How to Teach Swimming & Water Safety

To legally teach students about water safety and safe swimming practices, one must become a certified swimming teacher through the American Red Cross. Certified teachers have the tools and resources to teach about the basic swimming and water safety practices. These safety practices are covered during the certification process, and they should be discussed with children before swimming in any type of water or pool.

Things You'll Need

  • Life vests
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inform the children that no one enters the water without adult supervision. Swimming in water without supervision can be dangerous.

    • 2

      Impose rules on wearing life vests when swimming in the water. Life vests may be inconvenient for children, but are a safety precaution and can help children if they become tired while swimming. They are also recommended for children who are weak swimmers.

    • 3

      Create and share rules regarding swimming in the water. Setting the ground rules can help swimmers who may underestimate the water. For example, some rules could include no holding one's breath underwater, always be in clear view of an adult or lifeguard, and smaller children should not enter the water without an adult.

    • 4

      Avoid teaching in deep ends or larger pools of water. Children should be able to stand up straight in the water and have the surface of the water hit the belly button.

    • 5

      Inform children of the dangers of cold water and hypothermia. Let them know that it is important to come out of the water if it is too cold.

    • 6

      Teach children how to enter the water in a safe manner. Do not jump or dive into unknown waters. Always use the stairs or steps provided.

    • 7

      Teach swimming techniques in shallow water, so children can stop if they get tired. Teach the basic swimming strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke and survival backstroke. Mixing it up may make it more fun.

    • 8

      Use floating aids for beginners that support them in the water.

    • 9

      Teach basic breathing techniques to help the children breathe at the proper times when swimming. These techniques can be done one by one so adults can supervise all of the children who are underwater.

    • 10

      Practice safe rescue methods. This is important if someone gets hurt during an exercise or if someone needs help in a real-life situation.

    • 11

      Avoid alcohol or other mind-altering substances that can impair judgment severely.