Winter is now in full swing, and summer activities are likely the last thing on your mind. However, this is the perfect time of the year to plan ahead if you want to be a lifeguard this coming summer. This January, we offer comprehensive American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and certification. This course is offered to first-time participants, anyone whose certification is beyond 30 days expired, or lifeguards needing to transfer their certification from a different organization. 

What to Expect

The course consists of a blended learning structure that will teach you all the necessary rescue skills in order to become a lifeguard. You can expect seven hours of online training, five classroom hours, and fifteen hours of water skills. To become certified, students must successfully complete the classroom skills, prerequisite swimming, water skills practice, and the final exam. Successful lifeguard course participants receive a two-year Lifeguarding certification that covers First Aid and CPR/AED. 

Prerequisites

Students will be given two attempts to successfully complete the physical prerequisites.

• Students must complete a 300-yard swim using any combination of front crawl and breaststroke, with rhythmic breathing. Goggles are allowed.
• Students must be able to tread water using their legs only for 2 minutes.
• Students must be able to swim 20 yards and collect a 10-pound brick from a depth of 7-10ft. Once retrieved, they must swim 20 yards using only their legs while carrying the brick. Then they are required to exit the pool without the use of a ladder or stairs. This must be completed within one minute and 40 seconds. Goggles are not allowed. 
• Students must be at least 15 years old by the end of the course.

Becoming Certified

To become certified, you must meet all the prerequisites, pass the written exams with a score of 80% or greater, and show competency in rescue skills and practical exams. To ensure that you move through this course without any hiccups, we recommend that you review all chapter questions and videos in advance.

Once certified, you can begin searching for a job as a lifeguard. Although the course does not ensure a job, certifying in January puts you at an advantage. By becoming a lifeguard in the winter, you will have adequate time to research where you’d like to work, learn what facilities are hiring, and have plenty of time to submit applications. 

For more information on our upcoming courses, visit our website or follow us on Facebook!

Sources: Safety Solved