PE 28A course syllabus

(Please note that these times are not quite the ones in the official schedule. The computer set us up with Monday 10:30 to 11:20 and 11:30 to 12:20, but with Wednesday 10:30 to 12:20. Students in previous classes decided that it worked better when we were in the pool to meet until 12:15 to have more time to shower and get to the next class, and to run until 12:20 when we were in a classroom, so that is how we ran the class. Likewise we did not always need a break Fridays at precisely 10:45 for 15 minutes, so we decided to take a shorter break when we actually needed it.)

Class meets at the diving well (deep pool)

and in two classrooms, when needed, Fridays in S75 and M/W announced when we have the locations.

Holiday: Monday, May 27

Final: Tuesday, June 25, 11:30 - 1:30 and if needed Thursday, June 27, 9:15 - 11:15 and Friday, June 28, 9:15 to 11:15.

Goal: Successful completion of this class can mean certification in: American Red Cross (A.R.C.) Basic Water Rescue, Lifeguard Training (or Shallow Water Lifeguard, but no one so far has done that, everybody goes for lifeguard), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & Automated External Defibrillation for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, optional Waterfront Lifeguard, optional Bloodborne Pathogens, Preventing Disease Transmission, optional Epinephrine Auto-Injector Administration and optional Oxygen Administration.

Usually about half to one third of each class works towards the basic lifeguard cert (with CPR/AED and first aid included) about half to two thirds also want waterfront lifeguard. As the class progresses, all material will be taught to all students, whether or not they choose certification(s). A passing grade will not depend on how many certifications you earn.

We have more time in this class for you to be successful than most lifeguard training classes held elsewhere. You should end up with more confidence in your skills and more employability as a result. (But you still can not expect to have mastered all the skills, and will need to have regular in-service training where you work.)

The Student Learning Outcome for this class is: Demonstrate skills that relate to saving lives of victims in various emergency situations in and around the water. Apply knowledge of basic fitness concepts as they apply to health and wellness.

Prerequisites: No matter which certificates you want to earn, to be able to fully participate in the class and earn a passing grade every student will need some swimming ability and the ability to tread water in deep water, including treading water with no hands when their hands are occupied with skills.

To enroll in a Red Cross Lifeguard Training course, a person must:

Be at least 15 years old by the last day of the class, and pass swim tests.

We will try the test of treading water with no hands for 2 minutes on the second day of class and give coaching as needed. If anyone can't tread with no hands after some coaching they will either be offered some extra coaching during a weekend swim class or, if it really looks like they will not be able to participate fully in the class, be dropped.

We will not take the official Red Cross prerequisite swim tests until at least two weeks into the quarter. When we do you will have only two tries at the official tests, so before the tests are given we will practice and be sure people know how to do an effective surface dive and how to climb out of the pool the easy way(s). There will be opportunities to practice the swim tests in advance during weekend swim classes and possibly during regular class time.

Rules for these tests you must understand and advice for passing are at: Lifeguard Training FAQs.

Basic Water Rescue has no swim test prerequisite.

Shallow Water Lifeguard is not a certificate that many students try for, since the lifeguard certification includes shallow and deep water. Details about the prerequisite swim are at: Lifeguard Training FAQs.

Lifeguard prerequisite swim tests:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously, using front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.

2. Tread water for two minutes without support and without stoping, using only your legs. Your hands will be placed under your armpits. Your head must remain above the surface of the water. Your body position must be near vertical, not horizontal.

3. Timed Event - Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke (your face may be in or out of the water), surface dive 7–10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object, place it on the deck, exit the water without using a ladder or steps and stand on the deck within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

(The last person to finish the whole prerequisite test (by far the slowest swimmer in the class) fall quarter 2004 was a 115 pound woman. She ended up with the highest "A" in the class and earned all the certifications.)

Waterfront lifeguard (lake, river and non-surf beach lifeguard) prerequisite swim tests are:

Waterfront lifeguard (lake, river and non-surf beach lifeguard) prerequisite swim tests are:

1) Swim 550 yards continuously, using front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.

(There is no time limit for this test and you can wear goggles.)

2) The same treading as for pool lifeguards described above.

3) The same swim and get the weight test as for pool lifeguards described above, with the same 1 minute forty second time limit.

3) Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and swim 5 yards to the side of the pool. (Calm yourself, these rings will not be ten pound weights, just dive rings that are heavy enough to sink to the bottom, like the small plastic covered rings kids play with.) You must swim underwater the ten yards along the bottom and get all three rings on one breath. There is no time limit for this test.

