family andguests safe in an aquatic environment.

■ The purpose of the 30-minute Parent Orientation to Swimming Lessonspresentation is to give parents an orientation to American Red Cross swimminglessons offered at local aquatic facilities.

■ Either the Water Safety Handbook or Swimming and Water Safety can be used inthe presentations as participant materials.

■ Participants are eligible to receive course attendance certificates.

Safety Training for Swim Coaches Course Materials

Activity:■ Point out the materials that instructor candidates will use during the course. These

include the following:■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual ■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Supplement■ Swimming and Water Safety manual■ Swimming and Diving Skills DVD ■ Lifeguarding DVD Set, Disc 1 (optional)

■ Explain that it is important for instructor candidates to be familiar with all the courseproducts and materials.

■ Tell candidates that you will briefly review the materials and discuss the features.

Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual

Key Points:■ The American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual

provides the main source of information for instructor candidates in this course.■ It contains key points from the lecture portion of the course and additional

information related to the topics covered during the course.■ It is also used for planning, preparing and conducting the Safety Training for

Swim Coaches course.

Activity:■ Refer candidates to the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual. Have

them turn to the appropriate section as you briefly discuss how they can use eachsection when conducting their courses.

■ Explain that the instructor’s manual has the following sections:■ Section 1: Administration

■ Introduces the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course■ Describes the course options available to participants■ Describes course organization and completion procedures■ Provides information on instructor responsibilities


■ Sections 2-3: Teaching Tools■ These sections contain:

■ Specific course notes■ Course outlines■ Lesson objectives■ Lesson plans

■ Section 4: Appendices■ Contains useful supplementary material that is referred to in appropriate places

in this manual.

Safety Training for Swim Coaches Supplement

Key Points:■ The information in the supplement centers on possible life-threatening or

hazardous situations a coach may encounter in and around the water and thetechniques and skills for preventing and dealing with them.

■ It includes workout and warm-up procedures, racing starts, event safety,emergency planning, electrical safety, weather and environmental conditions andhandling of medical conditions and injuries.

■ The material presented in this supplement may be adapted to meet the individualneeds of each aquatic facility or swim club.

■ The supplement is available online as a download on both the Red Cross(www.redcross.org) and USA Swimming (www.usaswimming.org) Web sites. Thereis no charge for the supplement.

■ When viewing the supplement on-line, readers can—■ Click on hyperlinks to access information, such as publications, resources and

sample forms.■ Scroll over highlighted common swimming terms to display a definition.

■ The supplement, along with the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safetymanual, is required material for the American Red Cross Safety Training forSwim Coaches course.

Swimming and Water Safety Manual

Key Points:■ Instructor candidates use the Swimming and Water Safety manual as a resource

throughout this course, especially when preparing for practice-teachingassignments.

■ The Swimming and Water Safety manual provides information on a wide spectrumof aquatic activities.

■ In addition to its use in the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course, the manualis a great resource for aquatic activity and safety. ■ It provides detailed descriptions of basic aquatic skills and current research

related to the six most widely used swimming strokes: front crawl, back crawl,breaststroke, butterfly, elementary backstroke and sidestroke.

■ It also covers the history of swimming and diving, safety guidelines and rescuetechniques, starts and turns, diving, fitness and training.


Video

Key Points:■ The “Entries for Swimming” video segment on the American Red Cross Swimming

and Diving DVD is an integral part of the course and use of the video is requiredviewing for the course. No other videos may be substituted unless expresslyindicated. If the video segment cannot be shown, the class may not be completedat that time.

■ Certain segments of Disc 1 of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding DVD Set arelisted for optional, but highly recommended, viewing in the course. Thesesegments include:■ Reaching Assist and Throwing Assist portions of the Rescue Skills, Part 1

video segment■ Head Splint Technique—Shallow Water and Head and Chin Support—

Shallow Water portions of the Head, Neck and Back Injuries, Part 1 videosegment

■ Cold-Related Emergencies■ Heat-Related Emergencies

TOPIC: ADAPTING YOUR COURSESTime: 5 minutes

Key Points:■ The Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches course is designed to be flexible

to meet the needs of both participants and the organization requesting thetraining.

■ The course lesson plans should always be followed as closely as possible, but thereare steps you can take to tailor the course to your audience.

■ To adapt your course, you need to know and understand the needs of the facilitywhere you are conducting the course:■ The organization’s or company’s reasons for offering the Safety Training for

Swim Coaches course■ The background of participants, including—

■ Prior training, such as lifeguarding, first aid, CPR or AED.■ Job responsibilities.■ To whom they report (chain of command).■ The type and frequency of specific incidents at the site.■ Established emergency procedures. Is there a written emergency action

plan (EAP) in place?■ The type of rescue equipment available at the facility.■ Facility layout (e.g., environment, size and shape).

■ By knowing and understanding the facility needs, you will be able to providespecific examples for participants when demonstrating skills and be able tocustomize course activities specific to the facility.


■ Since course delivery depends on many factors, such as the availability ofclassroom space, aquatic facility space, equipment and time, you may have toreorganize course outlines to accommodate these factors. If you reorganize thelesson plans, make sure all the course content in the lesson plans is covered andthat all course objectives are met. All course objectives must be met for aparticipant to earn certification.

■ Class movement must be considered when planning each session and may requiremodifications to a lesson plan. For example, when progressing through a singleskill sequence, different locations may be used for discussion, demonstration, landpractice and shallow-water practice.

■ Take into consideration when session planning that movement into and out of thewater may significantly add to time requirements for the session.

TOPIC: TEACHING STRATEGIESTime: 5 minutes

Key Points:■ You were taught in the Fundamentals of Instructor Training course that you play

a significant role in creating and maintaining a positive learning environment as aRed Cross instructor.

■ You can promote learning by—■ Building on participants’ existing knowledge.■ Maintaining enthusiasm for the learning process.■ Customizing course content to the abilities and needs of the participants.■ Setting ground rules and requirements for participation.■ Emphasizing key points within each lesson.■ Asking open-ended questions and waiting for responses.■ Listening and managing silence.■ Looking for group consensus when answering participants’ questions.

■ A good instructor must have a firm grasp of instructional strategies.■ Four common strategies are used in Red Cross courses. They are—

■ Presenting information.■ Facilitating discussions.■ Facilitating task groups.■ Teaching psychomotor skills.

■ You will have several opportunities in this course to practice some of these strategies.

TOPIC: FACILITATING DISCUSSIONS AND TASK GROUPSTime: 15 minutes

Key Points:■ The Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual includes lesson plans

that are designed so you can maximize learning by facilitating class discussionand interaction.


■ Remember that education generally has two major components—content andprocess.■ Content is the information being taught.■ Process is how the content is taught.

■ Content and process are equally important in promoting learning. You must knowthe content thoroughly and be skilled in using processes that promote learning.

■ In the Fundamentals of Instructor Training course, you learned that facilitation isbased on the concepts of push, pull and balance.

Activity:■ Review the concepts of push, pull and balance with instructor candidates. Have them

think back to their basic-level Safety Training for Swim Coaches course, and ask themto cite examples of each concept.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What is the concept of push in facilitation?”

Answer: The concept of push is when information flows mostly from facilitator toparticipants. An example of push is the lecture portion of Guidelines for ResponsibleCoaching in Chapter 1 of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Supplement.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What is the concept of pull in facilitation?”

Answer: The concept of pull is when the facilitator engages participants in discussionthrough interactive exercises, asking and answering questions or other processes thatactively involve participants in learning. Examples of pull are the activities throughout theSafety Training for Swim Coaches course. Examples of pull include asking questions, suchas “How might accidents occur at an aquatic facility?”

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What is the concept of balance in facilitation?”

Answer: The concept of balance involves encouraging appropriate levels of participation,providing appropriate depth of content and maintaining a non-judgmental approach. Anexample of balance is in the portion on swim practice safety, where there is some lectureintegrated into several activities.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What are some benefits of facilitation?”

Answer: Responses should include the following:

■ The instructor can evaluate and focus learning activities on a group’s needs.■ The instructor can build on participants’ previous knowledge and skills.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “Why do participants learn more effectively and retaininformation when they are actively engaged in the learning process than whenthey are passively receiving information, as in a lecture?”

Answer: Responses should include the following:

■ Participants can associate previous knowledge and skills with new information.■ Participants can learn from one another.■ Participants remain engaged and interested.


■ Ask instructor candidates, “How can you encourage class interaction?”

