The American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard course is a course designed to take entry level participants with no previous knowledge and turn them into professional rescuers.

This certification is a nationally recognized course allowing successful participants to lifeguard at pools. Once completed, the new lifeguard can take this certification and move on to certifications that allow them to guard in beach environments.

The goal of the course is to provide the knowledge and skills needed to effectively assist others if an emergency arises.

• Each course has online and in person segments
• Online material takes approximately 7 hours to complete
• In person training is scheduled for 20 hours
• Courses begin with the pre-course (included within the 20 hours)

The American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard Review Course is the course guards need to take to maintain their certification. This course takes lifeguards through an abbreviated course to review material and introduce new course material.

This certification is a nationally recognized course allowing successful participants to lifeguard at pools.

Course Details:

• Each course is classroom only, there are no blended learning options
• In person training is scheduled for 10 hours
• Courses begin with the pre-course (included within the 10 hours)

The American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard With Waterfront Review Course is the course guards need to take to maintain their Lifeguard and Waterfront certifications. This course takes lifeguards through an abbreviated course to review material and introduce new course material.

This certification is a nationally recognized course allowing successful participants to lifeguard at pools and still bodies of water.

Course Details:

• Each course is classroom only, there are no blended learning options
• In person training is scheduled for at least 14 hours
• Courses begin with the pre-course (included within the course time)

The American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard With Waterfront Review Course is the course guards need to take to maintain their Lifeguard and Waterfront certifications. This course takes lifeguards through an abbreviated course to review material and introduce new course material.

This certification is a nationally recognized course allowing successful participants to lifeguard at pools and still bodies of water.

Course Details:

• Each course is classroom only, there are no blended learning options
• In person training is scheduled for at least 14 hours
• Courses begin with the pre-course (included within the course time)

Prerequisites:

• 16 years of age on or before the last date of the course
• Complete online Blended Learning before the first day of class, link will be emailed to you once you have registered for the class
• Complete pre-course session which includes: Swim the following skills at a learn-to-swim Level 4
  • Maintain position on back 1 minute in deep water (sculling is allowed)
  • Tread water 1 minute
  • Front Crawl-25 yards.
  • Back Crawl-25 yards.
  • Breaststroke-25 yrds.
  • Elementary Backstroke-25 yards.
  • Sidestroke-25 yards.
  • Butterfly-25 yards.

In order to become a Water Safety Instructor you must complete the pre-course skills, attend all classes, participate and be prepared for the four teach-back assignments and score at least an 80% on the final written exam. All class participants must arrive on time, have homework assignments finished and ready for review each day of class and receive feedback from fellow classmates with maturity and an open-mind.

Certification Includes: Once you have completed the Water Safety Instructor course you will be certified for two years to teach:

• Learn-To-Swim (6 Levels)
• Parent and Child Aquatics (2 Levels)
• Pre-School Aquatics (3 Levels)
• Adult Aquatic Training (3 Levels)
• Water Safety Outreach, includes
  • Basic Water Rescue
  • Personal Water Safety
  • Safety Training for Swim Coaches*
  • Water Safety Today
• Water Safety presentations, which include the following:
  • General Water Safety
  • Home Pool Safety
  • Parent Orientation to Swim Lessons
  • Sun Safety
  • Rip Current Safety
  • Longfellow’s W.H.A.L.E. Tales

The American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Review is the required course for Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers needed to recertify. During this course, Lifeguarding Instructors and Instructor Trainers will participate in an in-water practice and polish skills session with their peers and a classroom-based review of Red Cross administrative policies and procedures.

Lifeguarding Instructors and ITs may also choose to attend a brief “test out” session following this course to gain a basic-level Lifeguarding certification.

Course records for the basic-level Lifeguarding certification should be submitted electronically, as a separate course record at redcross.org/courserecords.

To be able to participate and pass the course: Participants must meet a variety of criteria to participate and pass the course successfully.

• Must have a current Lifeguarding Instructor or Instructor Trainer certification
• Must be able to attend all class time
• Must pass multiple choice written exam with 80% or better
• Must demonstrate instructor level proficiency with lifeguard skills

General schedule: Most courses are taught in one day for 7 hours.

• Before pool – verify instructor certifications, review American Red Cross administrative policies, general question and answer time
• In the pool – review the base level lifeguarding skills to meet American Red Cross standards