Before lifeguard candidates take the swim and get the weight test, and when they try swimming to the bottom of the diving well (14 to 16 feet) they will need to 'clear' their ears (equalize the pressure) before they feel the pressure change. I will describe clearing your ears the first day. Please talk to me personally if you don't understand how to do it, or if it doesn't seem to work when you try it in the water. Surface immediately if you have pain. You can lose your hearing if you do it wrong.

Some potential employers also require the ability to swim deeper than 7 feet and get a weight, so the class will practice this in the diving well (14 to 16 feet deep). It is not required for certification and if you can't do it, it will not hurt your grade.

Instructor: Mary Donahue

E-mail donahuemary@fhda.edu (I get too many e-mails so I don't always return emails that can be answered in class, but you can give me notice that you need an answer by emailing before you ask in class.)

I'm a Red Cross certified lifeguard, swim teacher, lifeguard instructor, lifeguard instructor trainer, water safety instructor trainer, CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillation instructor (and other Red Cross instructor and I.T. certifications). I was on swim team in high school, and as a student at De Anza was sports editor of the newspaper. I have taught at De Anza, first in Physical Education and then in Biological and Health Sciences, since April, 1988.

I have been a lifeguard, lifeguard captain, or in charge of the swim at 47 triathlons or open water swims, including the Danskin Women's Triathlon (6 years), National Triathlon for the Physically Limited (every other year for a total of 4 times), Bud Light (4 years), All for Kids Day (2 years), a six and a half mile 'Pier to Pier' swim from Capitola to Cowell's beach in Santa Cruz in 1998, San Jose International (2 years), the Silicon Valley Kids Triathlon (2004, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), the 2009 National Senior Games Triathlon and the Escape from Alcatraz 'Sharkfest' and/or Alcatri and/or Golden Gate bridge swim since 2000.

I'm also senior faculty advisor to the De Anza Outdoor Club. Volunteering at some swim races is done as a club event. Outdoor Club Coming Attractions

First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) is not currently a part of the curriculum for PE28A, but if there is sufficient interest I intend to include it outside of class time through the Outdoor Club. It is required by many city pools and used to cost $155 at the Red Cross. It takes 16 hours for people who don't take it in conjunction with a lifeguard class, or about 12 hours taken in conjunction with our class (4 hours are covered in the lifeguard class material). It includes required skill testing and multiple choice tests. The cost through the club will depend on the number of people interested. At least the lifeguard CPR material and first aid must be completed before we can do it.

Office Hours are after our Friday class, Saturday at the pool deck after swim classes or by arrangement. Office hours are held wherever we happen to be - in a classroom or on the pool deck or in the pool.

Dress, supplies and fees

You paid a fee for the Red Cross cards when you registered for the class. (Or, as this is being written, may need to pay it after the class starts, or it might be paid from a De Anza fund.) One fee covers any and all lifeguard certifications you earn in class, so it doesn't cost extra to try for waterfront guard along with pool guard, for example. The fee is charged by the Red Cross whether or not you pass.

- Required textbook: ARC Lifeguarding (the class webpage tells you where to get a free download.) (The Red Cross requires that each student own this book and have it available in class, either hardcopy or on a laptop.)

- CPR resuscitation masks in adult and infant sizes (such as a 'pocket mask,' with oxygen port recommended)

- Notebook and pen or pencil

– whistle and lanyard (neck or wrist), look for one that functions when it is wet

- small fanny pack/hip pack big enough to fit your pocket mask and a set of gloves

- You'll be issued adult and infant 'faces' for a CPR manikin. Bring a gallon zip-lock (zipper type preferred) plastic bag with your name on it to store them in for the quarter. Do not take them home with you.

- A swimsuit you can move in (women: one piece, not strapless; men: nylon trunks, not cutoffs or extreme bikini style). White material on Speedos, etc. is see through when wet and not appropriate for this class. Changing should be done in restrooms or locker rooms, not in storage rooms, hallways or under a towel on deck. Bring your suit and towels, etc. everyday, even when we intend to be in a classroom, in case plans change.

On days we expect to be in the water (as noted in the online class schedule) wear your suit to class. Class time is not allowed for changing.

I have some towels and swimsuits to loan to students who forget theirs. If you borrow one, do not wash it yourself, return it to me so I can wash it in hypo-allergic soap. Despite my best efforts I might not clean them perfectly so you have some risk if you borrow something from me.