Answer: Responses may include the following:

■ Do not just lecture to participants.■ Use open-ended questions (e.g., questions that begin with “who,” “what,” “when,”

“where,” “why” or “how”) and wait for responses.■ Listen and manage silence.■ Refer participant questions back to the group for discussion and resolution instead of

immediately answering them.■ Refer participants to skill cards, skill sheets or other participant materials.■ Give and receive feedback.■ Maintain a non-judgmental perspective.■ Stay on topic.■ Manage time effectively.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What are some benefits of instructor-facilitated discussions?”


■ Instructors ensure that participants stay on task.■ Instructors ensure that participants stay on topic.■ Instructors ensure that all participants are involved.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What are some benefits of task groups?”


■ Instructors ensure that all participants are involved.■ Participants work more independently of the instructor.■ Many participants are involved simultaneously.

TOPIC: PLANNING AND PREPARING TO TEACHTime: 15 minutes

Key Point:■ As presented in the Fundamentals of Instructor Training course, an effective

instructor must also be able to manage the class and provide a good learningenvironment.

Activity:■ Refer instructor candidates to pages 9-15 of the Fundamentals of Instructor Training

Participant’s Manual.


■ Ask instructor candidates, “What does the mnemonic BASIC stand for?”

Answer: The correct answer is—

■ Bridging.■ Assigning tasks.■ Summarizing.■ Intervening.■ Climate setting.

■ Review the concept of class management with candidates.■ Ask instructor candidates, “What types of things can you do as an instructor to

manage the class, the participants and the learning process effectively?”


■ Make participants feel welcome and comfortable.■ Have equipment ready for use at the start of each class session.■ Know the subject matter and the flow of the course.■ Give clear, easy-to-understand directions.■ Give feedback appropriately.■ Bridge from topic to topic.■ Summarize material.■ Intervene as appropriate to keep everyone on track.■ Maintain a non-judgmental atmosphere.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What additional considerations, if any, should be takeninto account because, in the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course, theclassroom is often on a pool deck?”

Answers: Responses may include the following:

■ Both settings must be prepared and ready to go prior to the start of class.■ Instructors must ensure that participants can see and hear despite additional

challenges of a potentially more dynamic setting.■ Pool space is often shared during classes.

Participant Health and Safety

Key Points:■ The Red Cross has a responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of the

participants enrolled in its courses.■ As a Red Cross instructor, you must make the teaching environment as safe as

possible. Not only must you protect participants against health risks, but youmust do your best to safeguard participants against risk of injury while they areengaged in skill practice.


■ If the teaching environment is not safe, the quality and effectiveness of yourcourse will suffer. Participants who feel they are at risk for injury or illness maybecome distracted. These same feelings may also affect your ability to teach.

■ You should strive to make the teaching environment safe by taking the followingsteps:■ Notify participants about health and safety requirements before enrolling in a

course. A sample letter to course participants (Appendix D in the instructor’smanual) is one way to communicate this information.

■ Protect participants from health risks. Procedures outlined in programmaterials are designed to limit the risk that the activity involved in skillpractice could cause injury or illness.

■ Be thoroughly prepared. Careful preparation includes considering potentialhazards and managing safety concerns before a course starts. You shouldensure that the classroom and practice area are free of hazards. You shouldalso know the emergency action plan (EAP) for the facility in which you areteaching. This includes information such as emergency telephone numbers andevacuation routes.

■ Carefully supervise skill sessions. You should caution participants aboutinappropriate actions while practicing skills.

TOPIC: PRACTICE-TEACHING OVERVIEW AND ASSIGNMENTSTime: 20 minutes

Key Points:■ The purpose of the practice-teaching assignments is to give you experience in—

■ Conducting lessons from the instructor’s manual.■ Giving directions.■ Managing and conducting water-based rescues, including bridging from key

points to video segments to skill sessions.■ Coaching and prompting participants.■ Evaluating performance and providing corrective feedback to help

participants develop and improve their skills.■ Completing course activities within suggested timeframes.■ Ensuring participants’ health and safety during training.

■ The steps for the practice-teaching process are as follows:■ Each instructor candidate prepares a teaching session by reviewing the

appropriate sections of the lesson plans in the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor’s Manual, DVDs, if applicable, and participant materials.Every instructor candidate is responsible for arranging participants and/orequipment depending on the activity.

■ Each instructor candidate conducts his or her assigned topic following theappropriate lesson plan in the instructor’s manual until the instructor trainerindicates that time is up.

■ The remaining instructor candidates act as course participants, closelyfollowing the directions.


■ Instructor candidates evaluate themselves on organizational ability, knowledge ofthe subject matter and presentation and communication skills. The instructorcandidate’s evaluation is followed by peer- and instructor-trainer evaluations.

■ Each instructor candidate is expected to successfully complete two practice-teaching assignments.

■ In Practice-Teaching Assignment I, each instructor candidate will conduct alecture-based session using the instructor’s manual and DVDs, if applicable.

■ Each assignment includes presenting key points, conducting activities, bridging toand showing a portion of the video segments (if applicable) and answeringparticipants’ questions related to the topic.

■ In Practice-Teaching Assignment II, each instructor candidate conducts a skillsession for a water-based rescue using the instructor’s manual. The assignmentbegins at the water with the assumption that just prior to the skill session,participants viewed the video segment that provides an explanation anddemonstration of the skill. Every instructor candidate is expected to effectivelyand efficiently set up and conduct the skill session, demonstrate the skill, leadparticipants through the skill and evaluate and provide feedback on theparticipants’ skills.

Practice-Teaching Assignments

Activity:■ Distribute copies of the Practice-Teaching Assignments Form (Appendix 5) and

Practice-Teaching Feedback and Evaluation Form (Appendix 7) to each instructorcandidate.

■ Assign each instructor candidate two practice-teaching assignments: one Practice-Teaching Assignment I and one Practice-Teaching Assignment II.

■ Have instructor candidates complete the assignment forms with details about theirassignments.

■ Explain that instructor candidates should prepare their first practice-teachingassignments for the next class session. Instructor candidates should follow the outlinesin the instructor’s manual for their assigned practice-teaching topic. Instructorcandidates should also be familiar with the information on the DVD and participantmaterials related to their topic. They should be prepared to answer participants’questions.

■ Remind instructor candidates that they will also be responsible for observing andproviding corrective feedback to their peers.

■ Remind instructor candidates that feedback will follow this order:1. Presenters critique their own teaching session.2. Other instructor candidates give feedback.3. The instructor trainer gives feedback and summarizes.

■ Briefly review the statements on the Practice-Teaching Feedback and Evaluation Formto highlight the types of criteria upon which instructor candidates will be evaluated.

■ Answer questions instructor candidates may have concerning their practice-teachingassignment, or clarify areas of confusion.


Instructor Trainer’s Note: Instructor candidates should be given time to prepare for thepractice-teaching assignments. If the schedule does not allow for a day between sessions,be sure to allow at least several hours preparation time between Session 1 and Session 2.

TOPIC: CONDUCTING SKILL SESSIONSTime: 10 minutes

Key Points:■ A significant part of class management during the Red Cross Safety Training for

Swim Coaches course is preparing for and conducting the skill session.■ Conducting the skill session involves responsibility for—

■ Showing video segments (if applicable) or demonstrating skills where appropriate.

■ Coaching participants through the skill sessions.■ Keeping the skill sessions running smoothly.■ Providing sufficient time for all participants to practice a skill.■ Observing and evaluating skill performance, identifying errors promptly and

providing corrective or positive feedback to help participants improve theirskills.

■ Encouraging participants to continue practicing to improve their skills whileyou minimize interruptions.

■ Maintaining a safe environment during skill sessions, including the proper useof equipment.

■ Supervising instructor aides.■ The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) created an understanding that people

with disabilities and other conditions can perform aquatic rescue, first aid, CPRand AED skills.

■ The skills needed to prevent injury or to save a life may need modification but theresult is the same.

■ This challenges you to focus on the critical components of a skill that are neededto successfully complete an objective, rather than focusing on perfecting everyfacet of a skill. For example, a person with only one arm may not be able toperform a conventional throwing assist. However, he or she may be able to modifythe skill when throwing the rescue equipment to a victim in distress. If the“objective” is for the person to throw the rescue equipment and to bring thevictim to safety, the person with one arm may be able to satisfy that objectiveeven though he or she has not performed a conventional throwing assist.

■ Always teach to the standard, but be aware that participants may modify how askill is accomplished and still be able to meet the objective. Evaluate participants’skills according to whether or not the objective was met.

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Instructors must perform skills to the standard as theydemonstrate skills to participants in their courses.


TOPIC: OBSERVING AND EVALUATING SKILL PERFORMANCETime: 15 minutes

Key Points:■ To ensure that participants are able to perform skills effectively, you must—

■ Observe skill performance, identify errors promptly and provide corrective orpositive feedback to help participants improve their skills.

