At Sanibel Sea School, student safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our programs are intentionally designed to be immersive in and around the water. Prevention, preparation, and proactive training are our highest priorities.

Both seasonal and full-time educators are American Red Cross Lifeguard Certified — including CPR, First Aid, and AED training. Certifications are renewed annually before summer camp seasons, with quarterly in-service trainings throughout the year to ensure staff remain current, confident, and ready to respond to emergencies.

Our team also follows numerous daily prevention practices, including field checks at teaching sites, shallow-water swimming protocols, heat and sun protection strategies, clear communication systems, and maintaining proper staff-to-student ratios.

In addition to emergency readiness, Sanibel Sea School trains all full-time and seasonal staff in child abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting. New hires complete an intensive onboarding module based on American Camp Association standards, followed by twice-yearly refreshers before peak seasons. Standard Level II background checks, fingerprinting, and multiple reference screenings are required for all educators.

We also maintain a strict “Rule of 3” supervision protocol — staff should never be alone one-on-one with a student. Any private 1:1 lessons require parent/guardian consent and must be led only by fully background-checked staff.

Many of our educators hold additional certifications, training, and academic specialties beyond the required baseline. Families can learn more by reading staff bios on our website.

“Protecting the children and teens who learn with us is a responsibility we take seriously,” shared Shannon Rivard, Sanibel Sea School Director. “Through prevention-focused systems, routine training, high standards, and a culture of transparency, we work every day to ensure that the Sanibel Sea School remains a place where students can explore, learn safely, and grow with confidence.”