Water Safety Instructor’s Manual

1 Centennial EditionWater Safety instructor s ManualAmerican Red CrossWater Safety instructor s ManualThis instructor s Manual is part of the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program. Visit to learn more about this emergency care procedures outlined in this book reflect the standard of knowledge and accepted emergency practices in the United States at the time this book was published. It is the reader s responsibility to stay informed of changes in emergency care READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE AGREEING TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE AMERICAN RED CROSS MATERIALS. BY DOWNLOADING THE MATERIALS, YOU HEREBY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND downloadable electronic materials, including all content, graphics, images and logos, are copyrighted by and the exclusive property of The American National Red Cross ( Red Cross ).

2 Unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Red Cross, the Red Cross grants you ( recipient ) the limited right to download, print, photocopy and use the electronic materials, subject to the following restrictions: The recipient is prohibited from reproducing the materials for any reason. The recipient is prohibited from creating electronic versions of the materials. The recipient is prohibited from revising, altering, adapting or modifying the materials. The recipient is prohibited from creating any derivative works incorporating, in part or in whole, the content of the materials. The recipient is prohibited from downloading the materials and putting them on their own website without Red Cross rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by the Red Cross. The Red Cross does not permit its materials to be reproduced or published without advance written permission from the Red Cross.

3 To request permission to reproduce or publish Red Cross materials, please submit your written request to The American National Red 2014 American National Red Cross. ALL RIGHTS Red Cross emblem, American Red Cross and the American Red Cross logo are trademarks of The American National Red Cross and protected by various national by Krames Staywell Strategic Partnerships DivisionPrinted in the United States of AmericaISBN: 978-1-58480-606-6 This Manual is dedicated to the thousands of employees and volunteers of the American Red Cross who contribute their time and talent to supporting and teaching swimming and lifesaving skills worldwide and to the thousands of course participants and other readers who have decided to be prepared to take action when an emergency individuals shared in the development and revision process in various supportive, technical and creative ways.

4 The Swimming and Water Safety program was developed through the dedication of both employees and volunteers. Their commitment to excellence made this Manual AcknowledgmentsiiiThe following members of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council provided guidance and review: Peter Wernicki, MDAquatics Chair, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilSports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon, Vero Beach, FloridaAssistant Clinical Professor, Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Florida St. University College of MedicineChair, International Lifesaving Federation Medical CommitteeMedical Advisor, Lifesaving AssociationLinda Quan, MD, FAAPVice Chair, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilUniversity of Washington School of MedicineSeattle Children s HospitalSeattle, WashingtonPeter Chambers, PhD, DOMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilFlight Surgeon, Medical CorpsPatrick Air Force Base, FloridaRoy FieldingMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of KinesiologyCoordinator, Exercise Science/Director of AquaticsCharlotte, North CarolinaLouise KublickMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilHolland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation HospitalOperations Manager, AquaticsToronto, Ontario, CanadaStephen J.

5 Langendorfer, PhDMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilProfessor, Kinesiology Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OhioTerri LeesMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilAquatic SupervisorNorth Kansas City Community CenterNorth Kansas City, MissouriWilliam Dominic Ramos, PhDMember, American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilIndiana UniversitySchool of Public Health BloomingtonDirector IU Aquatics InstituteAssistant ProfessorBloomington, IndianaGuidance provided by the American Red Cross:Jack McMasterPresidentPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesDominick TolliVice PresidentPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesJean ErdtmannExecutive DirectorPreparedness and Health and Safety Servicesiv | | Water Safety instructor s ManualThe American Red Cross team for this edition included:Margot AllowayBusiness AnalystInformation TechnologyAnthony AltierieLearning Systems AdministrationInformation TechnologyCatherine BarryDirector, AquaticsPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesSue DegnanSenior Marketing ManagerMarketingGina GunnProduct Manager, Training Support CenterPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesConnie HarveyDirector, Centennial InitiativePreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesDenise HensalBusiness AnalystInformation TechnologyDon LauritzenOfficerCommunicationsAnnette PallowickInstructor Trainer/Program Development, AquaticsPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesStephanie ShookSenior Product Manager, AquaticsPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesJohn ThompsonManager, Business OperationsPreparedness and Health and Safety ServicesJoy ZukauskasProduct Manager.

