New Lifeguarding Program Makes It Easier to Become and Remain an Instructor

The new American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is now designed to make it easier than ever to become and remain a lifeguarding instructor. The new program features four stand-alone courses including Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Attendant, Waterpark Lifeguarding and Waterfront Lifeguarding, and bridging opportunities are available for your instructors to upgrade to any of these certifications based on their facility needs. Successfully completing the desired basic level course and reviewing the instructional outline included in the instructor's manual is all the instructor needs to do!

Connie Harvey, project manager of research and project development at the American Red Cross National Headquarters believes, "It is not just the course that will help build instructor capacity-it is the changes to the instructor bridging options and the reauthorization rules that will help cultivate and keep instructors."

Another reason the new program is easier for instructors is because the actual length of the instructor course is shorter. AED training is now a required component of the basic Lifeguarding course, which means that it is no longer a skill that is taught in the instructor course, and candidates will already come with the necessary AED knowledge and skills. In addition, the Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Preventing Disease Transmission component is now assigned as a take home self-study exam, which gives instructors the ability to complete that component at their own convenience.

Not only is the actual instructor certification process simplified, but the instructor update process is now more convenient than ever. With the launch of the online Lifeguarding Instructor's update on Instructor's Corner, instructors can register at www.redcross.org/instructorscorner and update to the new program quickly and conveniently-with no retraining necessary. Instructors are also given the option to attend a group orientation at their local chapter or aquatic facility. For more information on group orientations or on how to facilitate an update at your aquatic facility, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.

The Red Cross also offers several new products designed to make lifeguard instructors' jobs easier and help them refine their teaching techniques. Aquatic facilities like yours can benefit from these tools to help you grow your programs.

Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual with CD-ROM Stock No. 655730 Retail Price $32.99

New Instructor's Manual with CD-ROM
The new Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual contains the resources necessary to teach the entire lifeguarding portfolio, such as Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Waterpark Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Attendant, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Lifeguard Management, plus optional training in Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Administering Emergency Oxygen. It gives flexibility to instructors on what and how they teach. Lifeguarding instructors are also given the ability teach lay responder and professional rescuer level courses to other staff and community members by obtaining the appropriate material needed for those courses. Plus, the instructor's manual includes a CD-ROM that is loaded with course outlines, presentation tools, skill sheets as well as information on review and challenge courses.

Lifeguarding Instructor's Kit Stock No. 655733 Retail Price $67.98

New Lifeguarding Instructor's Kit
The new Lifeguarding Instructor's Kit is an easy way to get your facility the materials needed to start teaching the complete Lifeguard Program, plus courses such as CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Administering Emergency Oxygen. The kit comes with everything compiled in a sturdy binder that makes for added convenience and portability.

Lifeguard Management Manual with CD-ROM Stock No. 654148 Retail Price $26.99

New Lifeguard Management Manual with CD-ROM
Lifeguarding instructors are also required to obtain and retain the new Lifeguard Management Manual, which is not included in the Lifeguarding Instructor's Kit. This manual includes new management topics and additional records and reports, as well as nearly 100 in-service training outlines on topics such as sexual harassment, assertiveness, communication, fitness and emergency scenarios. The manual includes a CD-ROM packaged with customizable tools. This replaces the Lifeguard Management Participant's Kit, Stock No. 654143.

Lifeguarding DVD Set Stock No. 655732 Retail Price $290.00

New Lifeguarding DVD Set
This three-DVD set includes new footage and engaging scenarios where all of the skills-even first aid, CPR, AED and administering oxygen-are performed by actual lifeguards, making it more relevant for course participants. Components covered in the DVD include:

The new video support available makes for a clearer understanding of key concepts along with improving the overall program standardization.

New DVD Helps Instructors Learn How to Teach As a bonus, the Lifeguarding DVD set also includes a brand new section on Teaching Lifeguarding, which is designed to help instructors improve their teaching skills and the consistency of the content they teach. Harvey believes, "The video support was added to the Lifeguarding Instructor course to help new instructors learn how to set up and conduct Lifeguarding courses efficiently and effectively. The focus of the video segments is not on what to teach, but rather how to teach to get the most out of each course." The Teaching Lifeguarding section of the DVD covers topics such as: • Introduction to Teaching Lifeguarding-provides an overview of what they will learn in the course and what courses they are eligible to teach upon successful completion of the course. • Effective Class Management-helps apply many of the concepts introduced in Fundamentals of Instructor Training course to the training of lifeguards. It illustrates what steps an instructor should take to be well-prepared and organized for teaching Lifeguarding courses. • Conducting the Precourse Session-instructor candidates see what they should expect of new course participants. It helps them understand what is acceptable and what is not for individuals who wish to participate in a Lifeguarding course. • Conducting Skill Sessions-instructor candidates learn how to set up and conduct skill sessions to ensure that course participants get the most of the training. • Observation and Assessment-helps instructor candidates understand how to evaluate progress of course participants and how to give appropriate feedback to improve skill acquisition. • The Critical Eye-helps instructor candidates apply the concepts of observation and assessment. • Conducting Activities and Scenarios-instructor candidates learn how to set up the different types of activities and scenarios that are used throughout the Lifeguarding courses, including the final skill scenarios. "These Teaching Lifeguarding video segments provide instructor candidates with examples of how to handle all of the different aspects of teaching Lifeguarding courses. The visual examples, coupled with the activities and practice-teaching assignments, help new instructors be well-prepared for their teaching experiences from the beginning," stated Harvey. She went on to say that the segments are an integral part of the Lifeguarding Instructor course and provide an additional level of support for training new instructors. "This visual support brings to life many of the teaching concepts and strategies by giving instructor candidates a look inside multiple Lifeguarding classes in action. By seeing the application of the concepts and strategies, new instructors are well-prepared to hit the ground running as instructors who efficiently and effectively manage and conduct their classes," she concluded. For more information about Lifeguarding instructor matters, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter.

Connie Harvey is a project manager in Research and Product Development at the American Red Cross National Headquarters. Connie was the technical development lead for the 2004 revision of the Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program and most recently had a leading role in the technical development of the new Lifeguarding program. She is a regular speaker at national conferences and has appeared on many national media outlets such as Today on NBC, CNN Headline News, Live With Regis and Kelly and The Early Show (CBS This Morning).

For more information, contact your local American Red Cross chapter.
To order program materials, contact your local chapter, call (800) 667-2968
or visit www.shopstaywell.com.

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