1. Red Cross Swim Program Update
September 2010
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

2. About the Update - Keeping our Promise
It has been 5 years since the launch of the Red Cross Swim Program. At the launch we committed to a review of the program at the 5 year mark. We committed to our promise and conducted surveys, gathering feedback from our WSITs, and Training Partners. Based on this feedback we have made improvements to the Red Cross Swim program and would like to take this opportunity to share those changes with you.
Program Update Objectives
To provide Water Safety Instructor Trainers with information on the changes to the program
To assist WSITs in becoming familiar with new Course Content
To provide a timeline of when the changes to the program will be implemented
To provide WSIT’s with information on how this will all affect the courses they teach
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

3. Table of Contents Section 1- Red Cross Swim Preschool
Section 2- Red Cross Swim Kids
Section 3- Red Cross Swim at School
Section 4- Red Cross Adults and Teens
Section 5- Red Cross Instructor Development Program
Section 6 – Change in products
Implementation
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

4. Section 1 Red Cross Swim Preschool
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

5. Red Cross Swim Preschool
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO PRESCHOOL LEVELS
Revised the levels to ensure that the skills are based on developmental abilities ( 4 months to 12 months; 12 months to 24 months; 24 months to 36 months).
Added Sea Otter level- Sea Otter and Salamander is the content from the previous Salamander program - it is an easier transition for swimmers from Sea Turtle as well as manageable for new swimmers starting at age 3
There is now revised/updated content in levels, and revised lesson plans
Preschool levels are now geared for swimmers between the ages of 4 months to 5 years old.
All of these changes helps to create a smoother transition from Red Cross Swim Preschool to Red Cross Swim Kids
Theme songs are no longer required during each lesson, however “Play and Songs” are still an important part of the Fitness Activities section of each level.
3 times in one lesson has now been removed, just need to see skill 3 times in a whole session
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

6. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Starfish
Added Choosing a PFD/Lifejacket to Skills and Water Safety
Removed Move Forward (Assisted)
Removed Move Backward (Assisted)
Removed Arm Movement (Assisted)
Duck
No Changes
Sea Turtle
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

7. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Sea Otter *NEW*
Play and Songs
Kick on Front with Buoyant Object (1m)
Distance Swim (1m)
Facility Orientation and Active Supervision
Stop, Look, Ask (Find the Adult)
Safe Entries and Exits
PFD & Me (Assisted)
Open Eyes Underwater
Rhythmic Breathing 3 Times
Front Float and Recovery – 3 Seconds
Back Float and Recover – 3 Seconds
Front Glide – 3 Seconds
Back Glide – 3 Seconds (Assisted)
Front Swim 1m (Assisted)
Fitness Activities
Skills and Water Safety
Swimming
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

8. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Salamander
Adjusted Rhythmic Breathing from 3 times to 5 times
Changed Front Float and Recovery - no minimum time required for the skill
Changed Back Float and Recovery - no minimum time required for the skill
Removed Roll Over Float – 6 seconds
Changed Front Glide from 3 seconds to 2 meter
Changed Back Glide from 3 seconds to 2 meter
Changed Roll Over Glide- no time required to 2 meter
Adjusted Front Swim from 3 meters (Assisted) to 2 meter (Unassisted)
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

9. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Sunfish
Removed Intro to Synchronized Swimming-Floats and Glides.
Moved Weight Transfer in Shallow Water to Chest-Deep
Removed Stop! Call for Help!
Changed Front Glide 5 Seconds – 5 Meters
Changed Back Glide 5 Seconds – 5 Meters
Distance Swim still 5 Meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

10. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Crocodile
Removed Intro to Synchronized Swimming Bathtub and Floats
Changed Change Direction in Deep Water (Assisted) to Jump into deep water, surface support 10 sec
Removed Weight Transfer in Shallow Water
Changed Front Glide with Kick 3 x 2 meters to 2 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

11. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Whale
Moved Continuous Swim 10 Meters from Skills and Water Safety to Fitness Activities 15 Meters
Removed Intro to Synchronized Swimming Somersaults, Bathtub and Floats
Removed Relay Activities
Changed Kicking Drill 2 x 10 Meters to 15 Meter
Removed Whale Kick
Added Jump into deep water, swim 5m, stationary surface support 20 sec
Adjusted Distance Swim from 2 x 10 meters to 15 meters
Removed Changed Direction in Deep Water
Changed Front Glide with Kick 3x 5 meters to 10 meters
Changed Back Glide with Kick 3x 5 meters to 10meters
Changed Side Glide with Kick 5 meters to 10 meters
Changed Front Crawl 7 Meters to Front Swim 10 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

12. Red Cross Swim Preschool- What has Changed?
Preschool Level
Register in
Incomplete or Complete Sea Otter, Salamander
RCSK 1
Incomplete Sunfish
Complete Sunfish or incomplete Crocodile
RCSK 2
Complete Crocodile or incomplete Whale
RCSK 3
Complete Whale
RCSK 4
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

