Athlete Protection Training (APT)

Mario Francisco Sobrinho

The Athlete Protection Training (APT) for USA Swimming members is an important requirement designed to ensure the safety of athletes and protect against misconduct. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and guidelines for completing the APT:

Key Guidelines for APT:

  1. Annual Requirement:

    • APT must be taken every year by all new and existing adult members of USA Swimming, including athletes, coaches, officials, chaperones, and meet directors.

  2. Eligibility:

    • Members must be 18 years old or older to take the APT.
    • An 18 year old can take the course up to 60 days prior to their 18th birthday, but the course must be completed by the time they turn 18. There is NO grace period.

  3. Taking the APT:

    • The course is available through hub.usaswimming.org. Swimmers turning 18 must create their own login and password to access the course.

  4. Course Structure:

    • Core Course: This is the first course all new members must take. It takes up to 90 minutes to complete and includes important SafeSport information.
    • Refresher Courses: After the core course, members can take one of the Refresher courses each year. These courses are about 35 minutes long and are designed to keep members up to date.

  5. Course Completion:

    • Once the course is completed, it may take 24-48 hours to update in Swims 3.0.
    • Important: Take a screenshot or photo of the final screen that includes the date and time of completion. This will serve as proof of completion.

  6. Non-Completion Consequences:

    • Members must not participate in practices or meets until their APT is completed and updated in Swims 3.0.

Technical Requirements:

  • Use a computer, not a mobile device, for the best experience.
  • Ensure pop-up blockers are turned off and use an updated version of Chrome or Firefox for smooth access to the training.
  • After completing the course, make sure to fill out any survey that may appear. This step ensures that your APT is automatically updated in Swims 3.0.

Special Circumstances:

  • Cognitive Disabilities: If a member has a cognitive disability, they may request a waiver to the training requirements.

Important Note:

  • Do not take the SafeSport for Adult Athletes course, as it does not count toward the APT requirement for USA Swimming.

Course Overview:

  1. Athlete Protection Training: SafeSport Trained Core Course – The initial course for all new members.
  2. Refresher 1, 2, and 3 – These courses are for subsequent years and take approximately 35 minutes each.
  3. Course Completion and Renewal: Members should ensure that their APT status is up-to-date in Swims 3.0, especially before participating in meets or practices.

By following these guidelines, members ensure they are in compliance with USA Swimming’s safety standards, promoting a safe environment for all athletes.