The locker rooms are not open much on weekends, so if you store your swimsuit in your locker you will not be able to get it if you come to a weekend extra practice.

You will be kneeling or even lying on the floor on CPR and first aid instruction days, so dress appropriately. Wear comfortable clothes, (pants or shorts preferred over skirts). You will also check a member of the class for consciousness and breathing, and roll them from their side to their back. Bring something to kneel on if you want it.

Long hair must be tied back; goggles may be worn for lap swimming only, not during skills practice.

- Sweatsuit or the like and extra towels for occasional ins and outs of the water; thongs or sandals (the pool deck can get hot). Wear a hat with a wide brim as often as possible.

- waterproof sunscreen, applied one half hour before swimming (most kinds will wash right off and just make an oil slick in the pool if you apply them right before getting in). I use 36 to 50 sun protection factor Bullfrog or Aloe Gator type brands, which can be applied right before getting in. Test a little before you use it extensively; some people are allergic to some kinds.

To get a free catalog of clothes rated with a 30 sun protection factor call Sun Precautions 1 (800) 882-7860. They sell a long-sleeved shirt you can swim in (but should not wear for rescue practice) and lots of wide-brimmed hats.

So as not to injure yourself or others:

1) you'll need to remove watches, jewelry, body jewelry (piercings... ear, eyebrow, nose or wherever)

2) Ladies are asked to save the two inch press-on nails for the weekends; gentlemen are asked to shave in the morning rather than the night before (a wellgrown beard is okay). Everyone should trim their toenails.

3) Persons with scalp or other implants should switch from spikes to flat posts only.

- Don't hyperventilate (multiple, rapid, deep breaths) before you swim under water. You can't store extra oxygen that way, and you can possibly pass out under water.

This is a long class, so be sure to eat a good breakfast. You may even want to bring snacks (just be sure they're not in glass containers). Most people don't get stomach cramps from having a light meal before they swim.

Wearing your contact lenses to swim is potentially dangerous, so get permission from your eye doctor first. Pool chemicals can damage some kinds and others will absorb bacteria, leading to infection. Goggles do not fully protect contact lenses.

Lockers are first come, first served, so get one by the first day of class. How to get a P.E. locker at De Anza College

Normal antitheft precautions apply in the locker room or on deck. Take off expensive watches and jewelry in your car instead of in the locker room. Don't let people watch over your shoulder as you dial in your lock combination. Don't leave things out on a bench in the locker room while you shower. A thief will assume your bag that only has towels in it has your wallet, and you'll have to buy a new bag and towels. People have been known to steal curling irons, etc.

There are stairs directly from the locker room to the pool deck. When going to the locker rooms from the pool, men take the left tunnel, women go up the stairs on the right. Pool deck level restrooms are in the tunnels. Men should not change in the tunnel as it is also used to access an upstairs classroom.

De Anza photo student ID cards are processed downstairs in the Campus Center. The nearest entrance is on the side next to Campus Security. You need to bring a valid, legal photo ID (driver's license, passport, Calif. ID card, or green card), and you must know your Social Security number or have your current DASB validation sticker with you. The hours are listed in the schedule of classes and posted at the office. Sometimes the line is shorter after about 3 p.m. If you don't have a driver's license or passport, you can get a photo ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles by bringing in a birth certificate, Social Security card and a small payment.

Once you have the student ID, you use it as a library card. If the student ID is somehow offensive to you, you can get a different library card at the De Anza Learning Center. Getting a student ID or other library card is one of your first homework assignments.

For Red Cross certification

For lifeguard certification, you must pass the following:

The CPR/AED and First Aid skills portions of the class, and 36 to 40+ lifeguard skills/scenarios as the class progresses.

The rescue skills 'water final', with scenarios as specified by the Red Cross. The De Anza diving well is 16 feet deep. The Red Cross only requires that you do rescues to 10 feet deep, so that is the standard you will be held to for certification. But since some employers will want you to be able to do rescues in deeper water, we will also work on students being able to do rescues at the bottom of the diving well.

Two lifeguard written tests with multiple choice questions (80% = pass).

Bloodborne Pathogens, Preventing Disease Transmission certificates will be issued to students who participate in class activities and discussion of preventing disease transmission. There is no written test.

Epinephrine Auto-Injector Administration and Oxygen have a prerequisite of CPR/AED and a skills test.

