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Lifeguard Certification

Child in Olympic-size pool swimming goggles and a swim cap

About

Safeguarding the Water

 

Highlander Aquatics offers a lifeguard certification course through the American Red Cross. This intensive program is designed for those who aspire to become certified lifeguards, equipped with essential skills to respond to aquatic emergencies effectively.

Course Overview

The course focuses on:

  • Prevention and Recognition: Learn to identify potential dangers in both shallow and deep water areas and implement preventive measures to ensure a safe swimming environment.
  • Emergency Response: Acquire the knowledge and skills to address breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until professional medical services arrive.

Learning Format

The course utilizes a blended learning model that combines engaging online coursework with dynamic in-person training sessions.

This approach offers flexibility while ensuring comprehensive learning and practical skill application.

Participant Requirements

To enroll in this course, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Age: Must be at least 15 years old by the last scheduled class session.

Swimming Skills Evaluation

Participants must pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation during the first in-person session, which consists of two parts:

  • Endurance Swim:
    • Jump in, submerge, resurface, and swim 150 yards continuously.
    • Tread water for 2 minutes using only your legs.
    • Swim an additional 50 yards with your face in the water, demonstrating good breath control.
    • Acceptable strokes include front crawl and breaststroke.
  • Timed event:
    • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards (face in or out).
    • Perform a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound object from a depth of 7 to 10 feet.
    • Swim back 20 yards on your back while holding the object at the surface, using both hands, and exit the water without a ladder or steps. Completion time must be under 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Certification and Benefits

Upon successfully completing the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross lifeguarding certificate (including deep water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. This certification is valid for 2 years and prepares candidates for careers in various aquatic settings.

Important Considerations

The skill practice sessions involve strenuous physical activity, and we prioritize participant safety. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate fully due to a medical condition or disability, please contact us before the first in-person session. We encourage you to consult a healthcare professional if necessary.

For more information, and to register, please contact Mike Curley at mcurley@lhprep.org or 407-206-1900 x1180.