SRD offers American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification courses throughout the year. Classes are taught by our aquatics staff and scheduled based on staffing and pool availability. Any upcoming courses will be listed here and on our registration page.

To register, participants must be at least 15 years old by the final day of class (per Red Cross requirements). The purpose of the Lifeguarding course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies.

Next available class(s): TBD

Course prerequisites include:

  • Swimming 100 yards (4 laps), tread water for 2 minutes, swimming 50 yards (2 laps) continuously using freestyle and breaststroke
  • Retrieving 10 lb weight from bottom of the pool
  • Online content
Register for Lifeguard Course
Lifeguard Class Description

American Red Cross Lifeguarding program

The primary purpose of the courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:

  • Prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies.
  • Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over. Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) training is conducted and evaluated in water depths ranging from 0 feet to water 7 feet and greater (ranging from 8-12 feet maximum, depending on the depth of the facility in which the training is conducted)

To participate in the Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) course, participants must:

  • Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding course
  • Ability to complete the prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:

Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed)

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

Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).

Submerge 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 return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.

Exit the water without using a ladder or steps

Certification Requirements To earn certification, participants must:

  • Complete all online course content in advance of the corresponding in-person sessions (blended learning courses only).
  • Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
  • Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices, skill drills, activities and scenarios.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all skills.
  • Pass the final physical skills – team test
  • Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80 percent.

Assessment 1—Timed Response

Participants must complete a passive submerged rescue, extricate
with the assistance of an assisting rescuer, and rapid assessment
(including the delivery of 2 initial ventilations by either rescuer) within
1 minute, 30 seconds, and then provide 3 minutes of single-rescuer
CPR.

Assessment 2—Rotation and Scanning

Participants must rotate into the lifeguard station, conduct
surveillance from the station for 1 minute, and rotate out of the
station.

Assessment 3—Final Team Response Testing Scenario

Participants must perform a passive submerged rescue, extrication
and rapid assessment, followed by multiple-rescuer CPR and use of
AED and BVM resuscitator.