■ Encourage participants to continue practicing to improve their skills whileminimizing interruptions.

■ Evaluate participants for proper skill performance.

Activity:■ Refer instructor candidates to their Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s

Manual for an example of a skill chart that identifies the critical steps for skillperformance. Refer them to the Throwing Assist Skill Chart on page 2-45. Brieflyreview the critical steps for skill performance of the throwing assist.

■ Explain to instructor candidates that Swimming and Water Safety provides step-by-stepinstructions along with photographs for skill performance.

Key Points:■ Understanding the objectives of each skill you teach, and why these objectives are

important, will help you develop what is known as the “critical eye” forevaluating how well a participant performs a skill.

■ “Critical eye” is the ability to observe skill performance and notice which steps ofthe skill are being done correctly and which are not.

■ This allows you to provide appropriate and timely feedback to participants asthey attempt to meet the objective of the skill or skills being learned.

■ To develop a critical eye, you must first have a complete understanding of the skillobjectives.

■ You must also learn to evaluate how different people are able to meet those objectives.

■ Finally, you must learn how to provide positive or corrective feedback to helpparticipants improve their skills.

TOPIC: ADMINISTERING THE FINAL WRITTEN EXAMTime: 5 minutes

Key Points:■ All participants must score at least 80 percent on the final written exam to be

eligible to be certified.

Activity:■ Explain to instructor candidates that the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s

Manual clearly identifies when and how to administer the final written exam.


■ Explain that the final written exam is found in Appendix F of the Safety Training forSwim Coaches Instructor’s Manual.

■ Explain that for each course there is a final written exam (including a version A and aversion B of the exam), an exam answer sheet and exam answer keys.

TOPIC: CONDUCTING REVIEW COURSES AND CHALLENGESTime: 15 minutes

Key Points:■ The review courses and challenges allow eligible individuals to receive an

American Red Cross certificate for Safety Training for Swim Coaches withoutparticipating in a full course. The options include the following:■ Review course (also known as a refresher course or recertification course): An

abbreviated course that briefly reviews course information and allows practiceof knowledge and skills before testing with an instructor.

■ Challenge (also known as a review challenge or challenge course): Acompetency testing of knowledge and skills, with no allowance for review orpractice with an instructor.

■ “Written Exam Only” Challenge: A competency testing of knowledge, withallowance of recognizing current certification and previous training.

Review Courses

Key Points:■ Review courses are designed for participants with an ongoing need for

certification. Because of previous training, they do not require a full course toregain the knowledge and skills needed for certification.

■ Review courses offer participants the opportunity to review and practice skillsbefore the final written exam and skill evaluations.

■ To be eligible to take the review course, the individual must have successfullycompleted an American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches course orrecognized equivalent course within the last 4 years.■ Proof of this prior training can be verified by showing an American Red Cross

Universal Certificate indicating Safety Training for Swim Coaches.■ The Red Cross recognizes all Safety Training for Swim Coaches certifications as

valid for 3 years from the original completion date. However, individuals mayparticipate in a review course up to 12 months after the expiration of theircertificates.

■ During the additional 12 months, the Red Cross considers the validity period ofthe certification expired.

■ Individuals who do not have eligible certificates may not participate in a reviewcourse. They can only participate in a full course or a challenge.


Challenges

Key Points:■ The purpose of a challenge is to give individuals the opportunity to demonstrate

knowledge and skills competency outside of a formal class setting.■ Participants have sole responsibility to prepare for the knowledge and skill

evaluations.■ Anyone is eligible to participate in a challenge.■ Individuals who do not possess current American Red Cross certification in the

appropriate course or courses may participate in a challenge only once.■ If they do not pass the challenge, they should be referred to the local Red Cross

chapter for information on taking a full course. They should not be allowed toattempt a challenge again.

■ Individuals who hold current American Red Cross certification in the course orcourses they wish to challenge may do so as often as the challenges are availableand their certificate remains valid.

■ Upon successful completion of this instructor course, Safety Training for SwimCoaches instructors are eligible to offer review courses and challenges.

“Written Exam Only” Challenge

Key Points:■ The purpose of a “written exam only” challenge is to give individuals who have

previous training and current certification in eligible lifeguarding and watersafety courses the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge competency outside of aformal class setting.

■ The training consists only of the completion of the online written exam availableon the USA Swimming Web site.

■ Participants have sole responsibility to prepare for the knowledge evaluation (self-study).

■ To be eligible for the written exam only challenge, an individual must havecurrent American Red Cross certification in one of the following:■ Lifeguarding■ Waterfront Lifeguarding■ Waterpark Lifeguarding■ Shallow Water Attendant■ Basic Water Rescue

■ Upon successfully completing and passing the online written exam, the individualwill be sent a confirming e-mail from USA Swimming that they have successfullypassed the written exam. The confirming e-mail and the current lifeguarding orBasic Water Rescue certificate must be presented to the local Red Cross chapterto receive an American Red Cross Universal Certificate indicating Safety Trainingfor Swim Coaches.■ The completion date on the Safety Training for Swim Coaches certificate will

be the same as the individual’s current lifeguarding or Basic Water Rescuecertificate and will expire on the same date.


Activity:■ Explain to instructor candidates that guidance on conducting review courses and

challenges is found in Appendix H of the Safety Training for Swim CoachesInstructor’s Manual.

■ Answer questions instructor candidates may have about review courses and challenges.

TOPIC: AMERICAN RED CROSS ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURESTime: 25 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Prior to this class session, it is strongly recommended that youmeet with the local Red Cross chapter’s health and safety administrator. Review theadministrative policies and procedures listed below and confirm that you are providingcurrent and accurate information for the local Red Cross chapter. Consider inviting theadministrator to conduct this section of the session. This would meet many of the chapterorientation requirements for instructor candidates.

Activity:■ Remind instructor candidates that in the Fundamentals of Instructor Training course

they learned about administrative terms and procedures used in Red Cross courses.■ Refer instructor candidates to Appendix A of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches

Instructor’s Manual or page 83 of the Fundamentals of Instructor TrainingParticipant’s Manual for definitions.

■ Explain that the following section is a review of definitions and provides informationon local Red Cross chapter procedures.

Instructor Certification, Authorization and Reauthorization

Activity:■ Explain to instructor candidates that maintaining a Safety Training for Swim Coaches

Instructor authorization does not maintain a basic-level certification in Safety Trainingfor Swim Coaches. To maintain basic-level certificates, a Safety Training for SwimCoaches instructor must participate in a basic-level full or review course or challengetaught by another instructor who is authorized to teach the Safety Training for SwimCoaches instructor course.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What does it mean for an instructor to be certified?”

Answer: “Certified” is the term used to describe the circumstance under which aninstructor candidate meets all course prerequisites, successfully completes all courseobjectives and is issued a Red Cross instructor course completion certificate.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “What does it mean for an instructor to be authorized?”

Answer: An “authorized” individual has been accepted by a local Red Cross chapter toteach a Red Cross course in that chapter’s jurisdiction. To become authorized, the Healthand Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate and the Instructor Agreementmust be signed by the instructor and an official from the chapter of authorization.


■ Ask instructor candidates, “Where is your chapter of authorization?”

Answer: For most instructor candidates, the chapter of authorization is the chapter that ishosting the instructor course. It is the chapter that initially endorses an instructor, thatmaintains his or her records and that is responsible for reauthorizing an instructor.

Instructor Trainer’s Note: Be sure that instructor candidates know the name and contactinformation of their chapter of authorization.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “How does an instructor become reauthorized?”

Answer: To become authorized again, an instructor must teach or co-teach at least onecourse during an authorization period. Instructors may also be periodically required tocomplete updates when the course is revised.

■ Ask instructor candidates, “Which courses must you teach or co-teach to bereauthorized as a Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor?”

Answer: To become reauthorized as a Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor, onemust teach or co-teach a full Safety Training for Swim Coaches course, fast-track option,review course or challenge within the authorization period.

■ Explain the local process by which new Health and Safety Services InstructorAuthorization Certificates (C3005) are issued when an instructor is reauthorized.

■ Remind instructor candidates that if they want to teach in another chapter’sjurisdiction, they must get extended authorization. Instructors must request and receiveauthorization from the local Red Cross chapter to teach within that chapter’sjurisdiction prior to teaching.

■ Remind instructor candidates that an instructor’s authorization to teach within a RedCross chapter’s jurisdiction can be withdrawn for due cause. Due cause generallymeans that the instructor does not abide by the standards, policies or procedures of theRed Cross and its programs or in some way abuses the position of an authorized RedCross instructor.

