Program Overview

Program Overview

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification program provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies, as well as provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS professionals take over.

Program Structure

This course is taught in the style of blended learning, combining online components with traditional classroom instruction. Approximately seven hours of online work must be completed before the first day of each class.

Prerequisite Skills

To be eligible for the program, participants must complete the following prerequisite skills one week prior to the first day of class:

• Prerequisite 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface, then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both
  • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both
• Prerequisite 2: Timed event
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards
  • Surface dive, feet first or head first, to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

Admission Criteria

To qualify for the training, participants must be at least 15 years old on the first day of class.

Tuition Fee

The cost of the class is $250, which is required upfront before the prerequisite skills test will be given. Refunds are not given for those who do not meet the requirements.