Train To Save Lives.
Build the skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. Club Fit offers American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, recertification, CPR/AED training, Waterfront training and Water Safety Instructor certification.
More Than A Skill. A Responsibility.
Lifeguard training prepares participants to recognize dangerous situations, respond to aquatic emergencies and provide professional-level care until emergency medical personnel arrive.
What Are You Training For?
Start with the course that matches your current certification and the skills you need.
Lifeguard Training Initial Certification.
This course is intended for someone who does not have a current Lifeguard Certification. Includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid. This certification prepares a lifeguard to work at a pool.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.
Age Requirements
Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the last scheduled day of the course and show proof of age at the pre-course test.
Lifeguard Training Prerequisites
- Successfully complete a 300-yard continuous swim, proficiently demonstrating the front crawl and breaststroke. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Tread water for 2 consecutive minutes, using only the legs and without support. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
- Complete Timed Brick Test (1 minute and 40 seconds):
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound brick.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick 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.
Course Facts
- Certificate Issued and Validity Period: The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. However, the NYS Board of Health requires lifeguards to be re-certified annually in CPR.
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course is included within the Lifeguard Training Course.
- Pocket mask is required for CPR. Students may bring their own, or purchase one from the course instructor.
Student Expectations
- Arrive on time to each and every class session. Due to the condensed format, exceptions cannot be made. A missed session constitutes a failure. Excessive tardiness (more than 20 minutes) constitutes an automatic failure.
- Students must attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Successfully pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%.
- Complete all homework assignments, including all hours of online learning.
3-Day Course Structure
Strong Skills.
Calm Response.
All Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor offerings are “Blended Learning Courses.” This means that a portion of the course will be taken online, prior to the start of the course. Upon completion of Blended Learning, you will be prompted to print your “training completion” record. Please bring this to the first day of your course.
If a participant does not access the Blended Learning link prior to 48 hours before the start of class, there is a $20 penalty to gain access to complete the online learning component.
Waterfront Lifeguard Training.
Waterfront Lifeguards learn the skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found in public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds. Candidates learn and demonstrate how to perform Waterfront Rescue Skills safely and effectively, preparing them to work at either a pool or a waterfront location.
Waterfront Prerequisites
- Candidates must possess a current Lifeguard Training certificate.
- Swim 550 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Tread water for 2 consecutive minutes, using only the legs and without support. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
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Complete Timed Brick Test (1 minute and 40 seconds):
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound brick.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.
- Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.
Check Back For New Sessions.
New Waterfront Lifeguard Training dates will be posted here as sessions become available.
3-Day Waterfront Course
Club Fit reserves the right to cancel and reschedule a course when less than three participants have signed up. In the event that a participant enrolled in a class and is unable to attend, they are required to give two weeks notice in order to receive a full refund or be placed into another course. If a participant fails the swimming portion of Lifeguard Training, they will be eligible to receive a refund, less a processing fee valued at one-third of the price of the course. Swim lessons are available to assist participants with preparation for the course at the standard swim lesson rates. Participants who do not show up for a course they are enrolled in will be billed for the full amount of the course and will not be eligible to receive a refund.
More Ways To Get Certified.
Lifeguard Re-Certification
Our Recertification course is intended for someone who possesses a non-expired American Red Cross Lifeguard certificate. This is a condensed version of our Lifeguard Training class.
CPR/AED For Professional Rescuer
The American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer course will train professional-level rescuers to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants until more advanced medical personnel can take over.
Certification & Re-Certification Details
To qualify for re-certification, certifications may not be more than 15 days lapsed. Refunds will only be issued to participants who have a written request two weeks prior to the start of class.
Additional fees to the American Red Cross are paid to the instructor on the first day of class. These fees are for the Certification and the Blended Learning portion of the course.
The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. However, the NYS Board of Health requires lifeguards to be re-certified annually in CPR.
CPR Pocket Mask Requirement
This class requires that you have a CPR Pocket Mask. You can either bring your own, or purchase one for an additional $20.
Water Safety Instructor
Learn American Red Cross standards for teaching swimming, stroke technique and water safety. Candidates must be at least 16 years old and demonstrate strong stroke proficiency.
Know Before You Go.
These courses move quickly and require full participation. Make sure you understand the attendance, online learning and certification requirements before registering.
Blended Learning
Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor offerings use blended learning. Online coursework must be completed before the in-person course begins.
Attendance Is Required
Participants must attend all scheduled sessions. Because of the condensed course format, missed sessions can result in course failure.
Skills + Written Exams
Students must demonstrate competency in required skills and earn at least 80 percent on required final written exams.
CPR Pocket Mask
A CPR pocket mask is required for CPR training. Participants may bring their own or purchase one from the course instructor.
Upcoming Training Sessions.
Browse upcoming Lifeguard Training and certification opportunities below.
Events
Train Today. Be Ready Tomorrow.
Pre-registration is required for American Red Cross training. Choose the course and session that works for you and begin your certification process.