American Red Cross Waterfront Course
The American Red Cross (ARC) Waterfront course is a course designed to take certified lifeguards teach them skills and techniques specific to non-surf environments.
To participate and pass the course: Participants must meet a variety of criteria to participate and pass the course successfully.
- 15 years of age by the last day of the class
- Pass the waterfront pre-course skills test
- Attend all scheduled course time
- Pass written exam with 80% or better
- Must have a valid Lifeguarding certification from the American Red Cross.
Pre-course skills requirement: The 2024 update includes an all new precourse skills evaluation. Participants are required to sucessfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluation.
- Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest. Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 350 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both (swimming on the back is not permitted). Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs. Swim 200 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. *Swim goggles are permitted and the swim is NOT timed*
- Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (The face may be in or out of the water, swim goggles are not permitted). Surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10lb 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.
- Prerequisite 3: Under water swim. Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve 3 dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4-7 feet of water. Resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.