Q: Do my Canadian Red Cross certifications have to be
"current" in order to take advantage of the Swim Transition
pathways?
No. The Lifesaving Society does not require prerequisites to be
current. However, the Society requires proof that you hold the
necessary prerequisites.
With your permission, Canadian Red Cross will transfer your
certification data and contact information to the Lifesaving
Society. If you do not grant permission, you yourself are
responsible for providing the necessary proof of prerequisite
certifications (e.g., certification card) to the Lifesaving
Society.
Swim Transition Instructor Clinic questions
Q: Should I purchase the Swim for Life Award
Guide prior to taking the online, self-directed Swim
Transition Instructor clinic?
No. Enrollment procedure includes the required purchase of the
Swim for Life Award Guide. A digital copy will be
available to you immediately. A hard copy will be shipped to
you.
Q: May an affiliate purchase the Swim for Life Award
Guide in bulk for staff taking the online, self-directed Swim
Transition Instructor clinic?
No. Currently, this option is not available for the online,
self-directed clinic.
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Q: May an affiliate purchase the Swim for Life Award
Guide in bulk for staff taking a online instructor-led or
in-person Swim Transition Instructor clinic?
Maybe, if your Lifesaving Society provincial/territorial branch
is offering these options. Contact your Lifesaving Society office
for information.
Swim for Life Program questions
Q: What guiding principles did the Lifesaving Society
use in designing the Swim for Life program?
The Swim for Life program is grounded in the Society's mission:
Basic swimming ability is a requirement of any meaningful attempt
to eliminate drowning in Canada. All Canadians need to learn to
swim.
Swim for Life focuses on the acquisition and development of
fundamental swim strokes and skills for learners of all ages and
abilities. Learning Swim to Survive skills and achieving the
Lifesaving Society's Swim to Survive Standard are embedded in the
Swim for Life Program.
Swim for Life is designed to be accessible, flexible,
success-oriented and fun, with lots of in-water practice in every
lesson.
Swim for Life flows seamlessly into the Society's lifesaving and
vocational training awards, providing a complete, coherent, program
of integrated swimming and lifesaving instruction.
Water Smart education is an integral part of Swim for Life and
provides information and experiences that help participants make
smart decisions in, on and around water and ice. Appropriate water
safety messages based on the learning from our drowning research
target Swim for Life participants at each level.
Q: Why does Swim for Life focus on just three
strokes?
Swim for Life focuses on the development of competency in front
crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. These are the three most
efficient swimming strokes and the foundation of every swimmer's
repertoire. Investing the time to learn the basic mechanics of
these strokes early pays off in stroke efficiency throughout one's
life.
Q: Why interval training over endurance
training?
Swim for Life curriculum focuses on the acquisition and
development of efficient strokes in two ways:
- First, by stressing the basic mechanics over relatively short
distances - which increase (as do the "Must See" performance
standards) as one advances through Swim for Life levels.
- Second, by using a variety of training methods (e.g., sprints,
interval training, workouts) that require the swimmer to focus on
stroke efficiency and the development of physical fitness.
Endurance training is introduced in the Society's Canadian Swim
Patrol and Bronze awards when swimmers have acquired firm
foundation in stroke mechanics and an awareness of fitness training
methodology.
Q: Who can teach Canadian Swim Patrol?
Current Lifesaving Instructors or Swim for Life Instructors
teach and evaluate all items and certify candidates.