6 Training Support CenterPreparedness and Health and Safety Services The StayWell team for this edition included:Nancy MonahanSenior Vice PresidentSunil BhedaSenior Vice PresidentProduct DevelopmentPaula BattVice PresidentSales and Client ServicesDavid CaneManaging EditorDanielle DiPalmaEditorial DirectorMelanie CannExecutive EditorMichael DelPolitoExecutive EditorMaryann FoleySenior Content ManagerLaura ScottContent ManagerMaureen PanczaEditorial Project ManagerMichelle ClarkSenior Graphic DesignerMolly EvansMarketing ManagerSpecial ThanksSpecial thanks to the following individuals for their expertise as Subject Matter Experts:Matt Barbini USA Swimming National Team, High Performance ConsultantColorado Springs, ColoradoJason BaumannUSA Diving, Director of EducationIndianapolis, IndianaScott ColbyUSA Swimming, Sport Performance ConsultantColorado Springs, ColoradoTara Eggleston, Division Chief/Countywide Aquatics CoordinatorMaryland-National Capital Park and Planning CommissionMyriam GlezHigh Performance Director, USA Synchronized SwimmingIndianapolis, IndianaKaren JosephsonIllustrator and Synchro Swimming Expert, , Olympian, 1988 Olympic Silver Medal, 1992 Olympic Gold Medal, Duet Synchronized SwimmingRussell MarkUSA Swimming National Team, High Performance Consultant Colorado Springs, ColoradoContents | v ContentsPart a: Administrationchapter 1.

7 General Program administration Swimming and Water Safety Program 3 instructor Responsibilities 6 instructor and instructor Trainer Resources 8 Facility Considerations 11 Staffing 11 Class Safety 13 Records and Reports 15 Course Evaluation 15 Part B:Teaching Swimming and Water Safetychapter 2: Promoting Effective learning Developmental Principles of Learning Motor Skills 19 Stages of Learning Motor Skills 22 Helping Participants Learn 24 Teaching Strategies 32chapter 3: Planning and conducting Effective and safe swim lessons Planning a Course Session 40 Organizing the Class 47 Holding and Support Techniques 52 Flotation Devices 58chapter 4.

8 Integrating Water Safety into the courses Putting Water Safety into Practice 65 Water Safety as Part of Learning to Swim 65 Key Water Safety Topics 68vi | | Water Safety instructor s Manual Basic Water Safety Rules _____71 Recognizing the Lifeguards _____72 Staying Safe Around Water _____72 Circle of Drowning Prevention _____74 General Water Safety Around the Home _____74 Safety at the Beach and at the Waterpark _____75 The Importance of Wearing a Life Jacket _____76 The Danger of Drains _____77 Recreational Water Illnesses _____78 Sun Safety _____78 Water Toys and Their Limitations _____79 Developing Breath Control Safely _____80 Chain of Drowning Survival _____81 Recognizing an Emergency _____82 How to Call for Help _____82 How to Call for Help and the Importance of Knowing First Aid and CPR _____83 Reaching Assists _____84 Swim as a Pair Near a Lifeguard s Chair _____86 Look Before You Leap _____87 Think So You Don t Sink _____88 Don t Just Pack It, Wear Your Jacket _____90 Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice _____91 Know About Boating Before You Go Floating _____92 Chapter 5: Teaching People of Different Ages Infants and Young Children _____95 School-Age Children _____100 Adults _____101 Chapter 6.

9 Teaching People Who Move, Learn, Communicate or Behave Differently Aquatics Programming Options _____109 Helping Participants to Succeed _____110 Teaching People with Sensory Impairments _____117 Contents | vii Teaching People with Impaired Mobility 122 Teaching People with Medical Conditions 124 Teaching People with Developmental Disabilities 127 Teaching People with Learning Disabilities 130 Teaching People with Emotional or Behavioral Disabilities 132 Part c:The Courseschapter 7: Parent and child aquatics Administrative Notes 135 Safety Considerations 137 Working with Young Children and Their Parents 138 The Parent and Child Aquatics Course 143 Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 147 Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 Skills 150 Parent and Child Aquatics Level 2 165 Parent and Child Aquatics Level 2 Skills 168chapter 8.

10 Preschool aquatics Administrative Notes 183 Safety Considerations 187 Working with Preschoolers 188 The Preschool Aquatics Course 192 Preschool Aquatics Level 1 193 Preschool Aquatics Level 1 Skills 196 Preschool Aquatics Level 2 207 Preschool Aquatics Level 2 Skills 210 Preschool Aquatics Level 3 215 Preschool Aquatics Level 3 Skills 218chapter 9: learn-to-swim Administrative Notes 224 Safety Considerations 228viii | | Water Safety instructor s Manual Working with School-Age Children and Young Teens 229 Learn-to-Swim Course 230 Learn-to-Swim Level 1 Introduction to Water Skills 233 Learn-to-Swim Level 1 Sk