WSI - Water Safety Instructor Starts, Turns, and Diving 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?

Accepted Answer

9 feet (2.75 meters)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

"Aim your body up and over the water, as if going over a barrel."

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

On the back, with knees bent and toes pointing up.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

A dive from a kneeling position.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Breaststroke and Butterfly

Answer

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.

WSI - Water Safety Instructor Practice Test

WSI - Water Safety Instructor Practice Test

WSI - Water Safety Instructor Starts, Turns, and Diving Questions and Answers