Certification validity: Your Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED card (or Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED card) will be good for two years from the date of class completion. The add-on Waterfront Skills cert is valid for two years, (but only valid as long as you have a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED card). Oxygen and Bloodborne Pathogens are valid for one year. Epinephrine Auto-Injector Training has no validity date/expiration.

The Red Cross says that the old program (2006) and new program can't be mixed together, so if you have a lifeguard cert from the old program you can't just add on the new waterfront cert, you have to attend the entire new class. If you are already certified in CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider, the Red Cross still requires attendance in all CPR/AED class sessions and written testing for your new lifeguard certification(s).

100% attendance and attention is required by the Red Cross for certification. Students late to class, missing part of the class, or leaving early will not be able to certify and are subject to being dropped. 100% attention to learning is a requirement of that attendance. Simply being present does not constitute attendance. Almost every day of class has required material for Red Cross certification. Makeups may be impossible to do, as you will need to arrange for a Red Cross co-instructor to do personal tutoring. You can't do a makeup with an instructor not affiliated with this De Anza class. No personal makeups will be done until the end of the quarter when we can see the total of what needs to be made up.

There will be lots of co-instructors and tutors working with the class, but they are here to help people who are attending, not to catch up people who miss class, with the exception of someone they want to hire and are willing to spend extra time outside of class with at the end of the quarter.

If you miss CPR class days you can enroll in the De Anza HLTH 57E class, IF there is room, to make up a few skills sessions. (Or enroll if you just want more time and practice with these essential skills.)

If you miss any day or part of a day of the two weeks of waterfront, and/or the one day of bloodborne pathogens, oxygen or epi pen you will not be certified in these as there is no way to make up the material.

Therefore, all students should strive for perfect attendance and attention.

Three swimming speed tests and a test of treading water while holding a weight were previously required for Red Cross certification. Many employers still require such ability for preemployment tests, so we will work toward all De Anza lifeguarding students being able to pass them.

Practice outside of class time will be required for most students to pass the time tests and the water 'rescue' final. You should start immediately to work on freestyle, long distances of sidestroke, and treading water with no hands. Treading water with no hands is encouraged during class while the instructor talks. In other words, yes, we expect that most students are out of swimming shape when they start the class. Students are encouraged to get together for extra practice. Sunday 10:30 to noon and/or Saturday 10 to 1 during my swim classes is usually a good time IF there is a spare lifeguard. Especially if you can convince a teaching assistant to help, many P.E. instructors will allow you to practice during their classes. Ask permission politely, they do not have to say yes. Ask permission each time you show up.

Eventually you will practice rescuing almost everyone in the class, but for first tries at rescue moves you can partner with a friend and try moves in slow motion. For your final you will rescue the instructor, other Red Cross Instructors and selected lifeguards (who previously received A's in the class water rescue final).

Some people take lifeguard training for fun with no intention of certifying. But they find as the class progresses that they are very successful. If you are taking this class for exercise or fun, don't lose out on the possibility of certifying by having weak attendance. There are not two different attendance standards (one for people certifying and one for those not certifying).

For your De Anza Grade

If you choose to ask for a pass/no pass instead of a letter grade, please note: No more than 30 units of credit with a "P" grade can be applied toward an Associate of Arts degree. And ordinarily, no "P" grade may be applied toward a student's major requirements unless the major lists a pass/no pass. You will need to apply for a pass/no pass at the Portal early in the quarter. To earn a 'pass' you must do at least the work required for a 'C.'

(Many) De Anza physical education classes, including lifeguard training, are part of the general education requirements and therefore require some reading, writing and critical thinking.

Written tests are not graded on a curve so it is possible for most of the class to earn A's and B's.

50% of class grading is active participation and steady improvement in skills, demonstrating required skills plus the in the water rescue skills final,

50% is homework, quizzes, midterm, written exams.

To earn a passing grade you must have a minimum participation in the class and in homework/exams. Do more and you earn a higher grade. (Sorry, you can't do all the homework and not swim/do rescues, or vice versa.)

A+ = 97%, A = 90, A- = 87 B+ = 84, B= 80, B- = 77, C+ = 74, C= 70, (no C- grades are given at De Anza), D+ = 64, D = 60, D- = 57, (no F+ or F- grades are given at De Anza), F = less than 57%.

High scores on the 'extra' certification tests (example: Oxygen Administration) will count as bonus points. (I don't want people not to try for an extra certification because they worry a low score will hurt their grade.)