13. Section 2 Red Cross Swim Kids
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

14. Red Cross Swim Kids- Summary of Changes
Stroke Performance Criteria has been revised to be even more reflective of the developmental abilities of the age group(s)
Content has been revised for increased continuity for smoother progressions of Red Cross Swim Kids levels 4 to 8
Our research identified instructors who were spending a significant amount of time on butterfly but were not comfortable teaching the stroke. As a result, it has been removed from the Red Cross Swim Kids Program. Dolphin Kick remains in the program as a fitness activity.
Fitness: removed Side Stroke from fitness item and moved into Strokes. It now has performance criteria that is evaluated.
Candidates can now enter the Red Cross Swim Kids program at age 5 instead of age 6.
3 times in one lesson has now been removed, just need to see skill 3 times in a whole session
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

15. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed EMS-moved to Level 2
Adjusted Front Glide from 3 seconds to 5 seconds
Adjusted Back Glide 3 seconds to 5 seconds
Removed Back Glide with Kick 5 seconds
Changed Roll Over Floats 6 seconds to 5 seconds
Changed Distance swim remains at 5 meters to 10 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

16. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Adjusted Site Rules to Follow Site Rules
Added EMS
Adjusted Front Glide with Flutter Kick from 3 x 5 meters in one lesson to 10 meters
Adjusted Back Glide with Flutter Kick from 3 x 5 meters in one lesson to 5 meters
Adjusted Side Glide with Flutter Kick from 3 meters to 5 meters
Adjusted Front Swim from 3 x 5 meters in one lesson to 5 meters with kick
Added Roll Over Floats 6 Seconds
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

17. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Adjusted Flutter Kick Drill 3 x 15 meters in one
lesson to 15 meters
Removed Weight Transfer, Shallow Water
Added PDF/Lifejackets in Deep water to Skills and Water Safety
Adjusted Front Glide with Flutter Kick from 3 x 10 meters in one lesson, to 10
Adjusted Back Glide with Flutter Kick from 3 x 10 meters in one lesson to 10 meters
Adjusted Side Glide with Flutter Kick from 5 seconds to 10 meters
Added Flutter Kick to Front Glide/Side Glide Combination 10 meters(assisted)
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

18. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Adjusted Flutter Kick Drill on Back from 3 x 15
meters in ones lesson, to 15 meters
Adjusted Front Glide/Side Glide combination from no required distance to 15 meters
Adjusted Back Glide with Kick and Shoulder Roll 3 x 10 meters to 15 meters
Adjusted Front Crawl 3 x 10 meters in one lesson, to 10 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

19. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed Dolphin Kick Drill 3 x 5 meters in one lesson
Added Kicking Drill 25 meters to Fitness Activities
Adjusted Front Crawl 3 x 15 meters in one lesson to 15 meters
Adjusted Back Crawl 3 x 15 meters in one lesson to 15 meters
Adjusted Introduction to Whip Kick on Back 3 x 5 meters in one lesson, to Introduction to Whip Kick 10 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

20. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed Kicking Drill 3 x 25 meters in one lesson
Added Dolphin Kick Drill 10 meters
Adjusted Victim Recognition and Simulation to Distressed Swimmer Recognition and Simulation
Removed Head First Sculling on Back 5 meters
Adjusted Front crawl 3 x 15 meters in one lesson, to 25 meters
Adjusted Back Crawl 3 x 15 meters in one lesson, to 25 meters
Adjusted Elementary Back Stroke 3 x 15 meters in one lesson, to 15 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

21. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Added dolphin Kick Drill 15 meters to Fitness Activities
Adjusted Elementary Back Stroke from 3 x 25 meters in one lesson to 25 meters
Adjusted Whip Kick on Front from 3 x 15 meters in one lesson to 15 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

22. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed Dolphin Kick Drill 3 x meters
Adjusted Breast Stroke 3 x 15 meters in one lesson to 15 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

23. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed Combination of Stroke Drills
Adjusted Breast Stroke 3 x 25 meters in one lesson, to 25 meters
Added Side Stroke Kick 15 meters to Swimming Skills
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

24. Red Cross Swim Kids- What has Changed?
Removed Butterfly Drill 3 x meters in one lesson
Moved Side Stroke from Fitness Activities to Swimming Skills. Adjusted distance to 25 meters
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

25. Section 3 Red Cross Swim @ School
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

26. Red Cross Swim at School- Summary of Changes
Progress Certificate has been changed to offer the new program levels - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. English and French are now separate products.
Content for the worksheets has been updated
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

