Program Overview

University Program Information

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers various programs, including the Water Safety Instructor course.

Program Overview

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course is designed to train instructor candidates to teach courses and presentations in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program. The course develops the candidates' understanding of how to use course materials, conduct training sessions, and evaluate participants' progress.

Blended Learning Water Safety Instructor

The blended learning option for the Water Safety Instructor course features simulation learning, providing custom activities, games, and instructional videos set in a vibrant three-dimensional pool environment. Instructor candidates interact with multiple scenarios that require them to use lesson planning and teaching strategies and apply water safety and classroom management concepts. Assessment and corrective feedback are integrated throughout the course.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Water Safety Instructor course, instructor candidates should be able to:

• Identify key elements and strategies for planning and preparing effective and safe swim lessons
• Identify key class management principles, elements, and strategies for planning, preparing, and conducting safe swim lessons
• Describe the importance of effective observation for teaching and how to develop it
• Observe swimming, headfirst entry, and diving skills, and accurately classify them and suggest appropriate interventions to improve them
• Develop the ability to effectively communicate about participants' progress in swim lessons
• Modify teaching to meet unexpected challenges, including dealing with participants who misbehave
• Demonstrate the ability to accommodate participants who move, learn, communicate, and behave differently

Prerequisites

To enroll in the Water Safety Instructor course, candidates must:

• Be at least 16 years of age on or before the final scheduled lesson of this course
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
  • Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4 of American Red Cross Swimming skills:
    • Front crawl-25 yards
    • Back crawl-25 yards
    • Breaststroke-25 yards
    • Elementary backstroke- 25 yards
    • Sidestroke-25 yards
    • Butterfly- 15 yards
  • Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
  • Tread water for 1 minute

Criteria for Certification

To be certified as a Water Safety instructor, instructor candidates must:

1. Successfully complete the precourse session
2. Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Swimming and Water Safety Program, which includes an orientation to the American Red Cross
3. Attend and successfully participate in all course lessons, including the online content
4. Successfully complete the required number of practice-teaching assignments
5. Score at least 80 percent (correctly answer 40 of 50 questions) on the final instructor course written exam

Cost and Sessions

• The cost of the Water Safety Instructor course is $300.
• The course will be held on October 10-12, 2025.

Course Length

• eLearning Time: 7 hours
• In-Person Time: 23 hours, 30 minutes

Program Availability

All UNC Aquatics programs, including the Water Safety Instructor course, are open to UNC faculty, staff, their families, and the community.