Your first two hours of absences/lack of participation will not affect your grade, no matter the reason for it. Each 50 minutes after that you do not participate in class will lower your grade 10 percent, unless it is made up. After the first week if you are more than ten minutes late, the time absent will count towards lowering your grade. Again, the Red Cross requires 100% attendance and attention to learning for you to be certified.

Many of the homework assignments involve reading webpages and writing up new things you learned. Most of these short assignments only require a few sentences of writing.

Other assignments involve reading the textbook and answering questions written by the Red Cross to see if you understand the concepts and to improve your ability at taking Red Cross style exams.

Many, if not most days we will start class with a short quiz. We will go over the answers right away and these quizzes can't be made up.

Homework is due in the first five minutes of class on the date specified, but with the exception of quizzes/questions we go over in class, most will be accepted late for half credit if turned in by the next class day (again, in the first five minutes). To be sure you get credit for your homework, do each assignment on a separate sheet of paper, don't put one on one side and another on the back. Do not turn in homework early. If you do not turn in an assignment you should turn in a piece of paper with your name and the date on it saying which assignment(s) you did not complete that day.

I do not accept emailed homework.

You are responsible for keeping a copy of each homework assignment, so doing them on a computer is wise.

We will go over the answers to some of the homework questions during class so having an additional copy with you besides the one you just turned in (which will not be returned to you) could help you.

Sometimes the server for faculty websites is not functioning properly, so don't put online homework off until the last minute. If you do not have a computer with online access there are almost a hundred in the basement of the De Anza Learning Center, and most public libraries have a few. You can usually get a public library card quickly, often the same day you go into the library.

Almost all of the homework will be posted at the class webpage: P.E. 28A

We have optional extra credit research assignments: from various books, including "On the Guard II" FOURTH edition (not "On the Guard"); ask for it at the learning center reserve desk. It is not in the regular stacks. Read and do questions as assigned at the class webpage. You can do one or more extra credit assignments even if you have not missed any quizzes and have an "A." They are due on specific dates to coincide with material we are learning in class at that time. There are two copies of "On the Guard II" at the library so don't put off this work until the last moment or someone else may have the book checked out.

It is possible to receive college credit and an 'A' for this course and not receive Red Cross certification. Likewise, it is possible (although unlikely), to receive Red Cross certification and get a De Anza 'F'.

A point system is used in this class for excused or unexcused absences, lates and lack of participation. After 12 points: excused, unexcused, made up, or not (8 points in the first two weeks), you are subject to being dropped.

Each absence equals 4 points. (If you add the class late, you have points accumulated.)

Absence on a major test day (midterm, water final, big CPR quiz or Red Cross exam(s) ) is 6 points.

Lateness or leaving early equals 1 point.

A half hour late equals 2 points.

Not participating in the water (sick, forgot your swimsuit, etc.), = 2 points

Late homework = 2 points

Homework not completed equals 4 points.

Most absences are not excusable, including, but not limited to, jury duty you could have requested to do after the quarter is over and appointments (a teeth cleaning at your dentist, or a regularly scheduled doctor appointment for example). Appointments should have been scheduled for another time, even if they are difficult for you to schedule.

Again, the Red Cross requires 100% attendance for certification.

Makeups include:

Scheduled extra practice sessions.

Extra practice on your own during open lap swim hours (IF open swim is offered). (The lifeguard on duty can sign your 'makeup slip.') Lap swim is limited to two hours of makeup credit.

Extra credit research assignments and other makeups as arranged with the instructor.

You will need an official 'makeup' slip, which will be available occasionally during class, to swim in classes taught by other instructors. Plus, you will need the permission of the instructor of the other class you want to attend and they do not have to let you. If you want to practice rescue moves in another swim class, be sure to warn the instructor about what you are doing and get permission. According to the dean of physical education, you can't do make-ups in the Wellness Center or weight room.

How to fill out a makeup form is at make-ups.

In the case of longterm illness, injury, or other multiple excusable absences, arrangements can be taken to receive an 'incomplete' in the class rather than a low grade. The instructor and student must make arrangements and sign a contract to do this. An 'incomplete' grade is only appropriate for verifiable unforeseen illness/injury or other unforeseen emergency situations, not doctor's appointments you forgot you had and did not reschedule, jury duty you could have requested to do after the quarter is over, etc.

If you can't participate in the water due to illness or injury, your attendance in class will still count partially (but if you have a broken leg and can't get in the water for a month, you'll need to drop or do an incomplete).

