Effective since 1988, all coach members are required to fulfill safety training requirements as established by the USA Swimming Board of Directors. USA Swimming currently requires coach members to present evidence of having successfully completed and passed the following courses: Safety Training for Swim Coaches, CPR, and First Aid.

Local Swimming Committees (LSCs) enforce these requirements largely through the membership function. Justification for the requirements may be found in legislation passed over the years by the USA Swimming House of Delegates. The following passages are found in the 2007 Rules and Regulations:

• Article 202.3.3 “….all persons acting in any coaching capacity in a sanctioned event must be coach members of USA Swimming, Inc.”
• Article 502.4.3 “All coaches of USA Swimming clubs, including seasonal clubs, shall join USA Swimming as coach members and shall satisfactorily complete safety training and background screening required by USA Swimming.”

A list of acceptable First Aid, CPR and STSC courses is below. Taking courses that are not on this list will not be acceptable for coach membership.

From an insurance standpoint, you are no longer insured as a coach as of the date that any of your safety cards expire. You are immediately considered a non-athlete member who is no longer a coach.