American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification

Whether you are looking for a great summer job or career as a professional lifeguard, YMCA Lifeguard Certification Courses are the best way to get started! Through classroom activities, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn the skills you need to work in the aquatics field. Courses are offered periodically at our branches and we are always looking for certified lifeguards to join our staff team!

This course is designed to give participants the skills and knowledge needed to be lifeguards in pools and aquatic environments. This comprehensive course is through the American Red Cross with Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications included. There are no makeup classes and participants must attend all scheduled classes. Prior to class registration, participants must register and pass the mandatory pre-test.

Prerequisites

Participants must be able to complete the pretest consisting of a 300yd continuous swim with rhythmic breathing, 2 minute tread with no arms, and the retrieval of a 10lb object from 9 feet of water in a timed event.

Certification Details

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Blended Learning Course consists of approximately 7 hours of pre-course work online and approximately 20 hours of in-person training. The Lifeguarding course provides 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. Upon successful completion of the course participants will receive a 2 year certification in Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

Get Involved

YMCA Lifeguards play an important role in keeping everyone safe at our facilities. With pools at all four of our locations plus Thurston Water Park located at the Massad Family YMCA, we have both seasonal and year-round lifeguarding positions available. If you are interested in becoming a part of our staff team, please visit our jobs page for a list of benefits and all open positions.

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