The Lifeguarding Course is for ages 15+ and 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 this course you will receive a digital certificate for Lifeguarding, First Aid/CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Oxygen Delivery and Bloodborne Pathogen training and valid for two years.

Participants must pass this assessment to enroll in the Lifeguard Class.

Entry into the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is strictly limited to those who meet the minimum age requirement and have successfully completed the prerequisite skills evaluation.  Failure to have attained the appropriate skill level could pose a safety threat to themselves and to others in the class.

• Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.  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
• Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs.  Candidates should place their hands under the armpits
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds:
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.  Swim goggles are not allowed
  • Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface in order to breathe (or to get a breath)
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

There are two delivery methods available for the courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program, classroom and blended learning.  The blended learning option combines online learning with in-person skill sessions conducted by a Red Cross-certified instructor.  Participants in blended learning courses acquire the same knowledge and skills as those in traditional classroom training courses.

• Waterfront Lifeguarding
• Shallow Water Lifeguarding
• Lifeguard Instructor Courses
• Water Safety Instructor