Again, the Red Cross requires 100% attendance for certification.

College success hint: Communicate with your instructors. E-mail me or leave a note as to why you are missing class, and when you expect to return. Notes can be left in my mailbox in the P.E. Division office, upstairs behind the pool diving boards. If the office is locked, any P.E. instructor has a key and might put the note in my box if you ask nicely.

Video or audio taping of this class is not allowed. Please turn off ringers on cell phones or pagers during class, unless you are having an emergency at home, in which case let me know.

You need to pay complete attention during videos. Everything mentioned in the video is in your text, so note taking while watching videos is not needed nor is it allowed.

Drops:

You are responsible for dropping classes you do not want to take and deadlines are enforced. After the deadlines neither you nor your instructor can drop you.

Again, an 'incomplete' grade is only appropriate for verified unforeseen illness/injury or other unforeseen emergency situations, not because you forgot to drop by the deadline.

Please note these De Anza policies:

"It is recommended that all students consult with a physician regarding their participation in this physical education class."

"Students should not enter the pool until their instructor or the lapswim lifeguard is supervising them on deck, or until they have permission of an instructor whose class they wish to join for makeups. For your personal health and safety we require there be no gum chewing or spitting on the deck or in the pool. In addition we require that there be no diving from the starting blocks, three meter diving boards, platforms, or into water less than 9 feet deep."

You will be required to comply with all rules and regulations as outlined in the De Anza College Student Handbook http://www.deanza.edu/studenthandbook/index.html (especially the section on academic integrity http://www.deanza.edu/studenthandbook/academic-integrity.html ) as well as any in the De Anza College Catalog http://www.deanza.edu/publications/catalog/ ).

All information in the student handbook(s) applies in this course and students will be held accountable for this information.

In the handbook(s) you will find descriptions of cheating and plagiarism and these statements: "It is the students' responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty...When students are caught cheating or plagiarizing, a process is begun which may result in severe consequences."

If disruptive behavior occurs in a class, "the instructor may remove the student from his or her class for that day and the next class meeting if the student interfered with the instructional process," and the behavior will be reported to the Office of Student Development for possible disciplinary action/reprimand/suspension. You can be subject to being dropped on the first instance of any such behavior.

It would be impossible to list all the ways a student could be disruptive, but the basic definition is: a disruptive person is one, who through his/her behavior, speech or actions, interferes with academic activity. This can be as obvious as physical or verbal abuse; willful damage to person or college property; disorderly conduct; lewd, indecent or obscene behavior or use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs & alcohol.

Disruptive behavior also includes anything that distracts or intimidates students or disrupts teaching, including, but not limited to: using cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices other than those approved by me or allowing them to ring; using a laptop during class to do homework, email friends, etc.; engaging in private conversations; inappropriate language (profanity or vulgarity) or gestures; requesting excessive to too long of (in the opinion of the instructor) breaks; taking breaks of your own choosing; inconsiderate personal hygiene habits including, but not limited to: noticeably offensive body odor or the use of chewing tobacco; smoking in or near the classroom; wearing/using headphone or earbuds-type music/tape playing devices; packing up early; disruptive noise making, including but not limited to uncontrolled laughter, pen, pencil or foot tapping, loud gum popping, loud or attentiondistracting drinking and paper/book rustling; inappropriate body language, including, but not limited to propping feet up on a desk, refusing to remain seated, glaring or making faces; inappropriate physical contact; refusal to comply with instructor's directions; open and persistent defiance of the authority of the instructor or teaching assistants.

Disruptive behavior also includes inordinate demands for time and attention, including, but not limited to, monopolizing discussions; persistent questioning; wasting class time by repeatedly asking unnecessary questions, such as those that have been answered in class or class materials or giving excuses for not doing homework; attempting to debate with the instructor over teaching style, the need for required homework, attendance, attention; interrupting the flow of class with interjections or questions; incoherent comments and off-topic discussions; interrupting the flow of class by not staying organized during drills, especially not following along with simultaneous practices.

Disruptive behavior also includes overt inattentiveness and engaging in activities inappropriate to learning, including, but not limited to: sleeping (or appearing to sleep, as in eyes closed); reading nonclass related materials (newspapers, magazines, etc.); reading class materials at inappropriate times, such as when attention should be focused on videos, lecture, discussion or skills practice; completing homework during class time; applying makeup; staring out the window.

