If you'd like to become a swim teacher or instructor in the United States, you'll need to get a recognized certification from an authority such as the American Red Cross or the US Swim Schools Association (USSSA). One of the requirements for such a certification is a CPR qualification. This is not only incredibly useful for swimming teachers and instructors, but it's obligatory. Every swim teacher knows that water safety doesn't begin and end with stroke technique. It includes being prepared for emergencies, and that’s where CPR and first aid certification come in. As a swim instructor, getting certified isn’t just a smart move—it’s often a requirement. Fortunately, there are many ways to get certified, including free CPR classes both online and in-person. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why certification is essential, what to expect during training, and where you can earn your credentials without spending a dime.
Do Swimming Teachers Need a CPR Certificate in the US?
For some, a CPR certificate for swimming instructors seems fairly obvious, but others might be wondering why a swimming teacher or instructor, especially those working in pools with a lifeguard on duty, would require a certification and CPR training.
Firstly, swimming teachers need to be prepared for emergencies. A lifeguard is also prepared for emergencies, but they're generally watching over competent swimmers. Swimming teachers won't be directly putting their students in danger, of course, but they will likely be working directly with non-swimmers or even weak swimmers in the water. They'll be the students' closest contact and often the first person to reach them if an emergency occurs.
Swimming teachers and instructors in the US also need other certifications on top of a CPR certification because it's often a legal requirement. This is both for their own protection as well as the protection of the students. Legally, the CPR certification will provide the swimming teacher or instructor with certain legal protections, since if they have to provide CPR, they're certified to do so.
Another reason a CPR certificate is essential for swimming instructors is for insurance purposes. Pools and organizations benefit from having instructors and teachers with the necessary skills in an emergency. A CPR certificate, much like a recognized swimming instructor certification, also helps maintain a much higher level of professional standards for instructors and teachers. Students will know that their teacher is held to a certain professional standard, which will also help teachers find students and work more easily.
Where Can You Get a CPR Certificate for Swimming Instructors or Teachers?
It would be great if we could point you in the exact direction of where to go to add that CPR certificate to your inventory. However, in most cases, swimming instructors and teachers don’t need a specific CPR certificate. Generally, the important thing is that you have a CPR course from a reputable organization.
The length of a CPR class varies depending on the course type and provider, but most basic CPR classes take around 2 to 4 hours to complete. This includes hands-on practice, instruction on techniques, and sometimes a brief written test.
You’ll find that most of the swimming instructor certifications here in the US recognize any CPR certification, since quite a lot of time is spent on safety skills throughout their courses anyway. In order to guide you in the direction of some of the reputable places where you can attain a CPR certification, we’ve gathered some of the best options to get your search off the ground.
American Red Cross
Let’s start with the most recogniwable options and most commonly opted for organizations out there, the American Red Cross. If you’ve done any research on swimming instructor certification courses, then this is likely the primary name that you’ve seen crop up time and time again. Well, there’s a good reason for its prevalence in your search thus far, as the American Red Cross are actually the primary body offering recognized first aid and CPR training that swimming instructors can use to get their certification.
It’s easy to understand why so many students go straight to the Red Cross when it comes to preparing to become a qualified swimming instructor.
They offer a one-stop shop when it comes to the certification proccess as they actually have CPR/AED certification included as part of their broader lifesaving courses.
Throughout your time learning with the Red Cross, you’ll learn CPR skills, including how to respond when someone isn't breathing normally, how to perform compressions, and how to use a defibrillator.
So, you can take confidence knowing that if disaster ever were to strike during one of your swimming classes, or at any point in life for that matter, you’ll be well equipped to handle the situation. You can expect a mix of theoretical and practical learning over the course of taking this CPR course, ensuring that you go beyond ticking the box of any prerequisites you might need in advance of becoming a certified swimming instructor.
American Heart Association (AHA)
One of the great things about training to become a swimming instructor here in the US is that there are more learning opportunities available than almost anywhere else in the world. Moving on to another well-recognized and reputable organization offering CPR courses for aspiring instructors like yourself, we’ve got the American Heart Association.
