Aquatics Leader
Administrative Notes
Information for Leaders
Thank you for taking the time to
present this important water safety
information. You are taking a big step
toward making your community safer.
You are providing valuable tips that
can help individuals prepare for an
aquatic emergency.
Purpose of Presentations
Water Safety Today
The purpose of the American Red
Cross Water Safety Today presentation
is to teach individuals how to recognize,
prevent and respond to emergencies in,
on and around water.
General Water Safety
The purpose of the American
Red Cross General Water Safety
presentation is to provide individuals
with an awareness of the importance
of water safety training and to provide
general information on being safe in, on
and around water.
Home Pool Safety
The purpose of the American Red
Cross Home Pool Safety presentation
is to provide home pool owners and
apartment pool users with information
to keep their family and guests safe in
an aquatic environment.
parents with an orientation to Red
Cross swim lessons offered at a local
aquatic facility.
Sun Safety
The purpose of the American Red
Cross Sun Safety presentation is to
teach participants the dangers of too
much exposure to direct sunlight.
Participants learn how to protect
themselves and others when enjoying
activities in the sun.
Rip Current Safety
The purpose of the American Red
Cross Rip Current Safety presentation
is to provide individuals with an
awareness of the dangers of rip
currents. Participants learn how to
recognize rip currents, how to avoid
them and what to do if caught in one.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for enrolling
in Red Cross water safety presentations.
Presentation Leaders
Any responsible and mature individual
who has oriented to course materials
may conduct Red Cross water
safety presentations.
Design and Length
The approximate lengths of the
presentations are listed at the beginning
of each lesson. These times are based
on a leader-to-participant ratio of 1:15.
Presentation times are often affected by
the following:
Parent Orientation to
Swim Lessons
The purpose of the American Red
Cross Parent Orientation to Swim
Lessons presentation is to provide
Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
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Experience,
abilities and skills of
the participants
n Needs, interests and desires of
the participants
n Number of participants
n Amount of equipment and supplies
n Experience, abilities and skills of
the leader
n
Suggested Materials,
Equipment and Supplies
Required and optional equipment,
materials and supplies are listed at
the beginning of each lesson. Make
sure all equipment is ready and
in working condition before your
presentation begins.
o
Wrap-up – Conclusion of the topic;
it helps the leader move smoothly
from one topic to the next
o
Participant Handouts
Leader Responsibilities
Your responsibilities when conducting a
presentation are to—
Provide
n
for the health and safety of
participants by always ensuring that—
o
Participants are aware of health
precautions and guidelines
concerning the transmission of
infectious diseases.
o
Participants know that they should
consult with you if they have
concerns about their physical
ability to perform or participate in
any of the skills.
Conducting Presentations
Before conducting a presentation,
the leader should read through the
lesson plan and review the appropriate
participant materials. The lesson plan
contains the following information:
Lesson
Name
n Lesson and Topic Length
n Materials, Equipment and Supplies
n Lesson Purpose
n Lesson Objectives
n
The lesson plan guides the leader
through the presentation and includes
the following:
Key Terms and Definitions – Definitions
n
of terminology that may not be familiar
to participants that will be introduced
to participants for the first time in
a lesson
n Presentation Outline
o Activities – Instructions for guided
discussions and exercises
o Leader’s Notes – Information that
provides additional guidance to
the leader
o Skill Sessions – Skill demonstrations
and practice of skills by participants
• Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
The classroom and practice areas
are free of hazards.
n Be familiar with the presentation
materials and training equipment, and
know how to use them effectively.
n Be familiar with the local Red
Cross chapter services and be
able to provide participants with
information on training and volunteer
opportunities with the Red Cross.
Additional information is also
available at www.redcross.org/services/
volunteer.
n Create a non-threatening environment
that encourages participants to achieve
the learning objectives.
n Adapt your teaching approach to
match the experience and abilities of
the participants.
n Be prepared to answer participants’
questions or know where to find
the answers.
n Provide a positive example by
showing healthy habits when
interacting with participants.
n Sign the Leader Agreement and Code
of Conduct. The Leader Agreement
o
and Code of Conduct are signed
by both the leader and a chapter
representative. This agreement
provides both parties with an outline
of the mutual expectations, rights and
responsibilities of the leader and the
local Red Cross chapter.
n Submit a completed Course Record
(F6418) and Course Record Addendum
(F6418A) to the sponsoring Red Cross
chapter within established timeframes.
n Abide by the obligations in the Leader
Agreement, and if applicable, the
Authorized Provider Agreement.
