American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course

American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. Participants who complete this course will become certified as a Red Cross lifeguard. The blended learning format combines approximately 6 hours of online learning with in-person skills sessions.

Prerequisites: 

1. Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course. Swim-Tread-Swim. Swim 150 yds demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing, immediately tread water for 2 minutes, (using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits) then swim another 50 yards. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used. 

Goggles are not allowed for the timed event. -You have 1 minute, 40 seconds to complete the following sequence. -Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. -Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. -Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. -Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.

There will be about six hours of pre class online work that will need to be finished before you are allowed to take the class.