The American Red Cross has officially launched a new water safety instructor certification program and anyone currently teaching the 2004 programs must update to the new curriculum by Dec. 31, 2009. Among the changes, the new program includes three levels of preschool aquatics, a revised distribution of swimming pool skills throughout ability levels, and a new Personal Water Safety Course.
Changes were made to better emphasize drowning prevention and water safety in a variety of age groups and abilities, said Michelle Jantz, a health and safety expert with ARC.
For more information, view a Webinar on the topic. To update online, visit www.instructorscorner.org/redcross.