What is a WSI certification?

While working towards this certification, you will learn essential knowledge and develop critical skills in swim instruction and water safety.

Here are some of the key areas of focus for a WSI certification:

• Aquatic safety at public pools, residential pools, and natural bodies of water like oceans, rivers, lakes, and others

• Knowledge of the Circle of Drowning Prevention

• Knowledge of the Chain of Drowning Survival

• Hydrodynamics, including why some items float, resistance to movement and creating movement in the water, swimming efficiency, and laws of levers

• Basic pool and water safety

• Survival and swimming skills utilized to help instruct children on how to gain water competence

• Helping individuals with disabilities and other health conditions safely participate in swimming activities

A WSI certification is essential for aquatics instructors because it allows them to teach individuals and groups various swimming techniques while informing them about important aquatic safety information.

Here are the areas a water safety instructor (WSI) will learn how to teach:

• Expert-level swim skills and applications that help prepare individuals or groups of all ages for any water-based activities

• Stroke mechanics for all competitive strokes

• Starts, turns, and headfirst entries into the water

• Water safety certification courses, including Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Basic Water Rescue

• Fundamentals of diving from a variety of heights (high-diving boards, medium, and low)

• Water fitness and training for individuals or groups of any age

To obtain the WSI certification, you must be at least 16 years old or turn 16 by the end of the training course.

Classes can be taken in person at a wide variety of pool facilities associated with the American Red Cross around the United States.