Frequently Asked Questions
The Lifeguard Training course teaches the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies as a professional lifeguard. Course content and activities include: decision making skills, interacting with the public, recognizing and responding to all types of emergencies, equipment based rescue skills, spinal injury management and other current topics. Successful participants will receive certificates in: Lifeguard Training, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
A. If you cancel more than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the first day of the course you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel within 2 weeks (14 days) of the first day of the course, you will be refunded 50% of the course fee. No refunds will be given within 72 hours (3 days) of the start of the course. This includes failure to complete the prerequisites for the course, including the online component.
Q. What happens if I fail the prerequisites?
A. You will not be able to continue with the course and no refunds will be given. Why? The cost to offer this course does not change based on the number of participants who are able to complete the pre-test. While we want each candidate to successfully pass these tests, many other candidates willing to pay for this training are turned away from the class to guarantee each seat in the class. That said, most candidates with an aquatic background pass these tests with flying colors. If you’re concerned about passing the tests on the first day, here is a link to open swim opportunities in the area and please check out our prerequisite video here.
Q. What is blended learning?
A. This is a newer approach to the lifeguarding course by the American Red Cross which involves students completing an online portion of the class that includes videos, key points, and concepts. The online component MUST be completed before the first class meeting. A link will be sent to the email given during registration two weeks prior to the first day of class. The total cost is $299 for a full class and $170 for a review.
Q. Does everyone get certified at the end of a course?
A. No, you have to meet all the course objectives laid out by the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Program. If you fail to meet all the objectives, you will not be certified.
Q. What if I cannot make it to all course sessions?
A. You will not receive certification. You must attend all course sessions.
Q. What should I bring to class?
A. A swimsuit (women: modest one piece, men: trunks or jammers), a towel, cap and goggles are recommended, pen or pencil, notebook for notes, water bottle, and a lunch/snacks. You will receive a loan book and our own pocket mask the first day of the course and these things should be brought to every course session.
Q. What happens if I lose/destroy my loan textbook?
A. You will be charged a replacement fee of $35 and you will not receiver your certification until the replacement fee is paid.
Q. What are the keys to success?
A. It is imperative that you are committed to this course. You need to feel comfortable in the water, be a strong swimmer, read the textbook and complete homework assignments in order to be successful.
Q. Where do I get the textbook?
A. A digital textbook is available online by clicking here and will be emailed to you prior to the start of the course. A loan text will be given to each student at the first course session and will need to be returned upon completion of the course.
Q. What is the difference between Lifeguard training, Lifeguard Review, and Lifeguard Instructor?
A. Lifeguard Training certifies students in basic rescue techniques and emergency care and is for anyone who has never taken a lifeguarding course before or someone whose certification has expired. Lifeguard Reviews are for those who currently hold a valid Lifeguarding certification and want to renew their certification for another 2 years. Lifeguard Instructor courses are for those who are certified lifeguards and want to because authorized to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguard Program.
Q. What are the course prerequisites for Lifeguard Training?
A. Prerequisites for American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification:
Q. What documentation is needed for proof of age?
A. You need to bring a driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate and picture ID to the first course session. School ID’s are fine when brought with a birth certificate.
Q. What certifications are awarded to students who successfully complete a Lifeguarding course?
A. One certification is issued. The certification name is Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED and is valid for 2 years from the date of completion.
Q. Has the validity period of the Lifeguarding certificate changed?
A. Yes. The validity period for Lifeguarding is 2 years and includes professional rescuer-level CPR/AED as well as First Aid.
Q. What if I need a replacement certification, who do I contact?
A. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) give the ARC representative your name, the name of the instructor and the date you completed training.
Q. Is the Waterfront Skills or Waterparks Skills certification still valid if the Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification has expired?
A. No. A Waterfront or Waterpark Skills certification is only valid along with a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Q. If a participant is already certified in CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Healthcare Providers, is he or she still required to participate in the CPR portions of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Review course?
A. Yes. Lifeguarding participants must successfully complete all lessons of the Lifeguarding course or
Lifeguarding Review course. The CPR/AED portions of the Lifeguarding courses are fully incorporated within the Lifeguarding course. The certification for the Lifeguarding course is one certification that includes professional rescuer CPR as a part of it. There is no separate certification for the CPR portion of the Lifeguarding course.
Q. Who is eligible to participate in a Lifeguarding Review course?
A. The Lifeguarding Review course is designed for individuals with a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED or those whose certification has expired 30 days prior to the first day of the review.
Q. Is there a crossover course for basic-level lifeguards certified/licensed in lifeguard training by another training agency, such as the YMCA, Ellis and Associates or StarGuard?
