Instructor Training FAQs

Become a Survival Swim Network Instructor

If you love children, love the water, and are looking for a rewarding career, then becoming a Survival Swim Network instructor is right for you. As an instructor, you'll teach children as young as 6 months old the proven Swim Float Survive^SM method, equipping them with the necessary skills to survive in the water while also becoming confident, capable swimmers.

Being a Survival Swim Instructor

It can look like anything you want it to. Upon completion of the six-week training, you can design your business model on how it best fits your lifestyle. You can start a program in a backyard pool or rent space as a single instructor, or you can eventually hire employees and grow your business to the point that you own your own facility. When it comes to your business, the options are endless.

Survival Swimming Explained

Survival swimming is the ability for infants and young children to save themselves in an aquatic accident by teaching them to roll to their back, rest, breathe, and wait for help. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4 years. The Survival Swim Development Network is here to help educate, train and mentor instructors to prevent this tragedy in each of our communities.

Training Expectations

This 6-week training program is designed to give you all the tools you need to be a successful Survival Swim Instructor. You will have hands-on training with a variety of unskilled babies and preschool children. Through individualized training, you will receive a high-quality learning experience that includes lessons from Instructor Trainers with more than 100 years of combined experience with over tens of thousands of children.

Training Includes the Following:

• Minimum of 20 in water training days with over 100 hours of instruction.
• Hands-on training with a variety of unskilled babies and preschool children within a 6 week period.
• A focus on child development, anatomy, physiology, and behaviorism as it relates to swimming with young children.
• Training on the safety guidelines as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• 15-minute lesson structure.
• Business Development Coaching.
• Flexible training start dates.

Benefits of Becoming a Survival Swim Instructor

• Certificate of Completion.
• Annual continuing education opportunities.
• Membership in our nonprofit professional organization.
• Access to the Instructor Trainer Team.
• Access to mentoring from Survival Swim School owners.
• A personal listing on the survivalswim.net website with a hotlink to your marketing.
• Access to closed Facebook Group for ongoing instructor support.
• And don’t forget- you own your own business and make your own schedule.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Yes! As an active member of our network, you have access to our annual continued education opportunities and access to mentors year-round. You have ongoing instructor support through our closed Facebook group as well as access to business support from multiple large swim school owners.

The Cost of Becoming a Survival Swim Instructor?

There is a one-time training cost of $11,500 (other certifications are $12,000 plus, and have additional fees for updates and in-water retraining). Annual Membership Dues are $200 and there are optional conference enrollments throughout the year. Any other continued education (in the form of mentorship and zoom meetings) is free.