Course Record Forms

Activity:■ Review with instructor candidates the information required on the Course Record,

Course Record Addendum, Lifeguarding Activity Report and Aquatics Leader ActivityReport, and how to complete them. Distribute sample forms to instructor candidates.

■ Remind instructor candidates of local Red Cross chapter policies for turning in the forms.■ Review the criteria for assigning grades.

■ Pass (P): The participant meets course objectives and successfully completes allthe required skills and final written exams, if applicable.

■ Fail (F): The participant does not meet course objectives and/or does notsuccessfully complete all the required skills and/or final written exams and prefersnot to be retested or does not pass a retest.


■ Incomplete (INC): The participant is unable to complete the course because ofcertain circumstances, such as an illness or death in the family, and a plan is madefor the participant to complete the training at another specified time.

■ Audit (A): The participant is not attending the course with intent to receive acompletion certificate. The participant, with approval from the instructor, is allowedto choose his or her own level of participation in the course. Participants mustchoose to audit a course prior to the beginning of the class.

Issuing Course Completion Certificates

Activity:■ Explain local Red Cross chapter procedures for issuing course completion certificates.■ Reinforce to instructor candidates that course completion certificates cannot be issued

if the specific course curriculum was not followed as designed.■ Pass around a sample of a course certificate for instructor candidates to see. Explain

the validity periods of certificates and point out the sections of the certificate thatinstructors are responsible or completing.

■ Explain that course participants should contact their local Red Cross chapter or visitwww.redcross.org/instructorscorner for more information on additional trainingopportunities.

Agreements and Administrative Information

Instructor Trainer’s Note: If all of the instructor candidates in this course will beauthorized within the local chapter’s jurisdiction, consider expanding this section to meetthe chapter orientation requirements as outlined in the Manual of Administrative Policiesand Procedures (MAPP). If there are instructor candidates from outside the localchapter’s jurisdiction, remind them that they must contact their local Red Cross chapterfor a local chapter orientation to become authorized to teach and to sign an InstructorAgreement.

Activity:■ Review local Red Cross chapter procedures relating to—

■ Instructor Agreements. Have each instructor candidate who is in the local chapter’sjurisdiction sign a copy of the Instructor Agreement.

■ Authorized Provider Agreements and related fees (if applicable). ■ Administrative and reporting requirements.■ Reservation of equipment and supplies.■ Reporting faulty equipment.■ The chapter’s point of contact.


Additional Training Opportunities

Activity:■ Provide instructor candidates with information on other American Red Cross Health

and Safety Services basic- and instructor-level courses.■ Provide instructor candidates with information on the local chapter’s courses in

Volunteer Leadership, Disaster and Youth Services.

TOPIC: AMERICAN RED CROSS AWARDSTime: 5 minutes

Key Points:■ The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the American Red Cross. It

is awarded to a person who saves or sustains a human life using knowledge andskills learned in a Red Cross Health and Safety course.

■ The Lifesaving Award for the Professional Rescuer is awarded to professionalrescuers who save or sustain a life while on duty using knowledge and skillslearned in a Red Cross Health and Safety course.

■ For information on these and other awards, consult your local Red Cross chapter.

TOPIC: STAYING INFORMEDTime: 5 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Note: If possible, set up a computer and connect to Instructor’sCorner at www.redcross.org/instructorscorner. Navigate through the different topics asyou discuss them. This will add time to this session.

Activity:■ Explain to instructor candidates that the benefits of registering and using the Red Cross

Instructor’s Corner at www.redcross.org/instructorscorner include the following:■ Online resources.

■ Learn about other Red Cross programs, such as First Aid and Preparedness,Aquatics and Caregiving.

■ Link to the latest news about the Red Cross.■ Read electronic newsletters, such as SafetyNet and Red Cross Trainer.■ Exchange ideas with other instructors on the Instructor’s Corner forum.■ Instructor tools and teaching aids. Find convenient, downloadable resources and

forms including electronic presentation tools, course outlines, instructoragreements, course evaluations, course codes, course fact sheets and more.

■ Training supplies. Order training supplies online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week andhave Red Cross materials shipped directly to their location quickly and conveniently.


■ Course records. Download course record forms and activity reports, complete themelectronically and e-mail them back to their local chapters to get certificatesquicker.

■ Marketing and promotional materials. Download marketing tools to promotecritical employee lifesaving courses and programs.

■ Explain that instructors should sign up for Instructor’s Corner at www.redcross.org/instructorscorner and visit the site regularly for program information and updates.

■ Provide information on other communications vehicles that the local Red Crosschapter uses, such as a newsletter or local chapter Web site. Information on other RedCross Health and Safety programs, national disaster response efforts and bloodcollection is available at www.redcross.org.

TOPIC: PREPARATION FOR SESSION 2Time: 5 minutes

Activity:■ Answer any questions instructor candidates may have.■ Ask instructor candidates to come dressed in their swimsuits for the next session.■ Remind instructor candidates that they will be conducting their two practice-teaching

assignments and will be taking the final written exam in the next session.


SESSION 2

Session Length3 hours, 30 minutes


■ DVD player and monitor■ Swimming and Diving DVD■ Record of Precourse Session Evaluation Results and Instructor Candidate Progress Log (Appendix 3)■ Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course Final Written Exam and Answer Sheets (one for

every instructor candidate; Appendix 8)■ Pens or pencils■ American Red Cross identification■ Reaching-assist equipment, such as reaching poles or shepherd’s crooks■ Throwing-assist equipment, such as ring buoys or throw bags■ Wading-assist equipment, such as rescue tubes or kick boards■ Instructor Course Evaluation Form (one for every instructor candidate; Appendix 9)■ American Red Cross Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate (C3005) (one for

every instructor candidate)■ Course Record and Course Record Addendum

TOPIC: REVIEWTime: 5 minutes

Activity:■ Review key topics from Session 1 of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor

course.■ Answer questions instructor candidates may have.

TOPIC: PRACTICE-TEACHING ASSIGNMENT ITime: 70 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Note: In this assignment, instructor candidates conduct a lecture-based session using the instructor’s manual and DVD, if applicable. Each assignmentincludes presentation of key points, conducting activities, bridging to and showing thevideo segments (if applicable) and answering participants’ questions related to the topic.


Activity:■ Explain to instructor candidates that the practice-teaching assignment is a learning

opportunity that can enhance their teaching performance by—■ Observing the teaching style of others.■ Sharing ideas and experiences.■ Learning how to plan instruction to meet course objectives.■ Understanding participants’ learning differences.■ Reviewing peer- and instructor-trainer evaluations.

■ Remind instructor candidates that during this assignment they must follow the lessonplan. They are to use the appropriate video segment to support their topic as directedin the outline, if applicable.

■ Begin by having an instructor candidate conduct a practice-teaching assignment.■ Give each instructor candidate about 7 minutes to conduct the assignment, followed by

about 5 minutes of self-, peer- and instructor-trainer evaluation.■ Facilitate the feedback and evaluation process by making comments focusing on

correct performance and specific suggestions for improvement. The feedback andevaluation process includes a self-critique by the candidate, peer feedback andadditional feedback and comments from you.

TOPIC: BREAK/PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE-TEACHING ASSIGNMENT IITime: 10 minutes

Activity:■ Have instructor candidates prepare for Practice-Teaching Assignment II. They should

use this time to gather equipment, if appropriate, and take other steps to begin theirassignments.

TOPIC: PRACTICE-TEACHING ASSIGNMENT IITime: 90 minutes

Instructor Trainer’s Note: In this assignment, instructor candidates conduct a skillsession for a water-based rescue using the instructor’s manual. Instructor candidates areexpected to effectively and efficiently set up and conduct the skill session, demonstrate theskill, lead participants through the skill and evaluate and provide feedback onparticipants’ skills.

Activity:■ Remind instructor candidates that during this assignment they are to conduct a skill

session for a water-based rescue. They are to direct the participants to move intoposition to begin the session and to conduct the session as directed in the instructor’smanual. They should also observe and evaluate skill performance and provide positiveand corrective feedback.

■ Begin by having an instructor candidate conduct a practice-teaching assignment.


■ Each instructor candidate has 10 minutes to conduct the session, followed by 5minutes of self-, peer- and instructor-trainer evaluation.

■ Facilitate the feedback and evaluation process with comments focusing on correctperformance and specific suggestions for improvement. The feedback and evaluationprocess includes a self-critique by the candidate, peer feedback and additionalfeedback and comments from you.

■ Conclude the practice-teaching assignment with general comments for improvingteaching.

TOPIC: BREAKTime: 10 minutes

Activity:■ Have instructor candidates change back into their clothes and prepare to take the final

written exam.