These agreements are on-line at the
Instructor’s Corner: www.redcross.org/
instructorscorner.
Chapter Responsibilities
The local Red Cross chapter is
responsible for providing the highest
level of customer service. The chapter
does this by—
Providing
the leader with evaluation
and appropriate reporting forms.
n Communicating with leaders about
new programs and volunteering
opportunities.
n Providing administration support.
n Maintaining a current Authorized
Provider Agreement.
n Having needed materials and
equipment available in a
timely manner.
n
Health Precautions for
Presentation Participants
Ask participants to tell you in advance
if they are concerned about their
ability to perform a specific skill.
People with certain health, medical
or physical conditions may hesitate to
take part in the skill sessions. Suggest
that these participants check with
their physician or health care provider
before participating in skill sessions.
Encourage them to participate to
whatever extent possible. They may
read the participant’s materials, watch
skill sessions and take part in class
activities. The American Red Cross
recommends that leaders adjust activity
levels to facilitate learning and to help
meet presentation objectives whenever
possible. Because this presentation does
not award certification in first aid, CPR
or AED, participants have the option of
not participating in skill sessions.
Lesson Plan Activities
This presentation contains the following
types of learning activities within the
lesson plan:
Small-Group Exercises
Small-group exercises consist of two to
four participants working together to
solve a problem or complete an activity.
The exercises allow participants to
use one another’s knowledge to
solve problems.
Large-Group Exercises
A large-group exercise uses large
numbers of participants or the entire
class to solve a problem or complete
an activity. When the entire class works
together, it provides an opportunity to
exchange ideas, discuss a problem and
think about the many ways to solve
a problem.
Interactive Discussions and
Lectures
Much of the information provided
in the lesson plan is shared with
the participants through interactive
discussions in order to involve the
participants in the learning process
as much as possible. Presenting
information via mini lectures is
sometimes the most effective way to
deliver information in a short period
of time. The lectures in this lesson
plan should be kept as brief as possible
Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
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because of the passive nature of this
method and the possibility of less
effective learning.
Conducting Skill Sessions
Skill sessions should be well organized
and well managed by the leader. When
you are setting up the classroom,
position the participants so that you
are able to see everyone. The following
template is used in most skill sessions:
Leader
Demonstration: The leader
demonstrates the skill being referred
to in the participant’s materials.
n Leader-Led Practice: All participants
move to the practice area. The leader
leads half of the participants through
each step of the skill, as a group, while
the other half follows along with the
appropriate participant’s materials.
Then the leader has participants
switch places so they can lead the
second group.
n Reciprocal Practice: Participants
practice the skills, coaching one
another and using the appropriate
participant’s materials as a reference.
During reciprocal practice time,
the leader circulates among the
participants to ensure that they are
appropriately practicing skills and are
receiving feedback from their partners.
As the leader observes participants
practicing skills, he or she provides
positive and corrective feedback
as appropriate.
n
Presentation Reporting
Leaders should complete the Aquatics
Leader Activity Report. The activity
report and the directions for completing
the form are on Instructor’s Corner. The
activity report should be submitted to
your local Red Cross chapter. Reporting
any presentations helps to document
the impact (e.g., number of persons
reached) of the program. The collection
of participant names and contact
information is optional; however, leaders
• Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
and chapters are encouraged to gather
this information so that participants
may be contacted and provided with
opportunities of involvement with their
local Red Cross chapter. If American Red
Cross Universal Certificates are issued,
complete and sign the Course Record and
Course Record Addendum.
Awarding Presentation
Certificates
Participants who attend a presentation
can receive an American Red Cross
Universal Certificate indicating the name
of the presentation given. Awarding
presentation certificates is optional;
however, for many attending these
presentations, it may be their first
experience with the American Red Cross.
We hope their experience will motivate
them to become more involved with the
Red Cross by taking further training,
volunteering to give blood, helping in
disasters or becoming financial donors.
Leader Evaluation Form
This evaluation form allows the leader
to provide feedback to the local Red
Cross chapter after conducting a
presentation. Leaders should complete
both pages and return the form to the
local Red Cross chapter.
Being an American Red
Cross Leader
The following information serves as an
introduction to the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent movement and
the American Red Cross. Leaders are
representatives of the American Red
Cross and should be informed about
the principles, mission and general
structure of the organization.
