SSI Level 1 & 2 Swim Teacher Certification

Description

The SSI Level 1 & Level 2 Swim Teacher combination is the professional certification path that qualifies individuals to teach the full range of SSI’s recreational swim programs for children and teenagers. This dual qualification transitions a teacher from instructing fundamental water safety to mastering technical competitive strokes.

Core Candidate Prerequisites

• Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be certified at either level.
• Medical Clearance: Professional candidates are required to provide a self declare based on a medical condition dated within one year of the training completion date.
• Water Fitness Evaluation: Candidates must pass the Swim Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation if it has been more than six months since their last evaluation. This evaluation consists of treading water for 10 minutes without aids and completing a 100-metre surface swim without stopping or standing.
• Sequential Training: To earn the Level 2 certification, a candidate must already hold an SSI Level 1 Swim Teacher certification.

Administrative and Safety Requirements

Before final certification can be issued, the following must be uploaded to the candidate’s MySSI profile:

• Emergency Training: Proof of current First Aid and CPR training completed within the last two years.
• Professional Agreement: Completion and annual reaffirmation of the SSI Professional Agreement.
• Background Checks: SSI recommends that all professionals working with minors obtain a criminal background check or police clearance, which may be legally required depending on the region and country.

Essential Knowledge and Recommended Qualities

• Personal Attributes: Effective teachers must possess extreme patience and a deep understanding of a child’s psychological development.
• Professionalism: Candidates must act as role models at all times, promoting safe water practices and environmental awareness.
• Instructional Pillars: Training revolves around four main elements: Knowledge (replacing fear with information), Skills (repetition of form), Equipment (proper use of buoyancy aids), and Experience (hands-on teaching).
• Communication: Success requires the ability to provide clear explanations to students and parents while using positive reinforcement to build trust.

Training Path

To complete the dual certification, a candidate must:

• Complete all classroom academic sections and assessments in both the Level 1 and Level 2 Swim Teacher Instructor Manuals.
• Pass the program final exams with a minimum score of 90%.
• Level 1 Apprenticeship: Complete at least eight lessons (four in Aquatike and four in Beginner) under the supervision of a mentor, with a recommended total of four hours.
• Level 2 Apprenticeship: Complete at least six additional lessons (four in Intermediate and two in Advanced), with a recommended total of three hours.

Overall, the SSI Level 1 & 2 Swim Teacher combination establishes the technical foundation and practical experience necessary to lead students from ages 3 to 17 through the entire swim progression. It prepares professionals to teach everything from initial water acclimation to advanced, competitive-style strokes. Once certified, teachers can further their careers through Continuing Education programs, such as becoming an Adult Swim Teacher or a Baby Swim Teacher.