The YMCA offers American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguard training for ages 15 and up. Certifications and training classes are offered in two formats:

  • Traditional classroom
  • Blended—lessons are completed online and skills are practiced in class

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Lifeguarding Courses

This course requires participants to complete online learning prior to in-class skills sessions.  Please make sure to provide a valid email address when completing registration.

This course combines American Red Cross Lifeguarding and Emergency Oxygen Administration.

The lifeguarding content will provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

The emergency oxygen content will help participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to a victim of a breathing emergency using breathing devices, including resuscitation masks, bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs) and emergency oxygen.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

  • Must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Complete the following events in 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. 
    • 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length

  • Approximately 7 hours, 25 minutes for online learning
  • Approximately 21 hours for in-class skills
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$230

FIND A CLASS

An abbreviated Lifeguarding course that briefly reviews course information and allows practice of skills and knowledge before testing. The review course format optimizes a participant’s ability to successfully complete the knowledge and skills evaluations.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the review course.

Length

  • Approximately 11 hours
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$110

FIND A CLASS

Shallow Water Lifeguarding Courses

This course requires participants to complete online learning prior to in-class skills sessions. Please make sure to provide a valid email address when completing registration.

This course combines American Red Cross Lifeguarding and Emergency Oxygen Administration.

The lifeguarding content will provide entry-level shallow water lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies in shallow water up to 5 feet deep and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

The emergency oxygen content will help participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to a victim of a breathing emergency using breathing devices, including resuscitation masks, bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs) and emergency oxygen.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive American Red Cross certificate for Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

  • Must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course.
  • Swim 100 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Complete the following events in 50 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. 
    • Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 4-5 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 so they are able to get a breath.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length

  • Approximately 7 hours, 25 minutes for online learning
  • Approximately 19 hours, 30 minutes for in-class skills
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Shallow Water Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$230

FIND A CLASS

An abbreviated Lifeguarding course that briefly reviews course information for shallow water and allows practice of skills and knowledge before testing. The review course format optimizes a participant’s ability to successfully complete the knowledge and skills evaluations.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the review course.

Length

  • Approximately 10 hours
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Shallow Water Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$110

FIND A CLASS

This course requires participants to complete online learning prior to in-class skills sessions. Please make sure to provide a valid email address when completing registration.

This course combines American Red Cross Lifeguarding and Emergency Oxygen Administration.

The lifeguarding content will provide entry-level shallow water lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies in shallow water up to 7 feet deep and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

The emergency oxygen content will help participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to a victim of a breathing emergency using breathing devices, including resuscitation masks, bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs) and emergency oxygen.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive American Red Cross certificate for Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 7 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

  • Must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Complete the following events in 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. 
    • 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length

  • Approximately 7 hours, 25 minutes for online learning
  • Approximately 20 hours for in-class skills
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$230

FIND A CLASS

An abbreviated Lifeguarding course that briefly reviews course information for shallow water and allows practice of skills and knowledge before testing. The review course format optimizes a participant’s ability to successfully complete the knowledge and skills evaluations.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 7 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 7 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the review course.

Length

  • Approximately 10 hours, 30 minutes
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$110

FIND A CLASS

Waterfront Lifeguarding Courses

This course requires participants to complete online learning prior to in-class skills sessions. Please make sure to provide a valid email address when completing registration.

This course combines the American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding and Emergency Oxygen Administration curriculum. The blended learning format allows students to work independently on theory through a series of informational videos and tutorials. They then present what skills they learned in a hands-on class.

The lifeguarding content provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. This course also includes the American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Module where students will learn the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds in addition to standard lifeguarding skills.

The emergency oxygen content will help participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to a victim of a breathing emergency using breathing devices, including resuscitation masks, bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs) and emergency oxygen.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive American Red Cross certificate for Waterfront Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

  • Must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course.
  • Swim 550 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
  • Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4-7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.
  • Complete the following events in 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. 
    • 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. 
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length

  • Approximately 7 hours, 25 minutes for online learning
  • Approximately 24 hours for in-class skills
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$270

FIND A CLASS

An abbreviated Waterfront Lifeguarding course that briefly reviews course information and allows practice of skills and knowledge before testing. The review course format optimizes a participant’s ability to successfully complete the knowledge and skills evaluations.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Waterfront Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Waterfront Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the review course.

Length

  • Approximately 15 hours for in class skills
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Oxygen, Lifeguarding Skills, and Waterfront Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$135

FIND A CLASS

The purpose of the Waterfront skills module is to teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive American Red Cross certificate indicating Waterfront Skills valid for 2 years. (The Waterfront Skills certificate is only valid when accompanied by a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.)

Prerequisites

  • Candidates must have a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age by the end of the course.
  • Swim 550 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed.
  • Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4-7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.
  • Complete the following events in 1 minute, 40 seconds:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water.
    • 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
    • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Length

  • Approximately 5 hours, 40 minutes
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions of the written exam.

Price

$50

FIND A CLASS

Lifeguarding Bridge Courses

The purpose of the bridge course is to give individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding or Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding certification the opportunity to gain additional knowledge, skills and certification in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program. 

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding /First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 5 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the bridge course.

Length

  • Approximately 13 hours, 30 minutes
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Shallow Water Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$110

FIND A CLASS

The purpose of the bridge course is to give individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding (5-7ft) certification the opportunity to gain additional knowledge, skills and certification in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program.

Upon completion of this course participants will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding /First Aid/CPR/AED valid for 2 years and an American Red Cross Administering Emergency Oxygen valid for 2 years.

Prerequisites

Individuals with a current Shallow Water Lifeguarding (up to 5 ft)/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate may participate in the bridge course.

Length

  • Approximately 7 hours
  • Course times may vary to include breaks

Certification Requirements

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities.
  • Demonstrate competency in all required final rescue skill scenarios.
  • Pass the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Lifeguarding Skills final written exams with minimum grades of 80 percent.

Price

$110

FIND A CLASS