At the pool disruptive behavior also includes, but is not limited to: submerging when the instructor is talking or it could be normally anticipated the instructor would talk; swimming in a direction opposite to the flow of a drill and risking hitting other swimmers/not staying on your side of a lane or circle swimming improperly; swimming out of bounds of the class; entering the water before the instructor says to; public displays of affection; changing clothes on the deck; prolonged breath holding or submersion without permission and a lifeguard watching you; using diving boards/starting blocks without permission and a lifeguard watching you; floating and/or not moving without a thumbs up signal; breaking safety rules, such as climbing over the wall instead of using the stairs, running on the deck, pushing others into the pool, diving into the racing pool, not letting go of a partner who taps you on the shoulder, blowing your whistle loudly or at inappropriate times, faking drowning/incidents/accidents.

It disrupts the class as well, to say out loud "I can't do this" or " this is too hard, I'll never be able to do it," Give yourself the time to try each step repeatedly until you succeed! It is also self-defeating to even to think to yourself that any of the work is too difficult. Keep thinking "I WILL be able to do this" until it happens. Your personal positive attitude really can affect the outcome.

Balking or refusing to participate in class practice or skills testing is also disruptive to the class as a whole and can lead to your being dropped. Refusing to be a 'victim' when needed is included in this.

Open class discussions are encouraged as long as the discussion is appropriate, done in a respectful, orderly fashion, fits in the time required to cover the class material, and can be terminated when need be even if the issue is not resolved. Successful students can have opinions different than those of the class or the instructor. Disagreements and differences of opinion in class discussions are not disruptive behavior unless they include personal insults, bullying or physical confrontation, intimidation, excessive aggressiveness or anger, being overly argumentative, interrupting others, obscenities, yelling and the like. Vegans should not try to gross-out omnivores or vice-versa.

In my classes sometimes I will take answers off the cuff, but often the best way to answer is to raise your hand and be recognized. Occasionally I will ask a question and request that no one answer it out loud for a moment until all have had a chance to think about it. Blurting out an answer then is disruptive.

Respect for all extends to when you need to correct another person. We work in pairs or small groups for much of the skills practice, especially CPR. You should not always correct the person you are working with immediately; they might learn more by realizing their mistake(s) themselves. But when you do correct them, a polite manner is expected.

Use the restroom and change into your swimsuit before class begins on pool days as we will not take many long breaks. Making the rest of the class wait while you change is also disruptive, if you come too late to change in time, let me know and wait until a time when you can leave without missing important information. If your instructor in the class you have just before this one keeps you too late to be able to have enough time to change, then you will need to wear your swimsuit under your clothes to that class. If you need a bathroom break, let me know, don't just walk out of class, as we will have to stop class if anyone leaves so they don't miss required information.

Again, no cheating, plagiarism, dishonesty or behavior that would lead a reasonable person to assume that these activities have taken place will be tolerated. Use the restroom before an exam begins. Once you have begun an exam you will not be allowed to go to the bathroom and return to finish the test. No books, notes, computers, dictionaries, translation devices or other aids are allowed during exams. Do not wear ear buds. Do not go over answers to the exam with others after taking it, in case the person you are talking to needs a second try.

When I give written tests I like students to sit far apart from each other so if they look around while thinking no one will think they are trying to cheat. No one should talk during exams, except to the instructor or a teaching assistant.

Unless an assignment is given as group work I expect that all work will be your own.

Helping your partner on team skills during skills testing/checkoffs is considered cheating.

There is essentially no privacy in this class. Examples include but are not limited to: If your swim or rescue skills/CPR skills are not up to par, corrections will be given to you when you make the mistake, not in a private consultation. A list of what skills have been passed may be posted. Missing or incorrect homework may be discussed in front of other students. Anyone in hearing range will know if you fail an exam, and it will be obvious to everyone if/when you need a second try at a Red Cross exam or a skills test. If you try to turn in a test early with blank anwswers you might be told to go back and work on it more.

Since many students will download the text to their laptop for free, laptops or other similar devices will need to be out on desktops during class (but never during quizzes/exams). Laptops or other similar devices are not to be used during class for any purpose except reading the lifeguard text/class webpages we are working from or taking class notes. A teaching assistant or the instructor might actually see inappropriate work/webpages on a laptop screen. Or, if it looks like a student is texting friends, etc. (they seem to be taking more notes than needed, or at times they are not needed, for example) they will be asked to show what notes they were just writing. If they can't produce any it will be assumed that they were not taking class notes, but were instead texting friends, working on their Facebook page, working on homework for another class or otherwise not paying attention to the work at hand in the lifeguard class. The first instance of such misuse of a laptop will cause the student to lose the privilege of having a laptop open in class. They will then need to buy a textbook.