TOPIC: SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES INSTRUCTOR COURSE FINALWRITTEN EXAMTime: 15 minutes

Activity:■ Distribute copies of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course Final

Written Exam and Answer Sheet (Appendix 8).■ Briefly review the instructions.■ Tell instructor candidates to mark all answers with a pencil on the answer sheet, not on

the exam, and to put away all notes and course materials during the exam.■ When instructor candidates have completed the exam, have them return their exams

and answer sheets to you for grading.■ Refer to Appendix 8 for the answer key. Instructor candidates must correctly answer at

least 80 percent of the questions on the final written exam (12 correct answers out of15 questions).

TOPIC: CLOSINGTime: 10 minutes

Activity:■ Congratulate successful instructor candidates, and issue each successful instructor

candidate a completed, signed, original American Red Cross Health and Safety ServicesInstructor Authorization Certificate indicating Safety Training for Swim Coaches.

■ Ask each instructor candidate to complete an Instructor Course Evaluation Form(Appendix 9) and return it to you before leaving.

■ Complete the Course Record and Course Record Addendum, attach the instructorcertificate copies and submit them as required to your local Red Cross chapter.

■ Answer instructor candidates’ questions.



APPENDIX 1: ADMINISTRATIVE TERMS AND PROCEDURESThe following information has been condensed from the Health and Safety Services Manual ofAdministrative Policies and Procedures (MAPP) and is intended to define commonly used American RedCross terms. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for further clarification.

Audit—A course grade when the participant is not attending the course with the intent to receive acompletion certificate. The participant, with approval from the instructor, is allowed to choose his orher own level of participation in the course. Individuals who are auditing a course should receive thesame amount of attention and feedback from the instructor as individuals who wish to receive a coursecompletion certificate. Audits should not be substituted for a “Fail” for a participant who attempts certification but is unable to pass the completion requirements. A participant who initially chooses toaudit a course, but who then participates fully and meets all course objectives and prerequisites, maybe issued a course completion certificate and a final grade of “Pass.”

Authorized—A chapter’s endorsement of an instructor to teach within that chapter’s jurisdiction. Aninstructor is authorized if he or she is accepted by a local Red Cross chapter to teach a Red Cross coursein that chapter’s jurisdiction. Documentation of authorization is provided by the authorizing chapter onthe Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate (C3005).

Authorized Provider—An outside company, organization or individual that provides Red Crossinstructional programs as outlined in the signed Authorized Provider Agreement.

Authorized Provider Agreement—An agreement between the Red Cross and an outside company,organization or individual that provides Red Cross instructional programs outlining the responsibilities ofeach party.

Authorized Provider Instructor—An authorized instructor who teaches American Red Cross coursesunder the supervision of an authorized provider. (See also Authorized Provider)

Certificate—Formal recognition that an individual has passed an American Red Cross course of record.

Certified—Term used to describe the circumstance when a course participant passes an American RedCross course and is issued a completion certificate.

Code of Conduct—A code that all employees and volunteers of the American Red Cross, in deliveringRed Cross services, shall meet. Every authorized American Red Cross instructor signs it, as part of theInstructor Agreement, and it serves as a general agreement between the instructor and the local RedCross chapter.

Section CAppendices


Co-Teach—Sharing full participation in course leadership and instruction with one or more co-instructors; also known as team teaching.

Course of Record—A course taught, properly reported and accepted by the American Red Cross chapterin the jurisdiction where the course was conducted.

Course Record (F6418R)—A form that lists demographic information and is completed by an instructorand turned in within 10 working days after course completion to the local American Red Cross chapter inwhose jurisdiction the course was taught. This record is used to document certificate issuance, instructorteaching activity and service activity for statistical reports.

Course Record Addendum (F6418AR)—A form that lists demographic information on participants andgrades received for a course. Should be used in addition to the Course Record (F6418R).

Extended Authorization—Permission granted by a local American Red Cross chapter to an AmericanRed Cross instructor from another jurisdiction to teach within that chapter’s jurisdiction. Instructors mustrequest and receive extended authorization from the new chapter prior to teaching. Extendedauthorizations can be documented on the back of the Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate (C3005).

Fail—A course grade signifying that a participant has not passed ALL the required skills and/or writtentests and prefers not to be retested or does not pass a retest.

Incomplete—A course grade signifying that a participant is unable to complete the course because of certaincircumstances, such as illness or death in the family. An incomplete is given only when arrangements tocomplete the training have been made.

Instructor—A member of a select group of individuals authorized by the American Red Cross to teachAmerican Red Cross basic-level courses and impart knowledge and skills consistent with American RedCross policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.

Instructor Agreement—A form to be signed by American Red Cross instructors before being authorized toteach an American Red Cross course. It explains the rights and responsibilities of both the instructor and theAmerican Red Cross chapter of authorization. It also contains the Code of Conduct.

Instructor Aide—An individual who successfully completes instructor-aide training to help an instructorwith a basic-level course. Instructor aides must work under an instructor that is actively teaching thecourse. Instructor aides assist instructors in clerical, supervisory, instructional and maintenance tasks, butthey cannot evaluate participants or determine participant eligibility for certification.

Instructor Record—A paper or electronic record containing general demographic information on an instructor, instructor trainer and his or her Red Cross teaching history, current authorizations/affiliations,awards, etc. The specific types of information that constitute an instructor record are those found in thenationally supported electronic Learning Management System (LMS).

Instructor Trainer (IT)—A member of a select group of individuals who exemplify the qualities of theAmerican Red Cross and serve as role models for instructors and other instructor trainers. ITs areauthorized by the local American Red Cross chapter to teach American Red Cross Instructor courses andthe Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) course within that chapter’s jurisdiction. An IT oftenassists the local Red Cross chapter with training updates, recruitment or other leadership responsibilities.

Minimum Enrollment for Courses—Each course must have enough participants to provide course participants with sufficient skill practice to accomplish the course objectives.

Pass—A course grade signifying that a participant has successfully completed ALL required skills andwritten tests according to national standards.

Reauthorization—To become authorized again by teaching or co-teaching at least one course during anauthorization period. A new Health and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate (C3005) isissued upon reauthorization.

Suspension—The temporary withholding of an instructor’s authorization by a local Red Cross chapterwhile formal steps are undertaken to determine whether to continue or withdraw the instructor’s authorization.

Transfer of Authorization—The action of a Red Cross chapter accepting an instructor, previously authorized by a different chapter, to be authorized to teach within the receiving chapter’s jurisdiction.As a result of the transfer of authorization, generally the receiving chapter becomes the instructor’sunit of authorization and the instructor is no longer authorized in the sending chapter.

Unit of Authorization—The chapter that initially endorses an instructor maintains his or her records andis responsible for reauthorizing an instructor.

Volunteer—An individual who, beyond the confines of paid employment and normal responsibilities,contributes time and service to the American Red Cross to assist in the accomplishment of its mission.

Withdrawal of Authorization—The removal of an instructor’s authorization to teach within the American Red Cross chapter’s jurisdiction for due cause. Due cause generally means that the instructordoes not or will not abide by the standards, policies or procedures of the American Red Cross organization and its programs or in some way abuses the position of an authorized American Red Cross instructor.



APPENDIX 2: SAMPLE LETTER TO SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHESINSTRUCTOR COURSE CANDIDATESDear Instructor Candidate:

Thank you for enrolling in the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course.The course is 8 hours, which includes a precourse session of about 1 hour, 30 minutes. The schedule isas follows:

Precourse Session, Date: From: To:Session 1, Date: From: To:Session 2, Date: From: To:Location:

To enroll in the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course, you must—

■ Be at least 16 years of age before the last scheduled class session. Please bring a copy of yourdriver’s license, birth certificate, state identification or passport with you to the precourse session.

■ Have a Fundamentals of Instructor Training Certificate issued in the last 12 months or a currentHealth and Safety Services Instructor Authorization Certificate. Please bring a copy of one of thesecertificates to the precourse session.

■ Successfully complete the precourse session, which includes a written exam.

The precourse session includes a written exam and an evaluation of water rescue skills based on theSafety Training for Swim Coaches course. The skills consist of the following:

■ Reaching assist with equipment■ Reaching assist without equipment from the deck■ Reaching assist without equipment from a position in the water■ Throwing assist■ Wading assist with equipment■ Hip and shoulder support■ Head splint technique■ Head and chin support—face-up ■ Head and chin support—face-down

To be an effective Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor, you must become completely familiarwith the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual and other coursematerials and DVDs. You will be given practice-teaching assignments, which will give you experience inpresenting information to course participants, conducting classes and evaluating skills.

I look forward to having you as an instructor candidate in my class. Please contact your local Red Crosschapter if you have any questions or special needs that should be addressed prior to the start of thecourse.

