Can the instructor act as the lifeguard on duty during in-water portions of the class?

The instructor cannot act as the lifeguard on duty during the in-water portions of a class to ensure safety and compliance with guidelines set by the American Red Cross and other regulatory bodies. This separation of roles is crucial as it allows the instructor to focus on teaching and supervising the students without being distracted by lifeguard responsibilities.

Instructors are tasked with providing instruction and oversight specific to the learning objectives of the class, which is distinctly different from the responsibilities of actively monitoring and ensuring the safety of participants in the water. By not assuming the dual role of both instructor and lifeguard, the integrity of the teaching environment is maintained, and the instructor can fully concentrate on the students' learning experience.

This policy is designed to ensure that there is a dedicated lifeguard whose sole responsibility is the safety of individuals in the water, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring that appropriate and immediate responses can be made if an emergency arises while the instructor is engaged in teaching.