Some etiquette:

The teaching assistants are here to help tutor you, not to do chores, so your participation is expected. Your assistance in removing lane lines or moving CPR equipment will help get the class going faster and that means you will have more time to practice. Assistance after class in getting equipment put away means we do not have to do it during class and have more time for skills work. But please remember, no one enters the pool until the instructor is on deck and gives permission, so if you are helping get out lane lines before class, the instructor is not there and for example, your glasses fall off your face into the pool, don't get in the pool to get them.

The teaching assistants (TAs) are not supposed to date/socialize with students in the class, so it's really not fair for the students to ask TAs to parties or hit on them until June 29.

People with higher levels of training (EMTs, etc,) should use vocabulary appropriate to this class. Example: fainting is fainting, not syncope; aspirin is aspirin, not acetylsalicyllic acid. People with higher levels of training might know more about some of the class material than your instructors/teaching assistants, but they should be polite if they find the need to correct us and not try to 'teach' beyond the level of training in this class.

Your friends or relatives who want to watch the class can do so from the bleachers. If you are having babysitting problems, quiet, wellbehaved kids can occasionally attend class with you and sit in the bleachers but can NOT get in the pool. Class discussions are frequently not appropriate for children, and / or the presence of children makes other students uncomfortable, so kids are not allowed in the classroom(s).

The De Anza Health Policy says (in part) "A De Anza student will:

Not attend college if he/she has a contagious condition (i.e., T.B., measles, hepatitis, etc.).

Not attend college if he/she is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.

Obtain a physician's note and cooperate openly and honestly with college officials about medical problems that may threaten the health and/or welfare of self and others.

Adhere to safety regulations and use safety equipment and protective devices as required."

Do not enter the pool if you have had diarrhea within the past two weeks (unless you get a note from a doctor saying you are okay).

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Report any injuries and equipment or facilities problems immediately to your instructor.

This includes ear pain on submerging that does not go away when you surface.

In case we have an accident in class, or outside of class time in the locker room or around campus, I will describe during class the first day how to call Campus Security at 5555 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) from the phone on the wall of the pool behind the diving boards. From your cell phone you can call Cupertino police dispatch at 408 299-2311.

Running on the deck, standing on a kickboard in the water and trying to push people into the pool are only some of the various actions that could cause injury. It would be impossible to list all of them in this course syllabus, so pay attention to lectures on the subject and think before you act in a rowdy manner. Use the stairs or elevator to go from the bleachers to the pool deck, do not climb over the wall.

The class sometimes can use the one meter diving boards after class with a guard assigned to watch, but you must get the instructor's permission. Use of the three meter boards and diving into the racing pool is not allowed, as per the Dean.

This class requires hands-on rescue practice with others. Sometimes people get scratches or bruises.

There is the possibility of being underwater longer than is comfortable, as could happen while doing a rescue. If, during practice or testing, you are under too long and want to get to the surface, tap the person practicing with you and holding on to you on the shoulder so they know to release you, and possibly help you to the surface. (They might be running out of air, too.)

Pay close attention to all safety lectures and descriptions in the book of how to do activities safely. One of your first homework assignments is to review a number of class safety rules at the website.

Failure to perform activities correctly can result in injury.

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Getting your card(s) in the mail: Students who earn Red Cross card(s) within the regular school term can usually expect their cards in the mail within two months after the end of the class (unless the Red Cross is behind on issuing certs) if they provide the instructor with a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. If we decide to do any extra certification(s) outside of class time, the time to get cards in the mail may be extended as necessary to accommodate the extra certification(s) AND an additional Red Cross fee will be charged.

If needed before the two month date, arrangements can be made with the instructor one week before the last day of class to verify passing for potential employers. If students do not get the stamped, selfaddressed envelope (SASE) to the instructor by the last day of class, the instructor is not responsible for keeping your card on file and you may need to pay the Red Cross for a replacement card at 1 800 733-2767. If you do not earn any certifications you can get the SASE back in class before the end of the quarter, but it will not be returned to you after that.

P.E. 28A student evaluation comments

How to get an A in lifeguard training

Lifeguard class safety rules

introductions to the volunteer lifeguard instructors

Updated Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 6:54:52 AM by Mary Donahue - donahuemary@fhda.edu
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