Their CPR courses are widely accepted, not just when it comes to swimming instructor certifications, but across all sorts of fields.
If you choose to enroll in a CPR certification course here, you’ll have plenty of options at your disposal, including Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers and Heartsaver CPR AED for lay rescuers.
Before biting the bullet and going right ahead with your learning, you might be wondering what makes AHA courses stand out from some of the other options out there.
Well, among many other reasons, students and instructors alike attest to their high-quality, evidence-based content. Those who intend to work or study while they go about their training also love that they offer both in-person and blended learning options, allowing participants to complete part of the course online before attending a hands-on skills session.
Lifeguard-Pro – CPR & First Aid Instructor Certification
The other giant in the CPR & First Aid certificate sphere would certainly be Lifeguard-Pro. The reason it’s amassed such a reputation is that they offer a comprehensive two-part CPR & First Aid Instructor Certification Course that suits aspiring swim instructors down to the ground. In terms of the program structure, it kicks off with a home-study portion that offers a chance to develop a base-level knowledge at your own pace before taking part in a one-day, instructor-led training session.
So, if you’re looking for flexible learning options while you come to grips with the theoretical portion, this course has you covered. Through the practical portion of your learning, you’ll practice CPR for adults, children, and infants, as well as first aid and bloodborne pathogens. After all the hard work is said and done, you’ll be able to add the nationally and internationally recognized certifications to your resume and be on your way to giving swimming lessons and a swimming instructor's salary.
Aquatic Solutions – CPR/AED Certification
At this point, the high standard and abundance of options available across the US should be apparent when it comes to CPR and First Aid courses. Aquatic Solutions is another leading provider of American Red Cross classes, offering CPR and AED certification courses that have actually been tailored for aquatic professionals. So, if you’re the kind of person who needs to see the practical application of their learning, then this might just be the option for you.
Their programs are available in a number of locations across the US, including New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Texas, making it an attractive option for swim instructors nationwide. It’s only natural to want to walk into each class with the peace of mind knowing that if anything were to happen at any given time, you’d be in a position to react.
CPR certification usually lasts two years from the date you complete the course. After this period, recertification is required to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up-to-date with the latest guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association or the Red Cross.
This is one of the reasons why so many students opt to take their CPR and AED certification here. The program really focused on equipping participants with the skills necessary to respond effectively to cardiac and breathing emergencies. Taking your course here will allow you to bring your mind back to where it matters most, instructing your students through their swimming lessons.
What To Do Once You Have Your CPR Certificate
Your CPR certificate is required for your swimming instructor certification, and to be a swimming instructor or teacher, you'll need to ensure that both your certification and CPR certificate are valid, which means regularly renewing them when necessary. Both are typically valid for several years.
When it's time to renew your swimming instructor certification, you'll find that there are actually extension courses allowing you to specialize in certain aspects of swimming instruction, like teaching swimming to infants, aquaphobics, disabled swimmers, or simply adults learning to swim later in life. These specializations not only enhance your skills and versatility as an instructor but can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities, with experienced swim teachers earning upwards of $60,000 annually depending on location and demand.
Start Working as a Swimming Instructor or Teacher
Once you have your CPR certificate and your swimming instructor certification, you're ready to start planning swimming lessons. There are many different ways to go about starting your career as a swimming instructor or teacher in the US.
Naturally, you'll want to look for work at swimming pools. While open water swimming is certainly an option, you'll understand why it's not particularly suitable for novice or weak swimmers. You can either offer swimming lessons through a pool, gym, leisure center, hotel, or as a private swimming instructor. Generally, a typical swimming instructor's wage in the US varies, but it often starts around $15-20 per hour, depending on your experience, location, and the type of lessons you offer. If you'd like more control over your rates, you could become a private swimming instructor. You can create a profile on Superprof and start advertising your services to people across the United States and around the world.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