Sincerely,

(Name)

Instructor Trainer


APPENDIX 3: RECORD OF PRECOURSE SESSION EVALUATION RESULTS AND INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATE PROGRESS LOG

Directions:

Precourse Session ColumnTo enroll in the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course, an individualmust successfully complete all aspects of the precourse session. This includes the precourse written examand basic water rescue skills. Use “P” (Pass) in the appropriate column if the instructor candidate issuccessful and use “F” (Fail) if the candidate is not successful.

Instructor Course ColumnOnly instructor candidates who successfully completed the precourse session should be included on thislog. Rate each instructor candidate in the appropriate columns in the following ways:■ For each of the following practice-teaching assignments, use “C” (Competent) or “NI” (Needs

Improvement).■ For the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course Final Written Exam, use “P” (Pass) if he

or she passed with a minimum score of 80 percent or better. Use “F” (Fail) if he or she did notachieve a minimum grade of 80 percent.

An instructor candidate must receive a “C” on all practice-teaching assignments and “P” on the finalwritten exam to be certified as an American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor.


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Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Course Final Written Exam

Practice-Teaching Assignment II

Practice-Teaching Assignment I

Head and Chin Support—Face-Down

Head and Chin Support—Face-Up

Head Splint Technique

Hip and Shoulder Support

Wading Assist with Equipment

Throwing Assist

Reaching Assist without Equipment from a Position in the Water

Reaching Assist without Equipment from the Deck

Reaching Assist with Equipment

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APPENDIX 4: PRECOURSE WRITTEN EXAM■ Precourse Written Exam■ Answer Sheet■ Answer Key


SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES INSTRUCTOR PRECOURSE WRITTEN EXAMIMPORTANT: Read all instructions before beginning this exam.

INSTRUCTIONS: Mark all answers in pencil on a separate answer sheet. Do not write on this exam.The questions on this exam are multiple choice. Read each question carefully. Then choose the bestanswer and fill in that circle on the answer sheet. If you wish to change an answer, erase your firstanswer completely. Return this exam to your instructor when you are finished.

EXAMPLE

XX.Why does the American Red Cross teach this course?

a. To help people stay calm in emergencies.

b. To help people make appropriate decisions when they are confronted with an emergency.

c. To help people in an emergency keep a victim’s injuries from getting worse until emergencymedical services (EMS) personnel arrive and take over.

d. All of the above.

ANSWER SHEET

XX. a b c

1. A coach has a legal duty to—

a. Avoid all activities that could be defined as risky or dangerous.

b. Ensure that at least one parent is present at all practices and meets.

c. Keep accurate records and reports that track the amount of yards athletes swim weekly.

d. Properly condition an athlete and enforce rules and regulations.

2. As a coach, it would be most sensible to—

a. Allow athletes to frequently socialize at your house.

b. Have personal meetings with athletes in the open or with the office door open.

c. Spend time “behind closed doors” with a single athlete.

d. Only share “off color” jokes with swimmers of the same gender.

3. When designing a workout plan, coaches should—

a. Encourage athletes to report any injury that persists for more than a week.

b. Encourage athletes to train and compete as long as any pain is minor.

c. Ensure all athletes follow the same training regime.

d. Focus on correct technique to help prevent chronic and overuse injury.


4. A coach should activate the emergency action plan when—

a. An assistant informs the coach that a swimmer is unconscious in the locker room.

b. EMS personnel do not arrive on the scene.

c. He or she must move an injured swimmer into the locker room.

d. The lifeguards fail to provide assistance when a swimmer is unconscious.

5. For safety considerations, a coach should ensure that—

a. At least one individual present at swim practice is properly trained to handle emergencies.

b. Feet-first entries are used for meet warm-up only and not for swim practice warm-up.

c. Swimmers are allowed to use the pool’s competitive diving facilities during the swim trainingsession as long as a swim coach is present.

d. The facility staff has sole responsibility to deal with anything unusual or dangerous, such asobstacles, hazards or unsafe equipment.

6. When determining how many swimmers can swim in each lane, the coach should consider—

a. Allowing swimmers to pick their own send-off intervals to space themselves in the lane.

b. If swimmers need to be able to get to the wall and hold on for rest or instruction.

c. The fact that younger swimmers take up more room in the lane than older swimmers.

d. The water temperature and air quality.

7. Hyperventilation, or rapid, deep breathing, before prolonged underwater swimming is—

a. A fun activity to vary swim training.

b. A good way to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood so the swimmer can hold his or herbreath longer.

c. Dangerous because the carbon dioxide level in the blood can drop to a point where the swimmerpasses out before the brain signals it is time to breathe.

d. Not dangerous because a person will instinctively come to the surface to breathe when carbondioxide levels drop.

8. When teaching turns, a coach should have the swimmers—

a. Figure out the correct technique by trial and error.

b. Keep their ankles and heels close to the wall.

c. Learn the potential risks and injuries that are possible.

d. Practice pushing off at different angles in shallow water.

9. Coaches should teach swimmers to—

a. Abort a poor racing start when it is in progress by doing a somersault, pulling up quickly orrolling to one side.

b. Always use a head-first entry during warm-up and enter from the designated starting end.

c. Expect the water depth to be the same at all competition pools because it is required by law.

d. Only use starting blocks when given permission to do so by the coach at practice or by a marshalat a swim meet.


10. One of the benefits of dryland training is that—

a. Athletes can complete part of the workout without your direct supervision.

b. Dryland activities can be the same for all athletes regardless of age and ability.

c. Dryland activities extend training time when pool time is limited.

d. Dryland activities offer less structure and more fun for swimmers from time to time.

11. Warm-up procedures for a swim meet—

a. Are set by each coach for his or her swimmers.

b. Are supervised solely by meet marshals.

c. Require that all swimmers practice head-first entries prior to the first event of the meet.

d. Should be the same as the procedures for practice.

12. To prepare for an open water swim, a coach should—

a. Have swimmers inform him or her of any natural or manmade hazards, such as rocks, piers orsubmerged objects.

b. Have the swimmers complete several short swims in controlled areas before attempting a long swim.

c. Strongly encourage swimmers to drink at least 64 ounces of water prior to an open water swim.

d. Use boats or kayaks to accompany the swimmers only if there are 10 or more swimmers.

13. The clarity and quality of the pool water and a safe swimming environment is theresponsibility of—

a. A meet marshal.

b. Facility management.

c. The coaching staff.

d. The parents’ booster club.

14. It is advisable that—

a. Only battery-operated devices are used on the pool deck or near the water.

b. DVD players and loudspeakers are connected to electrical outlets on the wall closest to the pool.

c. The pool vacuum is connected to a power supply with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)when using it while swimmers are present.

d. Wires for the pace clocks are strung on the pool deck for the length of the pool.

15. In indoor pools—

a. Certain weather conditions, such as high wind and severe lightning, may affect swimmers.

b. Fog and lightning are never hazards.

c. Swim meets should continue regardless of outdoor weather conditions.

d. Weather conditions do not affect swimmers as long as battery-powered devices are being used.


16. Pool rules should—

a. Allow competitive swimmers to be in the water unsupervised because they are strong swimmers.

b. Be enforced by the lifeguard, not the coach.

c. Be followed by patrons, swimmers and coaches.

d. Not apply to coaches as long as they are directly supervising the swimmers’ activities.

17. A proactive risk management program—

a. Is demonstrated by having lifeguards in the facility during all swim practices.

b. Is the sole responsibility of facility management.

c. Should contain details of your training program, specifically of younger athletes.

d. Shows intent and acts as evidence of responsible care.

18. In a life-threatening emergency involving a swimmer, a coach should—

a. Activate the facility emergency action plan and then proceed to help the swimmer.

b. Determine whether or not the emergency is actually life threatening.

c. Do nothing because he or she could be found negligent if he or she does something wrong.

d. Focus attention on the other swimmers in the pool and assume the facility staff will deal with theemergency.

19. A coach should help a distressed swimmer when he or she—

a. Becomes exhausted and cannot continue to the wall.

b. Does not receive assistance first from other swimmers.

c. Does not want to be a part of the team.

d. Makes forward progress and can support him- or herself in the water.

20. If a swimmer has a head, neck or back injury—

a. Check whether a lifeguard is on duty before touching or moving the swimmer.

b. Immediately move the swimmer to the deck and then use the head and chin support.

c. Position the swimmer face-down at the surface of the water.

d. Remove the swimmer from the water if the swimmer is breathing.

21. Hypothermia—

a. Can be suspected if the swimmer’s skin appears waxy, cold to the touch or discolored.

b. Can be treated by getting the swimmer wet clothing and towels.

c. Can be treated by wrapping the swimmer in dry clothing and towels.

d. Occurs only when very cold temperatures cause the body to produce heat faster than it can belost.


