Water Certification Programs at START Swimming
Water Certification programs by The American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program teach people how to be safe in, on, or around water. We offer a variety of water certification programs from safety instructors, water rescue, coaches, personal water safety, and home pool safety. These classes are offered on an as needed basis so please contact us to let us know your interest and see what classes are currently scheduled.
Safety Training for Swim Coaches
Developed in collaboration with USA Swimming, this course is designed to teach those involved in competitive swimming how to help maintain a comfortable and safe environment for swimmers, prevent accidents and emergencies, and respond to swimmers with illnesses or injuries in water or on land. Participants must be at least 15 years of age. There are no skill prerequisites to enroll; However, because there is an in-water skills session, participants must be comfortable in chest-deep water.
This blended-learning course is designed mainly for use by aquatics professionals seeking to satisfy a certification requirement for coaches who are members of USA Swimming, YMCA or other national governing bodies. This course is not intended to train an individual to become a lifeguard.
The 6-hour course combines web-based delivery of content, an online exam and a facility-based, in-water skills session. A shorter review course option is also available, along with course combinations that include Adult and Child CPR/AED full, review and challenge course options. The certificate, Safety Training for Swim Coaches/First Aid, is valid for 2 years.
An “online content only” option is available for coaches currently certified in Lifeguarding. This course involves completing the online learning portion of the course, including the online exam.
Basic Water Rescue
This 4-hour certification course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. It also prepares participants for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to protect themselves while assisting others.
Basic Water Rescue does not provide participants with all the knowledge and skills needed to be certified as a lifeguard.
Basic Water Rescue is intended for public safety personnel, camp personnel and day trip leaders, daycare workers, school teachers, aquatic fitness instructors, aquatic therapists, anyone involved in aquatic activities and others who work around water.
DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER
Water Safety Instructor
The purpose of the Water Safety Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim, Adult Swim and water safety courses and presentations. Water Safety instructor candidates must be 16 years old on or before the last scheduled day of the Water Safety Instructor course.
There will be two delivery methods available for the Water Safety Instructor course—
blended learning (preferred) and instructor led. The estimated course lengths for each
delivery method are estimated and subject to change:
Blended Learning Delivery Method: Estimated 25 hours; online content—7 hours
Instructor Led Delivery Method: Estimated 31 hours
Personal Water Safety
This 5-hour course builds on basic swimming and safety skills and provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to help avoid aquatic emergencies. Participants learn survival and self-rescue techniques.
It provides basic information on safety in natural water environments and boating and personal watercraft. Successful completion of this course results in a certificate of completion that has no validity period.
Personal Water Safety is intended for individuals who participate in aquatic activities and want to improve their water safety and survival skills.
DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER
Water Safety Today - Water Certification Class
This 2-hour course teaches participants how to recognize, prevent and respond to emergencies in, on and around the water. Successful completion of this course results in a certificate of completion that has no validity period. Water Safety Today is intended for anyone with an interest in learning water safety knowledge and skills.
DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER
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Home Pool Essentials: Maintenance and Safety
This online course, co-written with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, is designed to help home pool owners properly operate and safely enjoy a home pool or hot tub by learning the steps to maintain them, and how to plan for what to do in an emergency. Successfully completion of this course results in a certificate of completion that has no validity period. Home Pool Essentials is intended for anyone who owns or regularly visits a home with a residential pool or hot tub.
DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER
American Red Cross Swim Mobile Application
The American Red Cross Swim app supports and promotes the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program, focusing on the courses in the Preschool Aquatics and Learn-to-Swim program.
It helps teach parents about general water safety, such as knowing the important of constant supervision and how to respond in an aquatic emergency. It also teaches water safety knowledge in multiple environments, including home pools and natural environments.
The app allows parents to track the progress of their children throughout the program. A child-specific section features video segments from WHALE Tales with water safety messaging and quizzes for the parent and child to complete together.
Want to learn more about our class offerings?
At START we have classes for every student, at every skill level at every age. Unique to Start is our Free Practice & Play for every enrolled START student. Check out our Swim Lessons & Classes page to learn more about the classes we offer. Have questions? Give us a call at 713-469-2503 and we can help!