The International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement is the largest
humanitarian, volunteer organization in
the world, with more than 175 member
countries. Seven guiding principles
provide direction for the movement
and all Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies must adhere to them.
Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement, born of a desire to
bring assistance without discrimination
to the wounded on the battlefield,
endeavors, in its international and
national capacity, to prevent and
alleviate human suffering wherever it
may be found. Its purpose is to protect
life and health and to ensure respect
for the human being. It promotes
mutual understanding, friendship,
cooperation and lasting peace amongst
all peoples.
Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to
nationality, race, religious beliefs, class
or political opinions. It endeavors to
relieve the suffering of individuals,
being guided solely by their needs, and
to give priority to the most urgent cases
of distress.
Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the
confidence of all, the Movement may
not take sides in hostilities or engage at
any time in controversies of a political,
racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence
The Movement is independent. The
National Societies, while auxiliaries
in the humanitarian services of their
governments and subject to the laws
of their respective countries, must
always maintain their autonomy so that
they may be able at all times to act in
accordance with the principles of
the Movement.
Voluntary Service
It is a voluntary relief movement
not prompted in any manner by
desire for gain.
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross
or Red Crescent Society in any one
country. It must be open to all. It
must carry on its humanitarian work
throughout its territory.
Universality
The International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement, in which all
Societies have equal status and share
equal responsibilities and duties in
helping each other, is worldwide.
American Red Cross Mission
The American Red Cross is a
humanitarian organization, led
by volunteers and guided by its
Congressional Charter and the
Fundamental Principles of the
International Red Cross Movement.
It is the mission of the American
Red Cross to provide relief to
victims of disaster and help people
prevent, prepare for and respond
to emergencies.
History
What the American Red Cross does
cannot be accomplished without our
greatest resource—the people of the
American Red Cross. The American
Red Cross has many heroes—historical
and modern day. Our most familiar
hero is Clara Barton. Because of
her devotion and dedication in
founding the American Red Cross and
supporting it throughout its early years,
the organization has served Americans
since 1881 in wartime and in times
of peace during natural disasters and
national calamities.
Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
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The spirit of volunteerism and
community involvement continues with
the employees and volunteers who make
up the American Red Cross. Modern-day
heroes of the American Red Cross are
making a difference every day in their
communities and around the world.
The American Red Cross Today
The American Red Cross is where
people mobilize to help their neighbors—
across the street, across the country, and
across the world—in emergencies. Each
year, in communities large and small,
victims of some 75,000 disasters turn to
neighbors familiar and new—the nearly
one million volunteers and 35,000
employees of the American Red Cross.
Through over 700 locally supported
chapters, more than 15 million people
gain the skills they need to prepare for
and respond to emergencies in their
homes, communities and the world.
Some four million people give blood—
the gift of life—through the Red Cross,
making it the largest supplier of blood
and blood products in the United States.
And the Red Cross helps thousands of
U.S. service members separated from
their families by military duty stay
connected. As part of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, a global network of 181
national societies, the Red Cross helps
restore hope and dignity to the world’s
most vulnerable people.
An average of 91 cents of every dollar
the Red Cross spends is invested in
humanitarian services and programs.
The Red Cross is not a government
agency; it relies on donations of time,
money and blood to do its work. For
• Aquatics Leader Administrative Notes
additional information, visit the Red
Cross Web site at www.redcross.org.
Structure of the American
Red Cross
Consistent with the seven guiding
principles of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement,
the American Red Cross helps people
prevent, prepare for and respond to
emergencies. Volunteer leadership
and guidance is provided to national
headquarters by a Board of Governors.
National headquarters of the American
Red Cross provides direction and
materials to the local Red Cross
chapters. National headquarters
reserves the right to control and
monitor a chapter’s operations, courses
and use of materials to ensure quality
and consistency with national goals
and priorities.
Local chapters across the nation are
chartered by the American Red Cross
and are responsible for providing
American Red Cross programs
and services within their assigned
jurisdictions. Most chapters have paid
employees. However, typically the
chapter is governed by a local,
volunteer board of directors
and primary service delivery is
accomplished by volunteers.
Additional Information
To learn more about the history, mission
and structure of the American Red
Cross, as well as about American Red
Cross Swimming and Water Safety,
Lifeguarding and First Aid and CPR/
AED programs, visit the Red Cross Web
site at www.redcross.org.