What should WSIs assess before starting a lesson?

Before starting a lesson, assessing the weather and water conditions for safety is crucial for Water Safety Instructors (WSIs). This assessment ensures that the environment is safe for aquatic activities and that any potential hazards, such as strong currents, water temperature, or weather-related issues like thunderstorms, are identified and managed. Ensuring a safe environment is the instructor's primary responsibility, as it directly impacts the well-being of all participants.

While considering other factors, such as the age of the students, their skill levels, and available swimming equipment, is also important, the immediate safety of the environment should always be the foremost concern. Therefore, evaluating weather and water conditions aligns with best practices in water safety instruction and helps prevent accidents or unsafe situations during lessons.