American Red Cross Lifeguard Course

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.

Typical course details: While each course may vary, most of our courses follow the following details. The goal is to provide them with 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 6 hours to complete
• In person training is scheduled for 21.5 hours
• Courses begin with the pre-course (included within the 21.5 hours)

•  Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest. 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 is not permitted). 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. *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.

General schedule: Most courses are taught using the intensive format over 3 days. This lets participants complete the entire certification in a weekend and start working the day after.

• Day 1 – Pre-course skills test, entries, approaches, victim recognition, assisting distressed swimmers, rescuing an active drowning victim, rescuing a passive drowning victim
• Day 2 – Performing a primary assessment and treating breathing emergencies, treating cardiac emergencies,  and first aid
• Day 3 – Rescuing a spinal victim, what to do when things don’t go as practiced, lifeguard written exam and practical skills testing
• **Please note that is a general outline, sessions will be adapted based on course schedule

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 pre-course skills test
• Attend all scheduled course time
• Pass written exam with 80% or better
• Pass scenario based skills test