22. If an athlete is sweating heavily and feeling nauseated due to the heat—

a. The athlete needs to be moved to a cool place, given small amounts of cool water to drink andmonitored for changes closely.

b. The athlete needs to switch to dryland training and be monitored for changes closely.

c. This may be a sign of heat fatigue.

d. This may be a sign of heat stroke.

23. To help an asthmatic swimmer manage his or her disease, a coach can—

a. Encourage the athlete to ignore the disease and symptoms for as long as possible.

b. Incorporate longer structured warm-up and warm-down segments into practice and competition.

c. Require the swimmer to provide weekly updates from his or her health-care provider to ensurepractices are not making the condition worse.

d. Work on the mental side of asthma by empowering the athlete to compete against otherswimmers with asthma.

24. If a swimmer is having a seizure in the water—

a. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number only if the swimmer is conscious.

b. Get the swimmer out of the water immediately.

c. Place the swimmer face-down on the deck and check for breathing during the seizure.

d. Support the swimmer with the head above water until the seizure is over.

25. An example of swimming pain related to technique is—

a. Groin and knee pain caused by incorrect timing in the kicking action of the butterfly.

b. Hip pain related to kicking excessively during the breastroke.

c. Neck and back pain related to looking down at the bottom rather than up in freestyle.

d. Shoulder pain caused by dropping the elbow during the recovery phase of freestyle.


Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Precourse Written Exam Answer Sheet

Name _______________________________________________ Date_____________________

1. a b c d

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Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor Precourse Written Exam Answer Key

Name _______________________________________________ Date_____________________

1. a b c d

2. a b c d

3. a b c d

4. a b c d

5. a b c d

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APPENDIX 5: PRACTICE-TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS FORMThe practice-teaching assignments provide instructor candidates the opportunity to conduct activitiesfrom the basic-level course outline in a logical order. The instructor candidate becomes familiar withusing the instructor’s manual, applicable video segments and instructional tools while teaching.Observable skills include facilitating discussion, demonstrating and evaluating water rescue skills andeffectively managing skill sessions. Each instructor candidate should be allowed ample time to gathermaterials, equipment and supplies needed; organize the classroom according to the activity; and reviewthe applicable pages in the instructor’s manual to conduct the assignment.

Assign instructor candidates one practice-teaching assignment for each practice-teaching session.Instructor candidates should use the relevant parts of the instructor’s manual, DVDs and participantmaterials to prepare and conduct practice-teaching assignments. Instructor candidates may record theirtopics on the Practice-Teaching Assignment Sheet in Appendix 6 and/or on this appendix.

Directions for conducting the practice-teaching assignments are in the lesson plans of this guide(pages 31–33). Directions for instructor candidates are in Appendix 7, Practice-Teaching Feedback andEvaluation Form. Give instructor candidates copies of Appendix 6 so they will understand their roleswhen carrying out the practice-teaching assignments.

Practice-Teaching Assignment I

In Practice-Teaching Assignment I, each instructor candidate will conduct a lecture-based session using theinstructor’s manual and DVDs, if applicable. Each assignment includes presenting key points, conductingactivities, bridging to and showing the video segments (if applicable) and answering participants’ questionsrelated to the topic. The participant’s material to support this assignment is throughout the Safety Trainingfor Swim Coaches Supplement and Swimming and Water Safety. This information can be found in Section 2(Lesson 1) of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual.

1. Guidelines for Responsible Coaching

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

2. Professional Conduct and Legal Responsibilities

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

3. Swim Practice Safety and Important Safety Considerations

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

4. Hypoxic Training and Hyperventilation

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

5. Head-First Entries and Racing Start Safety (The instructor candidate should begin his or herassignment by starting with the video segment first (page 2-17 of their instructor’s manual). Theinstructor candidate should start the segment but then stop it after about 3 minutes so he or she cancontinue with the remaining key points in this topic.)

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

6. Medical Conditions in Swimmers

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________



Practice-Teaching Assignment II

In Practice-Teaching Assignment II, each instructor candidate will conduct a water-based rescue using theinstructor’s manual. Instructor candidates are expected to effectively and efficiently set up and conduct theskill session, demonstrate the skill, lead participants through the skill and evaluate and provide feedback on theparticipants’ skills. The participant’s material to support this assignment is in Chapter 10 of Swimming andWater Safety. This information can be found in Section 2 (Lesson 2) of the Safety Training for Swim CoachesInstructor’s Manual.

1. Reaching Assists with Equipment

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

2. Throwing Assists

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

3. Wading Assists with Equipment

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

4. Hip and Shoulder Support (Stabilizing the Head, Neck and Back)

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

5. Head Splint Technique (Stabilizing the Head, Neck and Back)

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

6. Head and Chin Support—Face-Up (Stabilizing the Head, Neck and Back)

Assigned to: _______________________________________________________________________________

■ During your practice-teaching assignments, you should follow the outlines in the instructor’s manual foryour assigned practice-teaching topics. Be sure that you are familiar with the information on the DVDs andin the participant’s materials that are related to your topics. Be prepared to answer questions participantsmay have.

■ The first practice-teaching assignment will last about 7 minutes followed by about 5 minutes of self-evaluation and evaluation by your peers and the instructor trainer. The second practice-teachingassignment will last about 10 minutes, followed by about 5 minutes of self-evaluation and evaluationby your peers and the instructor trainer.

■ In Practice-Teaching Assignment I, you will conduct a lecture-based session using the instructor’smanual and DVDs, if applicable. The participant’s material to support this assignment is throughoutthe Safety Training for Swim Coaches Supplement. This information can be found in Section 2,Lesson 1 of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor’s Manual. You are expected to—■ Present key points.■ Conduct activities.■ Bridge to and show any video segments, unless directed otherwise.■ Answer participants’ questions related to the topic.

■ In Practice-Teaching Assignment II, you will conduct a skill session for a water-based rescue usingthe instructor’s manual. This assignment focuses on the material in Chapter 10 of Swimming andWater Safety. This information can be found in Section 2, Lesson 2 of the Safety Training for SwimCoaches Instructor’s Manual. You are expected to—■ Effectively and efficiently set up and conduct the skill session as directed in the instructor’s

manual.■ Prompt and coach participants as they acquire and improve their skills.■ Observe and evaluate participants’ skills.■ Provide positive and corrective feedback based on the participants’ skill performance.


APPENDIX 6: PRACTICE-TEACHING ASSIGNMENT SHEET

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Practice-Teaching Assignment I: _________________________________________________________

Practice-Teaching Assignment II: _________________________________________________________


APPENDIX 7: PRACTICE-TEACHING FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION FORMThe following guidelines and form (see following page) provide a framework for giving and receivingfeedback on practice-teaching assignments and copies are to be distributed to instructor candidates.

Practice-Teaching Guidelines

The skill of how to effectively give and receive appropriate feedback can be learned, with practice. Thefeedback you receive from other instructor candidates can help you develop new and improved teachingskills and become a better instructor. Practicing giving feedback makes you more aware of your own andothers’ teaching styles.

You will be giving and receiving feedback and will have an opportunity to assess your own teachingskills. When receiving feedback, listen carefully. If you do not understand the point being made, ask theperson to explain more specifically.

When giving feedback on your own or another instructor candidate’s teaching session—■ First, provide positive feedback. Offer comments about what was done well during the lesson.■ Next, discuss an aspect that could be improved, with a specific example of how to make it better. (This

is called corrective feedback.)Use the topics listed on the following form as a guide for giving feedback to your peers. Remember

that useful feedback—■ Is evaluative rather than negative or judgmental.■ Reinforces positive aspects of the teaching session.■ Focuses on improving teaching skills.■ Is specific and concise.■ Takes into account the needs of both the receiver and giver.■ Is well-timed.

Feedback will follow this order:1. Presenters critique their own teaching session.2. Other instructor candidates give feedback.3. The instructor trainer gives feedback and summarizes.

Practice-Teaching Feedback and Evaluation Form

Name:

Yes No The instructor candidate— Comments

❑ ❑ 1. Spoke loudly and clearly.

❑ ❑ 2. Made eye contact when speaking.

❑ ❑ 3. Followed the lesson plan.

❑ ❑ 4. Gave clear instructions so that participants knew what was expected of them.

❑ ❑ 5. Gave clear instructions on safety precautions before having participants participate in the skill session.

❑ ❑ 6. Referred participants to the manual and skill steps.

❑ ❑ 7. Effectively and efficiently set up the skill session.

❑ ❑ 8. Effectively and efficiently conducted the skill session.

❑ ❑ 9. Provided coaching or prompting as directed in the skill charts in the instructor’s manual.

