• WSI-Skills Evaluation* – 3-6 hours
• WSI-Online – 14-20 hours
• WSI-Teaching Experience – minimum 8 hours
• WSI-Classroom and Pool – 9 hours classroom, 12 hours pool.

* WSI-Skills Evaluation can be completed before, during or after

the WSI-Online or WSI-Teaching Experience, but must be

completed before attending the WSI-Classroom and Pool.

15 years or older, ability to perform Red Cross Swim Kids 10 strokes and skills, and hold one of the following certifications (not required to be current): Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard, Emergency First Aid or equivalent (Bronze Cross certification is the required prerequisite in Quebec).

• Attend, participate in, and complete 100% of all four course components.
• WSI-Teaching Experience: complete a minimum of 4 hours** in each of a Red Cross Swim Preschool and a Red Cross Swim Kids class within 6 months of finishing the WSI-Online.

** Red Cross recommends completing an entire session

Upon successful completion, candidates are certified for 1 year as a WSI, which allows them to teach Red Cross Swim programs without direct supervision.

Complete 3 Water Safety Instructor-Online Professional Development Modules within 1 year of WSI expiry date for a 1-year certification extension at no additional fee. WSIs who do not complete these modules, must attend a WSI Recertification Course.

Attend a recertification course every 2 years (2 hours classroom, 3 hours pool).

• Water Safety Instructor Workbook
• Red Cross Swim Deck Book
• PIN and password for WSI-Online

All course components are evaluated against specific evaluation criteria on a pass/fail basis.