About
American Red Cross Swimming + Water Safety Programs include swim lessons for children and adults, Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–6, and private swimming lessons for the listed courses. The program also offers lifeguarding, lifeguard preparation, Lifeguard VR Training, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, Basic Water Rescue, aquatic fitness and training, and instruction in the fundamentals of diving from a diving board. Participants can also take Swim Instructor Certification, Water Safety Instructor Certification, and other aquatic instructor training focused on water safety in public pools, homes, and natural bodies of water.
• Ages: Birth–18 years old
The program’s stated mission is “Learning to Swim Saves Lives. Not Everyone Has Had the Chance.” Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) courses train instructor candidates to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–3, and private swimming lessons for those courses, without requiring advanced strokes such as butterfly, backstroke, or diving. Water Safety Instructor (WSI) courses train instructor candidates to teach all courses in the Swimming and Water Safety program, including Learn-to-Swim Levels 4–6 and Adult Swim, and this Water Safety Instructor certification is described as “the gold standard” and provides comprehensive training for swim instructors. The program includes instruction on hydrodynamics, stroke mechanics for all competitive strokes, starts, turns, headfirst entries, basic safety, survival and swimming skills for water competency, aquatic fitness and training for any age, and ways to help people with disabilities and other health conditions enjoy the water safely. It also teaches water safety concepts such as the Circle of Drowning Prevention and Chain of Drowning Survival, and offers water safety certification courses including Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Basic Water Rescue.
The American Red Cross works with community partners to provide hot meals, snacks, and water served at shelters or from Red Cross emergency response vehicles in affected neighborhoods.
Red Cross Digital Certificates are provided for these courses and can be viewed, printed, or shared online through a Red Cross Account at any time. Each digital certificate includes a unique ID and a QR code that meets employment requirements and allows employers to confirm the certificate is valid by visiting the Red Cross digital certificate webpage or scanning the QR code with a smart device.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
• Ages: Birth–18 years old
The program’s stated mission is “Learning to Swim Saves Lives. Not Everyone Has Had the Chance.” Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) courses train instructor candidates to teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–3, and private swimming lessons for those courses, without requiring advanced strokes such as butterfly, backstroke, or diving. Water Safety Instructor (WSI) courses train instructor candidates to teach all courses in the Swimming and Water Safety program, including Learn-to-Swim Levels 4–6 and Adult Swim, and this Water Safety Instructor certification is described as “the gold standard” and provides comprehensive training for swim instructors. The program includes instruction on hydrodynamics, stroke mechanics for all competitive strokes, starts, turns, headfirst entries, basic safety, survival and swimming skills for water competency, aquatic fitness and training for any age, and ways to help people with disabilities and other health conditions enjoy the water safely. It also teaches water safety concepts such as the Circle of Drowning Prevention and Chain of Drowning Survival, and offers water safety certification courses including Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Basic Water Rescue.
The American Red Cross works with community partners to provide hot meals, snacks, and water served at shelters or from Red Cross emergency response vehicles in affected neighborhoods.
Red Cross Digital Certificates are provided for these courses and can be viewed, printed, or shared online through a Red Cross Account at any time. Each digital certificate includes a unique ID and a QR code that meets employment requirements and allows employers to confirm the certificate is valid by visiting the Red Cross digital certificate webpage or scanning the QR code with a smart device.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
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