WSI - Water Safety Instructor Starts, Turns, and Diving Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A WSI is preparing to teach headfirst entries from the side of the pool. According to the American Red Cross, what is the minimum water depth required to safely conduct this activity?
- 5 feet (1.5 meters)
- 7 feet (2.1 meters)
- 9 feet (2.75 meters) (Correct answer)
- 12 feet (3.7 meters)
Correct answer: 9 feet (2.75 meters)
The American Red Cross sets strict safety standards for diving. To teach a headfirst entry from the side of a pool, the water must be at least 9 feet deep to provide a sufficient margin of safety and prevent head, neck, or spinal injuries.
Question 2: During a competitive backstroke start, the swimmer's hips are dropping low into the water upon entry, killing their momentum. Which of the following instructions would BEST help correct this error?
- "Push off the wall with less force."
- "Throw your head back as soon as you leave the wall."
- "Keep your feet lower on the gutter or wall."
- "Aim your body up and over the water, as if going over a barrel." (Correct answer)
Correct answer: "Aim your body up and over the water, as if going over a barrel."
A common error in the backstroke start is pushing straight back instead of up and back, causing a flat entry and sinking hips. Instructing the swimmer to visualize going 'up and over a barrel' encourages a powerful arch and a cleaner entry, helping to maintain momentum gained from the start. Throwing the head back too early or having low foot placement can worsen the problem.
Question 3: Which of the following describes the correct body position for a front crawl flip turn immediately after the somersault and as the feet make contact with the wall?
- On the stomach, with arms already in streamline.
- On the back, with knees bent and toes pointing up. (Correct answer)
- On the side, preparing to roll onto the stomach.
- In a vertical position, head pointing towards the surface.
Correct answer: On the back, with knees bent and toes pointing up.
In a front crawl flip turn, the swimmer performs a forward somersault, which places them on their back with their feet on the wall and toes pointing toward the surface. From this position, they can execute a powerful, streamlined push-off on their back before rotating back onto their stomach as they glide.
Question 4: A Water Safety Instructor is teaching the diving progression. Before allowing a student to attempt a standing dive from the side, they must first demonstrate proficiency with which prerequisite skill?
- A dive from a kneeling position. (Correct answer)
- A shallow-angle dive from a diving board.
- Treading water for one minute.
- A flip turn and streamlined glide.
Correct answer: A dive from a kneeling position.
The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program follows a specific, safe progression for teaching diving. The sequence builds confidence and technique gradually, starting with seated dives, then progressing to kneeling dives, and then to compact and stride positions before attempting a full standing dive from the side.
Question 5: For which two strokes are swimmers required by competitive rules to perform an open turn, touching the wall with both hands simultaneously?
- Front Crawl and Backstroke
- Backstroke and Butterfly
- Breaststroke and Butterfly (Correct answer)
- Front Crawl and Breaststroke
Correct answer: Breaststroke and Butterfly
Competitive swimming rules mandate that for both breaststroke and butterfly, the swimmer must touch the wall with two hands simultaneously before initiating their turn. Front crawl and backstroke utilize a flip turn where a hand touch is not required.
Question 6: When teaching a track start from a starting block, what is the proper placement for the swimmer's feet?
- Both feet side-by-side at the back of the block for balance.
- One foot at the front with toes curled over the edge, and the other foot back on the block. (Correct answer)
- Both feet at the very front of the block with heels hanging off.
- The feet can be anywhere as long as the swimmer feels comfortable.
Correct answer: One foot at the front with toes curled over the edge, and the other foot back on the block.
The track start is defined by its staggered foot position. One foot is placed at the front of the starting block with the toes wrapped over the edge for grip, while the other foot is placed further back, similar to a sprinter's stance in track and field. This allows for a more powerful forward drive.
WSI - Water Safety Instructor Starts, Turns, and Diving Questions and Answers
A WSI is preparing to teach headfirst entries from the side of the pool.
According to the American Red Cross, what is the minimum water depth required to safely conduct this activity?