A. No. Individuals must successfully complete the full Lifeguarding course to receive certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
A. If you cancel more than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the first day of the course you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel within 2 weeks (14 days) of the first day of the course, you will be refunded 50% of the course fee. No refunds will be given within 72 hours (3 days) of the start of the course. This includes failure to complete the prerequisites for the course, including the online component.
Q. What happens if I fail the prerequisites?
A. You will not be able to continue with the course and no refunds will be given. Why? The cost to offer this course does not change based on the number of participants who are able to complete the pre-test. While we want each candidate to successfully pass these tests, many other candidates willing to pay for this training are turned away from the class to guarantee each seat in the class. That said, most candidates with an aquatic background pass these tests with flying colors. If you’re concerned about passing the tests on the first day, here is a link to open swim opportunities in the area and please check out our prerequisite video here.
Q. What is blended learning?
A. This is a newer approach to the lifeguarding course by the American Red Cross which involves students completing an online portion of the class that includes videos, key points, and concepts. The online component MUST be completed before the first class meeting. A link will be sent to the email given during registration two weeks prior to the first day of class. The total cost is $299 for a full class and $170 for a review.
Q. Does everyone get certified at the end of a course?
A. No, you have to meet all the course objectives laid out by the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Program. If you fail to meet all the objectives, you will not be certified.
Q. What if I cannot make it to all course sessions?
A. You will not receive certification. You must attend all course sessions.
Q. What should I bring to class?
A. A swimsuit (women: modest one piece, men: trunks or jammers), a towel, cap and goggles are recommended, pen or pencil, notebook for notes, water bottle, and a lunch/snacks. You will receive a loan book and our own pocket mask the first day of the course and these things should be brought to every course session.
Q. What happens if I lose/destroy my loan textbook?
A. You will be charged a replacement fee of $35 and you will not receiver your certification until the replacement fee is paid.
Q. What are the keys to success?
A. It is imperative that you are committed to this course. You need to feel comfortable in the water, be a strong swimmer, read the textbook and complete homework assignments in order to be successful.
Q. Where do I get the textbook?
A. A digital textbook is available online by clicking here and will be emailed to you prior to the start of the course. A loan text will be given to each student at the first course session and will need to be returned upon completion of the course.
Q. What is the difference between Lifeguard training, Lifeguard Review, and Lifeguard Instructor?
A. Lifeguard Training certifies students in basic rescue techniques and emergency care and is for anyone who has never taken a lifeguarding course before or someone whose certification has expired. Lifeguard Reviews are for those who currently hold a valid Lifeguarding certification and want to renew their certification for another 2 years. Lifeguard Instructor courses are for those who are certified lifeguards and want to because authorized to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguard Program.
Q. What are the course prerequisites for Lifeguard Training?
A. Prerequisites for American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification:
- Be 15 years of age by the last day of the course.
- Swim Prerequisite 1:
- 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.
- Swim Prerequisite 2:
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).
- Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) 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.
Q. What documentation is needed for proof of age?
A. You need to bring a driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate and picture ID to the first course session. School ID’s are fine when brought with a birth certificate.
Q. What certifications are awarded to students who successfully complete a Lifeguarding course?
A. One certification is issued. The certification name is Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED and is valid for 2 years from the date of completion.
Q. Has the validity period of the Lifeguarding certificate changed?
A. Yes. The validity period for Lifeguarding is 2 years and includes professional rescuer-level CPR/AED as well as First Aid.
Q. What if I need a replacement certification, who do I contact?
A. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) give the ARC representative your name, the name of the instructor and the date you completed training.
Q. Is the Waterfront Skills or Waterparks Skills certification still valid if the Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification has expired?
A. No. A Waterfront or Waterpark Skills certification is only valid along with a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Q. If a participant is already certified in CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Healthcare Providers, is he or she still required to participate in the CPR portions of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Review course?
A. Yes. Lifeguarding participants must successfully complete all lessons of the Lifeguarding course or
Lifeguarding Review course. The CPR/AED portions of the Lifeguarding courses are fully incorporated within the Lifeguarding course. The certification for the Lifeguarding course is one certification that includes professional rescuer CPR as a part of it. There is no separate certification for the CPR portion of the Lifeguarding course.
Q. Who is eligible to participate in a Lifeguarding Review course?
A. The Lifeguarding Review course is designed for individuals with a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED or those whose certification has expired 30 days prior to the first day of the review.
Q. Is there a crossover course for basic-level lifeguards certified/licensed in lifeguard training by another training agency, such as the YMCA, Ellis and Associates or StarGuard?
A. No. Individuals must successfully complete the full Lifeguarding course to receive certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.