2025 Water Safety Instructor Training

Water Safety Instructor Training

Our water safety training classes are taught in a blended learning format. Before arriving to the in-person portion of your training class, you must complete the online blended learning which takes approximately 7 hours to complete. Please print off the online completion certificate to bring along or email it to jjones@embe.org. The in-person portion of the training class is approximately 21 hours. The total time of the water safety training is 30 hours. You will receive an email with your online blended learning link within 24-72 hours after registering for your Water Safety Certification Training.

Prerequisites

Must be 15 years of age on or before the final day of the course.

Provide proof of age (such as a valid driver's license presented on the first day of class)

Pre-course Skills Test:  You must demonstrate Red Cross Level 4 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 one minute in deep water (float or scull)
• Tread water for one minute

Successful Certification Completion

• Completion of all online course content in advance to the corresponding in-person skills sessions.
• Attendance of all in-person skills sessions.
• Active participation during the in-person skills sessions practicing various roles, activities, drills, and scenarios.
• Demonstrate proficiency in all skills.
• Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80%.
• Pass the final teaching assessments.

Maintaining Certification

You must teach or co-teach at least one course of record from the courses listed in chapter 1 during your certification period (1 year)

Successfully complete the Water Safety Instructor Recertification Assessment within 90 days prior to your expiration date.

The instructor will submit the course to the American Red Cross and participants that have successfully passed the course will be issued certification cards. Your cards will be emailed to you by the instructor upon course submission. Participants can also access their digital certificate at www.redcross.org/take-a-class/digital-certificate.