27. Red Cross Swim @ School- What has Changed?
Reorganized program into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels (as opposed to swimmer, safety, fitness)
Enables a better distribution of kids in a classroom
Beginner=Swim Kids 1-3, Intermediate=Swim Kids 4-7, Advance=Swim Kids 8-10
Divide class according to what level the child has achieved in Swim Kids program
Great program for summer camps as they have a limited amount of time and can only accommodate a few lessons (not a set of 8-12 lessons)
Added to Advanced level – swimming with clothes on and with a PFD
Continues to be focussed on swimming, some content on safety in each level
No lesson plans
Still participation-based – based on what they achieve in each lesson, its easier to identify which level they should register into next
Changing certificate- to be in booklet form? Shelley to confirm.
Same participation stickers (featuring Buckles)
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

28. Section 4 Red Cross Adults and Teens
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

29. Red Cross Adults and Teens- Summary of Changes
Red Cross Swim Basics 1 will focus on developing comfort in the water through attainment of basic flotation, movement and breathing skills.
New - Red Cross Swim Basics 2 works on front/back crawl, distance swim, self rescue and rescue of others skills.
Worksheets for Red Cross Swim Sports and Red Cross Swim Strokes have been developed.
Lesson plans have been revised
Journal includes Swim Basics 1 & 2
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

30. Teens and Adults – What has changed?
Red Cross Swim Strokes – added worksheets – focus on performance criteria from Swim Kids 5-10 (must finish Level 4) – no lesson plans, just strokes
Red Cross Swim Sports – if inserting into Swim Kids line-up, use Swim Kids progress card to track achievements – for adults, use journal to track
Red cross Swim Sports – added a worksheet to track attendance and participation for all nine modules
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

31. Section 5 Red Cross Instructor Development Program
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

32. Red Cross IDP- Summary of Changes
Water Safety Instructor age requirement was reduced to 15 years of age to reduce the wait time between the AWSI and WSI courses.
Candidates have a reduced number of hours and paperwork required for the teaching experience component.
Included more activities on working with preschoolers and parents in the AWSI course.
Updated teaching experience assignments and mini session plans developed for teaching experience.
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

33. Red Cross IDP-What has Changed?
AWSI manual –
removed butterfly from strokes chapter;
updated fitness chapter; skills and water safety chapter based on skills and research (no longer stay with boat if you capsize in cold water);
removed some appendices and lesson plan CD – now available on ;
Updated stroke chart
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

34. Red Cross IDP-What has Changed?
WSI manual –
removed strategy resource chapter 8 and level-by-level summaries out of preschool and kids chapters, and some appendices - now available on
inserted assistant lifeguard instructor supplement (this is for WSIs who complete the cert process to be an assistant lifeguard instructor)
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

35. Red Cross IDP-What has Changed?
Teaching experience forms will be in the manuals and also on
WSIT manual
has been updated
Facilitator guides for teaching each AWSI and WSI courses are also being updated and will be available at Trainer section of the Training Partner website
© Canadian Red Cross 2008

36. Section 6 Red Cross Swim Program Changes to Products
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

37. Red Cross Swim Preschool
Red Cross Swim Preschool Products
Progress Booklet - content updated, size will change to accommodate added level and added room for comments
Stickers - no changes other than the addition of new Sea Otter sticker
Worksheets – content updated
Mid-Session Progress Memo – updated look
All electronic products updated – Red Cross Swim News, Lesson Plans etc. onto the Instructor Network
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

38. Red Cross Swim Kids Red Cross Swim Kids Products
Progress Card – content updated, size will change to accommodate additional room for comments
Badges - no changes
Stickers - no changes
Certificate/medal – no changes
Worksheets – content updated
Mid-Session Progress Memo – updated look
All electronic products updated – Red Cross Swim News, Lesson Plans etc. onto the Instructor Network
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

39. Red Cross Swim @ School Products
Progress Certificate – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced levels in a progress card, English and French separate products
Stickers - no changes
Worksheets – content updated
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

40. Red Cross Swim for Adults and Teens
Red Cross Swim Program for Adults and Teens Products
Journal – content updated (added level Red Cross Swim Basics 2)
Worksheets – NEW Strokes, Basic 2, and Sports worksheets, others updated
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

41. Instructor Development Program
AWSI: AWSIM – content updated (supports and holds added to Developing Swimmer), removal of tabs and CD (CD content moves to Instructor Network)
Strokes Chart – content updated
WSI: WSIM – content updated, added ALGIS removal of tabs and moved Teaching Strategies section to Instructor Network
WSIT: WSITM – content updated
WSIT Facilitator’s Guide – content updated
AWSIM, WSIM, WSITM – all policies will move to Instructor Network
WSMIT: WSMITM – content updated
Lesson Plans: Move to Instructor Network, content updated (added lesson plans for Basics 2 and Sea Otter)
© Canadian Red Cross 2010

42. Leadership program will change as of January 2011.
Implementation
We are aiming for a January 2011 launch for the refreshed program and resources.
The implementation period for the new program will be January 2011 to December 2011.
This means that all Training partners will be required to be using the new program and materials by January 2012.
Leadership program will change as of January 2011.
© Canadian Red Cross 2008