❑ ❑ 10. Was able to answer questions asked by participants.

❑ ❑ 11. Noticed and corrected participants’errors.

❑ ❑ 12. Provided positive reinforcement and corrective feedback at appropriate times.

❑ ❑ 13. Gave specific suggestions for correcting errors.

Other comments:



APPENDIX 8: FINAL WRITTEN EXAM■ Final Written Exam■ Answer Sheet■ Answer Key

SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES INSTRUCTOR COURSE FINAL WRITTEN EXAMIMPORTANT: Read all instructions before beginning this exam.

INSTRUCTIONS: Mark all answers in pencil on a separate answer sheet. Do not write on this exam.The questions on this exam are multiple choice. Read each question carefully. Then choose the bestanswer and fill in that circle on the answer sheet. If you wish to change an answer, erase your firstanswer completely. Return this exam to your instructor when you are finished.

EXAMPLE

XX. Why does the American Red Cross teach this course?

a. To help people stay calm in emergencies.

b. To help people make appropriate decisions when they are confronted with an emergency.

c. To help people in an emergency keep a victim’s injuries from getting worse until emergencymedical services (EMS) personnel arrive and take over.

d. All of the above.

ANSWER SHEET

XX. a b c

1. Which certificate is issued after successful completion of the Safety Training for Swim Coachescourse?

a. Lifeguarding

b. Safety Training for Swim Coaches

c. Basic Water Rescue

d. Sport Safety Training

2. To be reauthorized, a Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor must—

a. Maintain basic-level certification in Safety Training for Swim Coaches.

b. Maintain basic-level certification in Sport Safety Training.

c. Teach at least one Safety Training for Swim Coaches course during the authorization period.

d. Teach at least one Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Sport Safety training course during theauthorization period.

3. Participants in the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course use the—

a. American Red Cross Sport Safety Training Participant’s Manual.

b. American Red Cross Lifeguarding manual.

c. American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue reference guide.

d. American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Supplement and the Swimming and WaterSafety manual.


—DO NOT WRITE ON THIS EXAM—


4. An “Incomplete” should be entered on a Course Record and Course Record Addendum only if—

a. A participant could not complete the course because of circumstances that prevented attendanceand a plan is made for him or her to complete training at a specified time.

b. The participant plans to take the course again at a later date.

c. The instructor does not wish to give the participant a failing grade.

d. The participant agrees to take Exam B after studying the materials more thoroughly.

5. Adapting a course means that—

a. Information can be added to and deleted from the course.

b. Instructors can provide specific examples and place emphasis on topics within a course toaddress the needs of participants.

c. Information can be deleted from a course.

d. Instructors can combine several courses together to make one course.

6. An effective skill demonstration must—

a. Be clearly visible to all participants.

b. Only be performed at rescue speed.

c. Be shown from at least three different angles.

d. Be shown at one angle so as not to confuse participants.

7. A Safety Training for Swim Coaches instructor must teach to the standard and—

a. Demonstrate skills to the objective.

b. Demonstrate skills to the objective and test to the standard.

c. Test head, neck and back injury skills to the standard and other skills to the objective.

d. Test skills to the objective.

8. If a participant fails the final written exam, which of the following steps should you take?

a. Issue the participant a certificate as long as you review the correct answers with the participant.

b. Offer the participant the opportunity to take an alternate form of the exam.

c. Tell the participant that he or she cannot receive a certificate.

d. Tell the participant to come back in 1 year and take the course again.

9. If a participant is having difficulty performing required skills and you cannot correct theproblems before the end of the course—

a. Ask the participant to leave the course.

b. Check him or her off on the skills checklist if most of the skills were completed correctly.

c. Counsel the participant and encourage him or her to enroll in another class at a later date.

d. Give him or her a certificate but note the poor skill performance on the Course Record andCourse Record Addendum or Lifeguarding Activity Report.


10. To enroll in the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course—

a. There are no prerequisites.

b. Participants must be 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of the course.

c. Participants must be 17 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of the course.

d. Participants must have an American Red Cross Level IV swimming ability.

11. The times recommended in the course outline and lesson plan for the Safety Training for SwimCoaches course are based on—

a. 6 participants per instructor.

b. 10 participants per instructor.

c. 12 participants per instructor.

d. 18 participants per instructor.

12. The validity period for the Safety Training for Swim Coaches certificate is—

a. 1 year.

b. 2 years.

c. 3 years.

d. Indefinite.

13. Feedback is important because it—

a. Compares the performance of participants.

b. Lets the participants know how they are progressing.

c. Is practice for real-life situations.

d. Reduces classroom tensions.

14. Which of the following is a principle of effective feedback?

a. Comment on the entire performance at one time.

b. Be judgmental.

c. Focus on specific segments of the performance.

d. Involve the participant’s personality in your remarks.

15. To successfully complete the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course—

a. There are no requirements for successful completion.

b. Participants must demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities and correctlyanswer at least 70 percent of the questions on the final written exam.

c. Participants must attend all class sessions and correctly answer at least 80 percent of thequestions on the final written exam.

d. Participants must attend all class sessions, demonstrate competency in all required skills andactivities and correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions on the final written exam.


Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor CourseFinal Written Exam Answer Sheet

Name _______________________________________________ Date_____________________

1. a b c d

2. a b c d

3. a b c d

4. a b c d

5. a b c d

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8. a b c d

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10. a b c d

11. a b c d

12. a b c d

13. a b c d

14. a b c d

15. a b c d


Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor CourseFinal Written Exam Answer Key

Name _______________________________________________ Date_____________________

1. a b c d

2. a b c d

3. a b c d

4. a b c d

5. a b c d

6. a b c d

7. a b c d

8. a b c d

9. a b c d

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11. a b c d

12. a b c d

13. a b c d

14. a b c d

15. a b c d


APPENDIX 9: INSTRUCTOR COURSE EVALUATION FORMA course evaluation form for instructor candidates is on the following page. This form is designed tomeasure participant satisfaction with the Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor course and willprovide useful feedback about instruction, course materials and other course aspects from the perspectiveof the participant. You can use the feedback to evaluate and improve the way you teach this course.

This form may also provide useful feedback to your local Red Cross chapter. Before using the form,check with your chapter to see if it has a particular system for the use of such forms. For example, theremay be guidelines covering—■ How often to use the forms.■ How to handle logistics (such as making copies of the forms).■ Whether to add chapter-specific questions to the forms (space for adding questions is available).■ What to do with the forms after completing them.


COURSE EVALUATION FORM FOR INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATES

Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor CourseThank you for participating in the American Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructorcourse. We would like to give you an opportunity to tell us what you thought about the course. Yourhonest responses will help us improve the training. This survey is completely voluntary and anonymous;please do not write your name on the survey. We greatly appreciate your feedback.

Date of Training: _____________________________________________________________________

Instructor Trainer’s Name: ____________________________________________________________

Strongly Strongly Not Circle only one response. Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Sure

1. The facility was adequate for the 1 2 3 4 NStraining.

2. The training time was convenient 1 2 3 4 NSfor me.

3. The instructor trainer was 1 2 3 4 NSwell prepared.

4. The instructor trainer presented 1 2 3 4 NSinformation clearly.

5. The instructor trainer was able to 1 2 3 4 NSanswer my questions.

6. The training on how to use the course 1 2 3 4 NSmaterials was helpful.

7. The feedback I received from other 1 2 3 4 NSinstructor candidates during the practice-teaching assignments was helpful.

8. The feedback I received from the 1 2 3 4 NSinstructor trainer during practice-teaching assignments was helpful.

9. I believe the Safety Training for Swim 1 2 3 4 NSCoaches Instructor’s Manual will be useful to me in teaching this course.

10. Based on the training, I feel prepared 1 2 3 4 NSto assess participants’ skills.

11. Based on the training, I feel prepared 1 2 3 4 NSto teach the Safety Training for Swim Coaches course.

12. I was satisfied with this course. 1 2 3 4 NS

13. Please elaborate on any statements in the previous section for which you circled “StronglyDisagree” or “Disagree.”

14. What was the most useful part of this course for you? Why?

15. What was the least useful part of this course for you? Why?

The information in the following section helps us to know more about the people we reach with oureducation. This section is completely voluntary and anonymous.

Gender: Female_____ Male_____

Age: _____ years

Ethnicity: Mark all that apply.

❑ African American

❑ Asian/Pacific Islander

❑ Hispanic/Latino (including Mexican or South or Central American heritage)

❑ Native American/Alaska Native

❑ White (Non-Hispanic)

❑ Other, including multi-ethnic

Please write additional comments or suggestions about this course below


Documents

Guide for Training Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructors